Fish and Seafood Plant Workers

(NOC 9463)

in All Manufacturing and Utilities

This group includes fish and seafood plant machine operators who set up and use machinery to process and package fish and seafood products, and fish and seafood plant cutters and cleaners who cut, trim and clean fish or seafood by hand. Fish and seafood plant workers work in fish and seafood processing plants.

Job Outlook

Good

Estimate Decline employment change, 2021-2023
Estimate 45 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
Estimate Moderate rate of unemployment in 2022

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

Estimate 435 employment change, 2021-2023
Estimate 1945 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

Growth in Nova Scotia's fish and seafood sector continues to generate strong demand for this occupation. Jobs are often seasonal and can be physically challenging though new technologies are being introduced to assist with physical demands. Opportunities are more common in remote areas of the province.

Hourly Pay

$14.50

Minimum

$14.55

Median

$18.10

Maximum

Annual Pay

$2,186

Minimum

$12,539

Median

$36,046

Maximum

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

Hourly Pay

$14.00

Minimum

$20.80

Median

$33.00

Maximum

Annual Pay

$6,056

Minimum

$30,111

Median

$70,518

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Job duties

Fish and seafood plant machine operators:

Set up and use machines to clean, cut, cook, smoke, brine, dehydrate, or otherwise process fish or seafood products.
Set up and use machines to can, bag, box or otherwise package fish and seafood products.
Check products and packaging for defects and to make sure they meet company standards and make corrective machine adjustments as needed.
Record production information like quantity, weight, date and type of products packaged.

Fish and seafood plant cutters and cleaners:

Cut, clean and trim fish or seafood prior to marketing or further processing.
Scrape away scales, cut fish, separate fillets and remove scrap parts using knife.
Check fish fillets to determine optimal number and size of fillet sections, cut sections according to specifications and place in container for weighing.
Disjoint and remove meat from lobsters or other crustaceans preparatory to canning or further processing.

Sample job titles

fish cleaner and cutter - fish processing
fish cutting machine operator - fish processing
fish plant worker
fish processor
lobster processor - fish processing
seafood preparer - fish and seafood processing

Skills

You should be responsible, alert, and in good physical health. Coordination, agility, and mechanical skills are important. You must also be able to take direction and carry out instructions given by a supervisor.

Job requirements

Some high school education may be required.
On-the-job training is required.

Other considerations

Shiftwork is common. Movement to supervisor positions is possible with experience.

By the numbers

Quick look

1,335

employed in 2016

66.7%

employed full-time

1.1%

self employed

43.1%

56.9%

44.5

median age

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

15,275

employed in 2016

83.2%

employed full-time

3.2%

self employed

27.6%

72.4%

44.7

median age

Where will I likely work?

59.3%

Southern

$14,383 median annual income

16.8%

Cape Breton

$9,854 median annual income

10.4%

Halifax

$16,913 median annual income

9.7%

North Shore

$10,963 median annual income

3.7%

Annapolis Valley

$9,539 median annual income

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

91.4%

Manufacturing

6.3%

Wholesale trade

1.1%

Health care and social assistance

1.1%

Accommodation and food services

What is the age of Employment?

24.0%

15-24

22.0%

45-54

19.0%

55-64

14.0%

25-34

13.0%

35-44

7.0%

65+

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

24.5%

45-54

20.8%

55-64

19.3%

35-44

16.5%

25-34

15.0%

15-24

Top levels of education

43.1%

Less than high school

$9,674 median annual income

34.5%

High school

$13,601 median annual income

14.2%

College Diploma

$19,799 median annual income

5.6%

Trade Certification

$15,798 median annual income

1.5%

Bachelor

N/A

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

38.1%

High school

$28,505 median annual income

23.3%

Less than high school

$19,224 median annual income

19.9%

College Diploma

$38,781 median annual income

12.2%

Trade Certification

$43,975 median annual income

4.5%

Bachelor

$39,715 median annual income

Education & training

High School Diploma or Equivalent

High School Program

Adults without a high school diploma can contact the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) for tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL oversees adult education programs in Nova Scotia. NSSAL partners with the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations to deliver programs. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED.

Institutions providing this program

Universite Sainte-Anne

Pointe-de-l'Église, NS

admission@usainteanne.ca

Website

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Website

Adult High Schools

Various, NS

Website

Community Learning Organizations