Managers and proprietors in forestry, fishing and related services: average salary and pay in the UK
Full-time managers and proprietors in forestry, fishing and related services in the UK earned a median £33,011 in the year to 5 April 2025, according to the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE): 15% less than the £39,039 median for all full-time jobs.
What the figures show
That puts it 227th of 382, in the middle third of occupations.
Median full-time pay: women £27,605 a year, men £38,922 a year.
ASHE counts roughly 7,000 employee jobs, 86% full-time.
From £26,948 in 2021, the median is up 22.5%, close to the 25.0% for all jobs.
The Annual Population Survey counts 18,600 people in this line of work across the UK.
Pay distribution, 2025 provisional
| Gross pay | Full-time, annual | Full-time, weekly | Full-time, hourly | All, annual | All, weekly | All, hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25th percentile | – | – | – | – | – | £14.02 |
| 30th percentile | – | £582.20 | £14.35 | £26,652* | £568.40* | £14.15 |
| 40th percentile | £29,771* | £631.30 | £16.49 | – | £598.00* | £16.12 |
| Median (50th percentile) | £33,011* | £709.40* | £17.25* | £31,126* | £632.40* | £17.20* |
| 60th percentile | £38,276* | £748.90* | £18.91* | £33,332* | £727.90* | £18.95* |
Pay since 2021
| ASHE year | Full-time, annual median | Full-time, weekly median | Full-time, hourly median | All, annual median | All, weekly median | Jobs (thousands, indicative) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 revised | £26,948* | £468.60 | £12.69 | £26,757* | £458.60* | 7* |
| 2022 revised | – | £623.70* | £15.25* | – | £622.20* | – |
| 2023 revised | £29,453* | £572.90* | £14.43 | £27,873* | £570.50* | 7* |
| 2024 revised | £30,695* | £591.00 | £15.65 | £30,666* | £589.50 | 7* |
| 2025 provisional | £33,011* | £709.40* | £17.25* | £31,126* | £632.40* | 7* |
Managers and proprietors in forestry, fishing and related services by region
UK: 18,600 (± 5,300), April 2025 to March 2026.
Annual Population Survey (Nomis)
What managers and proprietors in forestry, fishing and related services do
Managers and proprietors in this unit group plan, organise and co-ordinate the activities and resources of forestry, fishing, animal husbandry and related operations and establishments. (ONS SOC 2020, 1212)
Also covers: cattery owner, fish farm owner, forest manager, owner (landscape gardening), racehorse trainer, forestry manager, grounds manager, kennel manager, kennels owner, master mariner, stud manager, yard manager, fish farm manager, fish hatchery owner, fishing boat owner, forest nursery manager, grounds maintenance manager and livery yard manager (24 titles in the ONS coding index).
- Determines financial, staffing and other short- and long-term needs
- Manages and trains staff
- Decides, or advises on, type of animal to be bred and/or trained, and selects, buys and trains animals accordingly
- Plans and directs the establishment and maintenance of forest /woodland areas and regularly inspects forest work
- Liaises with neighbouring landowners, contractors and local authorities
- Oversees facilities such as visitor centres, nature trails, footpaths, etc.
Whilst no formal qualifications are required for proprietors in this area, forestry managers usually require a degree or equivalent qualification in forestry and prior relevant work experience. BTEC qualifications in fish farm management are available. Skippers of offshore fishing vessels require prior work experience and must undertake basic safety training by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. Apprenticeships are available in some areas. Minimum age limits may apply in some areas of employment.
Related
Managers and proprietors in agriculture related services (median £37,625) · Managers and proprietors in agriculture and horticulture · Hotel and accommodation managers and proprietors · salary percentile · UK average weekly earnings growth · Median
ASHE Table 14: 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 · coding index · notes · 15 October 2026