Aquaculture Farmer
SOC 11-9013.00 · ESCO 1312 · OSCA 151331
Role snapshot
Overview
Raises fish, shellfish, or aquatic plants in controlled environments, such as ponds, tanks, or ocean pens. Responsibilities include monitoring water quality, managing feeding regimes, and optimizing stocking densities to produce healthy stock for market. This role involves hands-on animal husbandry, equipment maintenance, and adherence to environmental regulations.
Contributes to sustainable food production and food security by efficiently cultivating aquatic species, reducing pressure on wild fish stocks, and providing high-quality seafood to consumers.
On the job
- Monitor water quality parameters (pH, oxygen, temperature, salinity) and adjust systems as needed
- Manage feeding schedules and ensure proper nutrition for aquatic stock
- Inspect and maintain aquaculture equipment, including pumps, filters, and aeration systems
- Implement disease prevention protocols and administer treatments when necessary
- Harvest and process aquatic products for market, ensuring quality and compliance
Tools & technology
Average salary
Job outlook
GrowingJob growth is expected to be above average over the next five years.
Education & training
A certificate, diploma, or bachelor's degree in aquaculture, marine biology, or a related field is often preferred, alongside practical experience.
AI impact outlook
Note — this is our current view. AI is moving fast, so we revisit these ratings.
Show how this was assessed Hide the detail
Note — this is our current view. AI is moving fast, so we revisit these ratings.
Show how this was assessed Hide the detailWhy this role received this rating
Core task exposure
moderate
How much of the role’s important work could AI perform?
Water quality monitoring, automated feeding, and disease prediction are highly exposed to AI and sensor technologies for optimization and early detection.
End-to-end automation
low
Can AI complete the work without substantial human involvement?
While systems can be highly automated, human judgment for disease intervention, complex equipment troubleshooting, and ethical harvesting remains essential.
Adoption pressure
high
How likely are employers to introduce AI into this work?
The aquaculture industry is rapidly adopting AI and automation to increase efficiency, yield, and disease control, with clear economic incentives.
Human dependence
moderate
How much does success depend on human judgement, relationships and accountability?
Interpreting complex data, troubleshooting system failures, making critical decisions during disease outbreaks, and ethical harvesting require significant human expertise.
Protective — a higher rating lowers the overall score.
Role adaptability
strong
How easily can the role evolve as AI takes on more tasks?
Farmers can adapt by transitioning to managing sophisticated automated systems, interpreting data analytics, and focusing on advanced stock health and system optimization.
Shown for context — not part of the score.
What AI may take on
These are the parts of the role most likely to be automated or significantly accelerated.
- Continuous monitoring and adjustment of water quality parameters
- Automated management of feeding schedules and feed distribution
- Predictive modeling for disease outbreaks and stock health
- Optimizing stocking densities for maximum growth and efficiency
- Analyzing growth rates and environmental data for operational adjustments
Where people remain essential
These parts continue to depend heavily on human judgement, relationships and accountability.
- Performing physical inspection and maintenance of aquaculture equipment
- Troubleshooting complex system failures and mechanical issues
- Implementing disease prevention protocols and administering treatments
- Making critical decisions during unexpected environmental changes
- Harvesting and processing aquatic products to ensure quality
- Ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and ethical standards
How the role may evolve
Automated systems for efficiency, human expertise for resilience.
Aquaculture farmers will evolve into system managers and data interpreters, leveraging AI to optimize production while providing crucial human judgment for unexpected challenges and welfare.
Strengthen your future fit
- Proficiency in aquaculture automation systems and data analytics
- Advanced knowledge of aquatic animal health and disease management
- Mechanical and electrical troubleshooting for system maintenance
- Environmental stewardship and regulatory compliance expertise
- Strategic planning for sustainable aquaculture operations
- Assessment horizon
- 3–7 years
- Confidence
- High
- Last reviewed
- August 2026
- Methodology
- v1.0
This assessment reflects current AI capabilities and expected adoption patterns. Actual impacts will vary by industry, employer and the way each role is performed.
Career pathways
WHERE YOU COULD GO
CURRENT ROLE
Aquaculture Farmer
Agriculture & Food
ADJACENT MOVES
STARTING POINTS
Who thrives here
Interest profile
enterprising · REC
People who enjoy hands-on work with living organisms, managing practical operations, and applying systematic methods to achieve production goals tend to thrive in this role.
Personality characteristics
Conscientious
Highly diligent and responsible in maintaining precise conditions for aquatic life and farm equipment.
Practical
Enjoys hands-on work, operating machinery, and directly managing physical farm operations.
Investigative
Curious about biological processes and diligent in diagnosing issues related to animal health or water quality.
Calm under pressure
Maintains a steady demeanor and effective problem-solving skills when facing unexpected operational challenges.
Organized
Systematically manages daily tasks, record-keeping, and inventory to ensure smooth farm operations.
Moderately social
Collaborates effectively with team members and interacts professionally with suppliers and inspectors.
Best for
- Individuals who enjoy working independently in a structured outdoor environment with living organisms.
- Those who are meticulous, problem-solvers, and committed to animal welfare and sustainable practices.
- People who thrive on daily routines combined with occasional urgent problem-solving.
Watch out for
- Regular weekend work and urgent issues can disrupt personal schedules.
- The work is primarily outdoors and physically demanding, regardless of weather conditions.
A week in the life
A representative working week for an Aquaculture Farmer — where the deep work, meetings, and admin actually land.
Real people. Real results.
Thousands of people
can't be wrong.
Frequently asked questions about Aquaculture Farmer roles
What does an Aquaculture Farmer do?
An Aquaculture Farmer raises fish, shellfish, or aquatic plants in controlled environments, such as ponds, tanks, or ocean pens. Responsibilities include monitoring water quality, managing feeding regimes, and optimizing stocking densities to produce healthy stock for market. This role involves hands-on animal husbandry, equipment maintenance, and adherence to environmental regulations. Contributes to sustainable food production and food security by efficiently cultivating aquatic species, reducing pressure on wild fish stocks, and providing high-quality seafood to consumers.
How much does an Aquaculture Farmer earn?
An Aquaculture Farmer earns a median of $55,000 per year in the US, typically ranging from $35,000 to $80,000.
What qualifications do you need to become an Aquaculture Farmer?
To become an Aquaculture Farmer, a certificate, diploma, or bachelor's degree in aquaculture, marine biology, or a related field is often preferred, alongside practical experience.
What personality suits an Aquaculture Farmer?
Aquaculture Farmer roles tend to suit people who are highly conscientious — precise, organised and strong on follow-through (Conscientiousness 78/100) and steady under pressure — deadlines and setbacks do not rattle them easily (Emotional Stability 72/100). The traits that matter most in the role are Conscientious, Practical, Investigative and Calm under pressure. Highly diligent and responsible in maintaining precise conditions for aquatic life and farm equipment. On interests, Aquaculture Farmer maps to a REC Holland Code profile — people who enjoy hands-on work with living organisms, managing practical operations, and applying systematic methods to achieve production goals tend to thrive in this role.
Who does an Aquaculture Farmer role suit?
An Aquaculture Farmer role is usually a strong fit for these reasons. Strong Realistic and Conventional alignment: the role demands hands-on problem-solving, systematic management, and attention to detail. High conscientiousness and low neuroticism are highly valued for maintaining consistent conditions and handling challenges calmly. The work involves direct interaction with natural systems and contributes to sustainable food production.
What are the downsides of being an Aquaculture Farmer?
Aquaculture Farmer roles come with trade-offs worth weighing up. Regular weekend work and urgent issues can disrupt personal schedules. The work is primarily outdoors and physically demanding, regardless of weather conditions.
What is the work environment like for an Aquaculture Farmer?
Work as an Aquaculture Farmer is mostly outdoors-based with onsite arrangements common, semi-structured — a mix of set processes and self-directed work, a moderate pace and medium exposure to clients or stakeholders. Around 67% of the week is focused deep work.
What skills do you need to be an Aquaculture Farmer?
Core skills for an Aquaculture Farmer include Aquatic animal husbandry, Water quality management, Disease prevention, Equipment maintenance and Record keeping.
How do you become an Aquaculture Farmer?
Common entry routes into Aquaculture Farmer roles include Aquaculture Technician, Farm Hand and Fisheries Assistant.
What career progression is there for an Aquaculture Farmer?
From an Aquaculture Farmer role, common next steps include Aquaculture Farm Manager and Fisheries Biologist; lateral moves include Marine Biologist and Agricultural Scientist.
What is the job outlook for Aquaculture Farmer roles?
The outlook for Aquaculture Farmer roles is currently rated growing. Job growth is expected to be above average over the next five years.
Will AI replace Aquaculture Farmer roles?
Traitstack rates automation risk for Aquaculture Farmer roles at 53 out of 100, which is moderate. Automated monitoring and feeding systems are transforming aquaculture operations, yet human oversight, disease intervention, and hands-on maintenance are indispensable for healthy aquatic stock. AI is most likely to take on continuous monitoring and adjustment of water quality parameters, automated management of feeding schedules and feed distribution and predictive modeling for disease outbreaks and stock health. Performing physical inspection and maintenance of aquaculture equipment, troubleshooting complex system failures and mechanical issues and implementing disease prevention protocols and administering treatments stay with people. Automated systems for efficiency, human expertise for resilience. That score measures how much of the work could change, not the likelihood the job disappears. It is Traitstack's current view, revisited as AI capability moves.