How many jobs does the salmon industry provide?

The salmon farming industry generates around 86,000 jobs in the country across its entire value chain. Of these, around 45,000 are directly employed by salmon companies, while 41,000 work in small and medium-sized enterprises that provide services to the sector.

Salmon farming plays an important role in job creation in the country, particularly in the southern regions. In total, it is estimated that 86,000 people work throughout the industry’s value chain.

Of that total, 45,000 work in various salmon farming companies in Chile, while 41,000 work in small and medium-sized companies that provide services to the industry.

Now, we invite you to learn more about how these figures break down and how they impact people.

Direct employment: a driver for regional development

Direct employment in the salmon industry is distributed across various areas, such as fish farming, processing, and administration. According to recent data, and only counting information from SalmonChile’s member production companies, there are 26,107 direct employees.

This total number of jobs is divided as follows:

• 8,747 work in fattening.
• 12,981 work in processing.
• 1,658 work in fish farming.
• 2,721 work in administration.

Another relevant fact is that of these numbers, 18,549 jobs are held by men and 7,558 by women.

Of the total number of people working in a salmon production company, 65% are hired directly and 35% through outsourcing services. In particular, 71% of women are hired directly, while this figure for men is 59%.

It is important to note that, on average, women working in salmon companies in Chile have incomes that exceed the national average for women by 29%.

Geographical distribution of employment

The highest concentration of jobs in the salmon industry in Chile is found in the southern regions of the country, strengthening the local economy. Of the total number of jobs generated by companies associated with SalmonChile, the workforce is distributed as follows:

• Los Lagos Region: 73%
• Biobío Region: 12%
• Magallanes Region: 5%
• Aysén Region: 3%
• La Araucanía Region: 2%

Economic impact and low unemployment rates

The impact of the salmon industry on employment is also reflected in the low unemployment rates in southern Chile. In 2023, unemployment rates in the Los Lagos, Aysén, and Magallanes regions did not exceed 5%, compared to the national average of 9%, consolidating chilean salmon farming as a key stabilizer of the local economy.

The salmon industry in Chile is not only one of the country’s main exporters, but also a driver of employment for communities in the south. Its impact on the creation of quality jobs strengthens economic and social development in Chile’s southernmost regions.