In any kind of weather, a lobster fisherman goes out to sea to set traps for lobsters and then hauls them in. He or she then brings the lobsters back to land to sell to people and restaurants. The job can be dangerous, especially when the deck is slippery from sleet. For many professionals, this is a seasonal profession, due to local fishing regulations and weather conditions.
The U.S. Department of Labor says that the average yearly salary for fishers and related fishing workers, such as lobster fishermen, is $33,430. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2012. Salaries range from $24,130 to $58,470. No formal education is required to become a lobster fisherman. Professionals learn the necessary skills from on-the-job training.
The average salary of a lobster fisherman often varies by region. The job site Indeed says that the average salary for a lobster fisherman in Florida is $40,000 a year, $37,000 a year in Maine, $33,000 a year in Alaska, $47,000 a year in California, and $51,000 a year in Massachusetts.
Lobster fishing is one of the most iconic professions associated with the northeastern United States. Hardy individuals head out on boats before dawn to haul up traps filled with these coveted crustaceans. But how much do these intrepid lobstermen actually earn from all their hard work?
In this article, we’ll explore lobster fishermen salaries and what impacts their annual pay. We’ll look at average earnings, top salaries, and factors like experience, boat size, and location that affect a lobsterman’s income. Read on to learn just how lucrative (or challenging) it can be to make a living catching lobsters along the rocky Atlantic coast.
Average Annual Lobster Fisherman Salary
According to recent salary data, the average annual income for a lobster fisherman falls around $40,436. At this earnings level, typical monthly pay works out to $3,369.50. This accounts for full-time lobstermen across the country.
Some key percentiles for lobster fisherman pay:
- Top 10% earn over $50,000 annually or $4,166 monthly
- Top 25% earn over $44,000 annually or $3,666 monthly
- Bottom 25% earn under $32,000 annually or $2,666 monthly
So while top earning lobstermen can make a comfortable living, for many it’s a modest income that requires hard work and long hours. Next let’s look at what causes these salary differences among lobster fishermen.
Factors That Impact Lobster Fishing Earnings
A number of factors contribute to a lobster fisherman’s annual income level and their spot in the earnings percentile. Key factors include:
1. Experience Level
The most seasoned lobstermen command the highest incomes in the profession. With decades of experience under their belts, veteran lobstermen have the skills and knowledge needed to maximize their catches. They know the best spots, optimal trapping techniques, and have cultivated steady buyers. Experienced captains also operate larger vessels and more traps.
In comparison, rookie lobstermen face a steep learning curve and often earn far less in their first few seasons. It takes years to build up contacts and capital in the lobster industry. Many newcomers start as sternmen on established boats to gain experience before getting their own license.
2. Size of Fishing Operation
Bigger boats and more traps equal bigger paydays. Lobstermen who own large vessels and manage hundreds of traps have the capabilities to haul in more crustaceans and generate higher gross income.
For example, lobster boats in Maine are limited to 800 traps maximum. A lobsterman with 800 traps has greater earning power than one with only the 400 trap minimum. Traps cost over $100 each plus maintenance, so trap count signifies a lobster fishing business’s size and investment.
3. Geography & Lobster Supply
Where a lobsterman fishes greatly impacts how much they earn due to regulations and lobster population Seasons, trap limits, and legal harvesting sizes vary significantly between states like Maine, Massachusetts, and California
In regions with declining lobster populations, fishermen face tighter restrictions and falling catches. Lobster availability shifts year to year, forcing fishermen to adapt and diversify. Proximity to dealers and buyers is also a geographic factor. Remote fishermen face higher transportation costs.
4. Commercial Fishing Permits
Lobster fishing is a highly regulated commercial industry. To legally catch and sell lobsters, fishermen must hold permits and licenses for their state. The availability and cost of these limited permits affects one’s ability to profit from lobstering.
In Maine for example, commercial lobster licenses have long waitlists. Most new fishermen have to start as sternmen before getting their own permit, which can take 5+ years. Licenses also limit factors like allowable traps affecting income.
Steps to Becoming a Commercial Lobster Fisherman
To start earning an income catching lobster you first have to get into this competitive business. Here are the main steps:
- Get experience working on lobster boats as a sternman
- Take a safe boating and navigation course
- Purchase or gain access to a suitable lobster fishing vessel
- Obtain your commercial lobster fishing license for your state
- Buy traps, bait, and equipment
- Find a place to sell your lobster catch to dealers or co-ops
This investment makes entering the lobster industry challenging. Initial costs can run over $50,000 to acquire gear and get licensed before catching your first lobster. Financing options help many new fishermen get started.
Grants and Programs for Lobster Fishermen
Lobstermen can tap into a few resources aimed at supporting their essential small businesses. These include:
- Maine Seed Capital Tax Credit Program – offers tax rebates up to 60% on startup investments
- Targeted Lobster Traps Program – helps Maine lobstermen meet whale conservation rules
- Commercial Fishing Safety Grants – provides funding for gear, training, and vessel upgrades
- Maine Fishermen’s Forum Scholarships – awards financial aid for fishermen’s children’s education
Check with your state fishery commission to find programs available locally. Don’t overlook general small business help like the SBA and agricultural grants since fishing is vitally linked to these sectors.
Alternatives for Offseason Income
Since lobster fishing is a seasonal industry, many look for ways to supplement income during the winter months when catches decline. Alternatives that lobster fishermen pursue:
- Sternman work on boats fishing other species like groundfish
- Aquaculture jobs at fish farms or hatcheries
- Commercial truck driving or delivery work
- Construction, plowing, or landscaping services
- Restaurant work as a chef or kitchen staff
- Crafting lobster traps, nets, or other fishing gear
Diversifying income streams helps lobstermen endure the slow season when the waters are frozen over and lobsters migrate to deeper hides. Multiple jobs also provide a backup in case catches or prices drop unexpectedly.
Is Lobster Fishing a Good Career?
For those with an independent spirit and affinity for the sea, lobster fishing offers a unique vocation full of rewards and challenges. While it may not generate big paydays for all, the profession provides the pride and freedom of being self-employed on the open water. With hard work, persistence, and mastery of their fishery, many lobstermen find good living carrying on this historic trade.
Factors Contributing to Salary
A number of factors contribute to the average salary of a lobster fisherman, besides the area they trawl. Florida lobster fishermen often lose their jobs because of hurricanes, but California lobster fishermen don’t have to worry about that. Lobster regulations also vary by state, which greatly impacts earning potential. This includes rules about how many lobster fishing licenses a state gives out, how many lobsters a fisherman can catch each day, the minimum size of a lobster, and the weather.
So You Want To Be a Lobsterman?
FAQ
How much does a PEI lobster fisherman make?
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Community/Area
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Low ($/hour)
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Median ($/hour)
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Prince Edward Island
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16.66
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25.00
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Canada
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16.57
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25.00
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How much does a lobster fisherman make?
Professionals learn the necessary skills from on-the-job training. The average salary of a lobster fisherman often varies by region. According to the job site Indeed, the average salary of a lobster fisherman in Florida is $40,000 per year; $37,000 per year in Maine; $33,000 in Alaska; $47,000 in California; and $51,000 per year in Massachusetts.
How much are lobsters worth?
The lobsters were also worth more money; last year’s $725 million easily eclipsed the previous record of about $541 million in 2016. The per-pound price of lobster soared in 2021, which contributed to the record high value. The price to fishermen at the docks rose to $6.71 per pound, an increase of about 60% from 2020 and easily a state record.
How much does a pound of lobster cost?
“That first taste of lobster, that’s P.E.I. life,” says Bonnie McDonald. When CBC was on the wharf Tuesday, fishermen were talking about a dramatic $2 drop in the price most buyers were offering, around $8.50 a pound for canners and $9 for market-size lobster, down to $6.50 to $7 a pound.
Who is a Maine lobsterman?
Dina Spector/Business Insider Stewart is one of Maine’s 5,900 licensed lobster harvesters, who together haul in roughly 80% of U.S. landings of American lobster, worth more than $300 million. To experience the life of a Maine lobsterman, we headed to Portland, Me., and spent a day aboard Stewart’s 36-foot working lobster boat.