Finfish Fishing Revenue Benchmarks
The average finfish fishing business in the United States generates $910K in annual revenue, according to the U.S. Census Bureau Statistics of U.S. Businesses (SUSB 2021). There are 1,506 finfish fishing businesses in the U.S., employing 3,105 workers with an average profit margin of 22.0%. The average employee in this industry earns $91K per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics QCEW 2023).
What Does a Finfish Fishing Business Actually Do?
Commercial fishing operations targeting salmon, cod, halibut, tuna, and other finfish species. Highly regulated by NOAA and state agencies via quotas, seasons, and gear restrictions. Charter fishing is a separate segment.
Who buys: Wholesale seafood buyers, direct-to-consumer, restaurants, charter customers.
Average Revenue
$910K
per year
Profit Margin
22.0%
industry average
Revenue / Employee
$442K
per year
Total Businesses
1,506
in the US
Est. Owner Income
$200K
small business avg
Labor Cost
20.0%
of revenue
Avg Employee Wage
$91K
per year (BLS)
Market Saturation
0.5
firms per 100K people
How Much Do Finfish Fishing Charge?
Commercial fishing operations are paid dock-side prices per pound, varying dramatically by species and season.
| Service | Typical range |
|---|---|
Salmon (per lb, wholesale) | $3–15/lb |
Cod / halibut | $4–10/lb |
Tuna (species-dependent) | $5–40/lb |
Charter fishing (per person, per day) | $150–500 |
Ranges based on industry rate surveys and typical published pricing. Actual quotes vary by city, business size, and job complexity.
Complete finfish fishing business plan
A 12-section data-backed business plan for a finfish fishing business — executive summary, market analysis, competitive landscape, revenue model, 3-year financial projections, operations, marketing, staffing, funding request. Pre-populated with real Census, IRS, and BLS data on this industry. Free to view.
Cost Structure — Where Every $100 in Revenue Goes
Approximate P&L breakdown for the finfish fishing industry. Labor share and net profit are grounded in Census SUSB and IRS SOI data. Other lines are split using sector-typical ratios.
| Category | Per $100 revenue | Per typical business | What's in it |
|---|---|---|---|
Seed, feed, fertilizer | $35 | $317K | Inputs — the direct materials to produce the crop or raise the animal. |
Wages & benefits | $20 | $182K | Payroll for all employees at the business (owner comp not included for small owner-operators). |
Rent & facilities | $6 | $53K | Rent or mortgage on business location plus utilities tied to the space. |
Marketing & advertising | $2 | $16K | Google/Meta ads, SEO, print, referral fees, event sponsorships. |
Other operating costs | $16 | $143K | Equipment depreciation, fuel, insurance, veterinary, water rights. |
Net profit | $22 | $200K | What remains for the owner or shareholders after all business expenses. |
Directionally accurate for a typical business in the industry. Individual businesses vary widely — a franchise may run a very different cost mix from an independent, and older established businesses often have lower labor share than newer ones.
Average Revenue by Business Size
Industry Dynamics (Census BDS 2023)
New Business Rate
16.17%
openings/year
Closure Rate
19.66%
closings/year
Net Job Growth
-11.27%
annual
Businesses Closed
224
in 2023
Firm Count Trend
Should You Start a Finfish Fishing Business?
Startup Cost
$50K – $250K
Break-Even
9 months
5-Year Survival Rate
50.0%
Related Industries
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does a finfish fishing business do?
- Commercial fishing operations targeting salmon, cod, halibut, tuna, and other finfish species. Highly regulated by NOAA and state agencies via quotas, seasons, and gear restrictions. Charter fishing is a separate segment. Wholesale seafood buyers, direct-to-consumer, restaurants, charter customers.
- How much do finfish fishing charge?
- Commercial fishing operations are paid dock-side prices per pound, varying dramatically by species and season. See the pricing table above for typical rates by service type.
- How much does the average finfish fishing make per year?
- The average finfish fishing business generates $910K in annual revenue, based on U.S. Census Bureau data (SUSB 2021). After expenses, the estimated owner profit is $200K per year at a 22.0% profit margin.
- How many finfish fishing businesses are there in the US?
- There are 1,506 finfish fishing businesses operating in the United States, employing a total of 3,105 workers.
- How much does it cost to start a finfish fishing business?
- Startup costs for a finfish fishing business typically range from $50K to $250K, with a 5-year survival rate of 50.0%.
- What is the average salary in the finfish fishing industry?
- The average employee in the finfish fishing industry earns $91K per year, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data (QCEW 2023).
Industry Growth & Survival
The finfish fishing industry is contracting — losing jobs at a net rate of 11.3% per year. More establishments are closing (19.7%) than opening (16.2%), suggesting market challenges.
Approximately 33% of finfish fishing businesses survive their first 5 years. This is below the national average (~50%) — new entrants face elevated risk of failure. Ensure adequate capitalization. In 2023, 224 firms in this industry closed permanently.
Employment & Wages
The average employee in the finfish fishing industry earns $90,840/year. This is significantly above the national average of ~$65K, reflecting the skilled nature of this work. With 983 establishments employing 3,330 people, the typical business has about 3 employees. Most businesses in this industry are small operations — often owner-operated with minimal staff.
Industry Trend (2000–2023)
The finfish fishing industry has declined 3% since 2000 (from 1,383 to 1,344 firms).
See full historical statistics →Compare Finfish Fishing revenue with other industries: