Prevailing Wage for Fishing and Hunting Workers
Prevailing wage for Fishing and Hunting Workers (SOC 45-3031) is set by the DOL using regional Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. Whether you work as a Commercial Fisherman, Deckhand, or Commercial Fishing Vessel Operator, the floor shifts significantly by worksite city. DOL assigns four experience levels, and sponsored workers must meet the level matching their role scope.
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Entry-level workers with less than two years of experience in fishing, trapping, or related harvesting operations. Typically follows direct supervision, handles basic net-setting, line-handling, or catch-sorting tasks with limited independent judgment.
Qualified workers with two to four years of hands-on fishing or hunting experience. Performs standard vessel operations or trapping duties with moderate supervision. Level 2 is the most common filing level for sponsored Fishing and Hunting Workers.
Experienced workers who operate independently across most fishing or hunting tasks, including vessel navigation assistance, gear maintenance oversight, or crew coordination. Typically holds four or more years of documented field experience in the occupation.
Fully competent professionals directing fishing operations, leading crews aboard commercial vessels, or managing trapping territories at a senior level. Sets methods, trains junior workers, and operates with full autonomy. Typically holds six or more years of progressive experience.
Prevailing Wage for Fishing and Hunting Workers by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
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See which U.S. employers are actively hiring for Fishing and Hunting Workers and sponsoring H-1B, OPT, and green card visas at or above the prevailing wage.
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Verify your worksite state before comparing wages
Prevailing wages for commercial fishing and hunting workers vary sharply by state. Washington metros like Longview and Olympia post significantly higher floors than Puerto Rico metros. Your LCA must list the actual worksite, so compare wages for the port or harvest region, not company headquarters.
Confirm vessel operator duties match your SOC filing
Employers sometimes file Commercial Fishing Vessel Operators under Sailors or Captains (SOC 53-5021), which carries a different prevailing wage floor. If your duties match the DOL description for SOC 45-3031, confirm the LCA lists that code to avoid an underpayment gap.
Watch for seasonal bonus exclusions in your offer
Catch-share bonuses and seasonal productivity payments common in commercial fishing are frequently excluded from the H-1B prevailing wage calculation. Confirm your base wages alone clear the DOL floor before factoring in any variable compensation tied to harvest volume.
Search Migrate Mate for employers who have sponsored this role
Fishing and hunting worker sponsorships are concentrated among a small group of commercial seafood processors and vessel operators. Migrate Mate shows which employers have a documented H-1B or green card sponsorship history for this occupation, helping you target outreach efficiently.
Jobs for Fishing and Hunting Workers are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Jobs for Fishing and Hunting WorkersPrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 45-3031.00 alongside Fishing and Hunting Workers, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Commercial Fisherman Prevailing Wage
Commercial Fisherman Prevailing Wage
Commercial Fisherman positions fall under SOC 45-3031.00 (Fishing and Hunting Workers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Commercial Fishing Vessel Operator Prevailing Wage
Commercial Fishing Vessel Operator Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Commercial Fishing Vessel Operator for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 45-3031.00 (Fishing and Hunting Workers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Deckhand Prevailing Wage
Deckhand Prevailing Wage
Deckhand is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 45-3031.00 (Fishing and Hunting Workers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Fisherman Prevailing Wage
Fisherman Prevailing Wage
Fisherman positions fall under SOC 45-3031.00 (Fishing and Hunting Workers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Fur Trapper Prevailing Wage
Fur Trapper Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Fur Trapper for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 45-3031.00 (Fishing and Hunting Workers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Hunter Prevailing Wage
Hunter Prevailing Wage
Hunter is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 45-3031.00 (Fishing and Hunting Workers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Lobster Fisherman Prevailing Wage
Lobster Fisherman Prevailing Wage
Lobster Fisherman positions fall under SOC 45-3031.00 (Fishing and Hunting Workers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Nuisance Trapper Prevailing Wage
Nuisance Trapper Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Nuisance Trapper for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 45-3031.00 (Fishing and Hunting Workers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Trapper Prevailing Wage
Trapper Prevailing Wage
Trapper is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 45-3031.00 (Fishing and Hunting Workers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Wildlife Control Operator Prevailing Wage
Wildlife Control Operator Prevailing Wage
Wildlife Control Operator positions fall under SOC 45-3031.00 (Fishing and Hunting Workers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Fishing and Hunting Workers?
DOL calculates prevailing wages using Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys administered by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For SOC 45-3031, survey data is collected from employers across fishing, hunting, and trapping industries in each geographic area. OFLC then converts the raw survey percentiles into four wage levels that employers must meet or exceed on an approved Labor Condition Application before sponsoring a worker.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I know which one applies to my offer?
DOL assigns levels based on experience and job complexity. Level 1 covers entry-level roles with close supervision. Level 2 applies to qualified workers performing standard duties. Level 3 covers experienced workers with significant independent responsibility. Level 4 applies to senior or lead roles directing operations. Review the employer's LCA, which must state the level, and confirm the duties description matches your actual day-to-day scope on the vessel or in the field.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same fishing or hunting role vary so much by city?
DOL bases wages on regional OES surveys, which capture local labor market conditions. Commercial fishing wages in Washington state reflect a higher cost of living and stronger demand from Pacific seafood processors, while wages in Puerto Rico metros reflect a lower regional baseline. The worksite location on the LCA, not the employer's home office, determines which metro's wage floor applies, so workers rotating between ports must track each worksite separately.
What happens if a sponsored offer is below the prevailing wage floor for Fishing and Hunting Workers?
USCIS will not approve an H-1B or other sponsored petition if the underlying LCA lists a wage below the applicable DOL prevailing wage. DOL can also audit filed LCAs and require back-pay if a worker was underpaid during the sponsorship period. OFLC may debar employers from future filings for repeated violations. If your offer letter shows a wage below the floor for your metro and level, request a revised offer before the LCA is filed.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for a Fishing and Hunting Workers position at a specific U.S. location?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool, which lets you search by SOC code 45-3031 and metro area to retrieve the four wage levels directly from DOL data. Cross-check with O*NET for the occupation profile and wage bands. For sponsored job leads, Migrate Mate lists employers with verified sponsorship histories for fishing and hunting roles, helping you identify companies likely to file an LCA at or above the prevailing wage in your target location.
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