Fishmonger

Alternative titles for this job include Fish seller

Fishmongers sell fish and seafood products and advise customers on how to prepare them.

Average salary (a year)

£14,000 Starter

to

£25,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

40 to 42 a week

You could work

between 8am and 6pm

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a fishmonger

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • applying directly
  • specialist courses run by private training providers

College

You can do a Level 2 or 3 Certificate for Proficiency in Fish and Shellfish Industry Skills.

You could also do a more general retail course, like a Level 2 Diploma in Retail Skills.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

More Information

Apprenticeship

You can do a fishmonger intermediate apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You could start out as a sales assistant and work your way up by learning from trained members of staff in a fishmonger's shop or on a fish counter in a supermarket.

Direct Application

There are no set entry requirements if you want to apply directly. A good standard of general education will be helpful, including GCSEs in maths and English at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C).

Some employers may ask for a food hygiene certificate, although you can often get this once you start working.

Experience in retail or customer service will also be useful.

Other Routes

You can do short, specialist fish cookery courses through organisations like:

More Information

Further information

You can find out more about working in the seafood industry from Seafish.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of food production methods
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • the ability to work well with others
  • knowledge of maths
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

On a typical day you might:

  • take deliveries from suppliers
  • move stock to and from cold storage areas
  • set out produce in display cabinets
  • advise customers about different types of fish and cooking methods
  • prepare orders for shop customers and restaurants
  • take payments
  • keep work areas clean
  • order stock from wholesalers

Working environment

You could work at a store or on a market stall.

Your working environment may be cool.

You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience and training you could become an assistant manager in a supermarket, a seafood chef or set up your own business.

You could also move into seafood wholesaling, supplying shops and restaurants.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a fishmonger right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Food Safety in Catering

  • Provider: HAVANT AND SOUTH DOWNS COLLEGE
  • Start date: 31 July 2023
  • Location: Waterlooville

Food Safety in Catering

  • Provider: SOUTH DEVON COLLEGE
  • Start date: 27 March 2023
  • Location: Paignton

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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