by our College Data Analytics TeamDid you know almost all Pacific Salmon species are threatened or endangered? Did you know you could help combat this? A degree in fisheries sciences will allow you to analyze this issue, brainstorm solutions, and help create new policies.
This degree will provide the necessary skills to work with both salt and fresh water fish and shellfish in order to help maintain populations and improve husbandry and production techniques.
Along with classes in aquatic and marine biology, freshwater and salt-water ecosystems, fishing policy and regulation, math, and computer science, this major also requires business and management classes to teach how to manage recreational and commercial fishing operations.
In 2020-2021, fisheries sciences was the 290th most popular major nationwide with 483 degrees awarded. This is approximately the same as the 481 graduates the prior year.
This year's Best Fisheries Sciences Schools ranking compares 15 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Explore this or one of our many other custom fisheries rankings further below.
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
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A career in Fisheries Sciences requires an interest in fisheries, fishing operations, fish and their natural environments. If you are comfortable handling fish and shellfish and enjoy conducting research both outdoors and in a lab, this major may be for you.
A background in science, math, and computers will be helpful, as this career requires a strong understanding of these aquatic animals and their relationship to the natural environment. This career path also requires constant communication with other scientists, conservationists, and the general public making strong communication and interpersonal skills a plus.
The best way to get involved in a career in fisheries sciences is to get hands-on experience through and internship or summer job working with fish and shellfish. In an internship, you will work closely with a fishery scientist or manager and learn about conducting research, maintaining fish populations, conservation, and other skills necessary for a career in this field.
fisheries sciences degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. Specific fisheries careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
There are various different levels of fisheries degrees. You can spend many years getting as high as a in fisheries sciences to something that takes less time like a . The type of fisheries degree you choose will determine how long it takes to get your diploma.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to fisheries, with approximately 44.6% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for fisheries workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 44.5% |
| High School Diploma | 21.2% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 20.4% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 3.7% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 3.2% |
Most workers in fisheries have at least a associate degree. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in fisheries sciences have received.
This of course varies depending on which fisheries career you choose.
There are a wide variety of careers available to Fisheries Sciences and Management majors. Graduates work for research labs, state or government conservation and natural resource agencies such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. National Park Service, and the Environmental Protection Agency, fish hatcheries, or with volunteer programs.
The job market for fisheries sciences is steady, but there tends to be more opportunities and increased salaries for students who go on to receive their M.S. An advanced degree allows for more opportunities for advancement to managerial positions within organizations.
Want a job when you graduate with your fisheries degree? Fisheries Sciences careers are expected to grow 2.3% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to fisheries sciences.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Worker Supervisors | 49,700 | 2.1% |
| Fish and Game Wardens | 7,300 | 4.3% |
Recently graduated fisheries sciences students earned an average of $29,766 in 2019-2020. Earnings can range from as low as $21,754 to as high as $46,340. As you might expect, salaries for fisheries graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for fisheries sciences graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers fisheries grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Fish and Game Wardens | $59,260 |
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Worker Supervisors | $50,790 |
With over 50 different fisheries degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased fisheries school rankings to help you with this.
Learn about other programs related to Fisheries Sciences that might interest you.
One of 5 majors within the Natural Resources & Conservation area of study, Fisheries Sciences has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Natural Resources Conservation | 22,254 |
| Natural Resource Management | 2,933 |
| Wildlife Management | 2,449 |
| Forestry | 2,233 |
| Natural Resources Conservation (Other) | 151 |
