The Alaska commercial fishing industry employs over 65,000 people each year. The industry allows you to work for a certain period of time, then to take several months off, with a fishing job waiting for you next season. After the fishing season ends people use the money saved to travel the world, make investments or for college tuition. Alaska fishing offers a great amount of flexibility over the traditional day job.

The work week can be up to seven days, with about 12 to 16 hours of work a day depending on the company and the season. Typically processors make $750 to $1,500 a week. Fishermen earn around $1,000 to $2,500 a week (and sometimes more!). Besides the pay, many employers in the industry also offer free room and board and free round-trip airfare from the point of hire (usually Seattle, WA) to Alaska.

There are several different fishing seasons throughout the year. But generally speaking there is the winter "A" season and the summer "B" season. It is best to apply for a job three months before the season starts, and be sure to send out applications to several companies to increase your chances of getting a job.

Processing jobs are the easiest to get. Usually no experience is required, but any experience working long hours or in factories is a big plus in convincing potential employers that you're right for the job.

Potential employees are given an interview and are asked to attend an orientation meeting, which will help prepare you for the job and answer your questions. When hired you will need to sign a contract that details the conditions of the job, pay rate, duties, and length of employment.

Contracts usually run from one to four months, with the standard being three. After your contract is finished you will have the option of returning to the company for the next fishing season if you have done a good job. Most processing companies work almost all year long, so you'll have a job waiting for you whenever you need it.

Work in Alaska whenever you need to raise cash quickly, work for six months then take six months off to travel the world, or make the Alaska commercial fishing industry your career. Alaska fishing jobs allow for a lot more freedom over traditional day jobs and you will have an experience that you'll never forget.

Some of the bigger employment companies in Alaska are:

http://www.americanseafoods.com

http://www.icicleseafoods.com

http://www.starboats.com

http://www.tridentseafoods.com

http://www.unisea.com

http://www.westwardseafoods.com