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The average salary for an Oyster Shucker is approximately $26,265 per year, translating to about $13 per hour. This figure can vary based on several factors including geographical location, years of experience, and the type of establishment. For instance, oyster shuckers in upscale seafood restaurants tend to earn higher wages compared to those in casual dining settings.
Entry-level oyster shuckers can expect to earn around $12.63 per hour, while those with several years of experience may see their hourly rates increase significantly. As skills develop, opportunities for higher-end positions become available, leading to increased financial rewards.
Some of the highest paying states for oyster shuckers include California and Florida, where seafood culture thrives. Understanding regional demand can help aspiring oyster shuckers make informed career choices and maximize their earning potential.
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The highest-paying states for oyster shuckers are North Dakota, Maine, and Wisconsin. The lowest average oyster shucker salary states are Missouri, Colorado, and Alabama.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indiana | $30,277 | $14.56 |
| 2 | New Jersey | $33,314 | $16.02 |
| 3 | Kansas | $29,897 | $14.37 |
| 4 | New Hampshire | $30,482 | $14.65 |
| 5 | Ohio | $28,346 | $13.63 |
| 6 | Iowa | $32,360 | $15.56 |
| 7 | North Dakota | $36,938 | $17.76 |
| 8 | Wisconsin | $33,379 | $16.05 |
| 9 | Illinois | $32,937 | $15.84 |
| 10 | Michigan | $29,681 | $14.27 |
| 11 | Maine | $33,840 | $16.27 |
| 12 | Idaho | $29,195 | $14.04 |
| 13 | Montana | $27,150 | $13.05 |
| 14 | Utah | $29,597 | $14.23 |
| 15 | Connecticut | $29,755 | $14.31 |
| 16 | Washington | $29,784 | $14.32 |
| 17 | Nevada | $26,086 | $12.54 |
| 18 | Texas | $26,402 | $12.69 |
| 19 | South Dakota | $28,242 | $13.58 |
| 20 | Oregon | $29,070 | $13.98 |
| 21 | Florida | $26,328 | $12.66 |
| 22 | New York | $28,796 | $13.84 |
| 23 | Minnesota | $28,177 | $13.55 |
| 24 | Tennessee | $25,235 | $12.13 |
| 25 | Pennsylvania | $25,982 | $12.49 |
| 26 | Nebraska | $24,693 | $11.87 |
| 27 | Wyoming | $24,025 | $11.55 |
| 28 | Alaska | $26,207 | $12.60 |
| 29 | Vermont | $27,346 | $13.15 |
| 30 | Rhode Island | $26,711 | $12.84 |
| 31 | Arkansas | $24,726 | $11.89 |
| 32 | Delaware | $27,903 | $13.41 |
| 33 | New Mexico | $24,865 | $11.95 |
| 34 | Mississippi | $23,921 | $11.50 |
| 35 | South Carolina | $24,897 | $11.97 |
| 36 | Kentucky | $23,251 | $11.18 |
| 37 | West Virginia | $23,918 | $11.50 |
| 38 | Oklahoma | $23,729 | $11.41 |
| 39 | Arizona | $23,565 | $11.33 |
| 40 | Georgia | $23,769 | $11.43 |
| 41 | California | $26,430 | $12.71 |
| 42 | District of Columbia | $24,304 | $11.68 |
| 43 | Missouri | $23,204 | $11.16 |
| 44 | North Carolina | $23,896 | $11.49 |
| 45 | Louisiana | $19,388 | $9.32 |
| 46 | Colorado | $22,974 | $11.05 |
| 47 | Alabama | $22,509 | $10.82 |
| 48 | Virginia | $23,575 | $11.33 |
| 49 | Hawaii | $23,832 | $11.46 |
| 50 | Maryland | $20,116 | $9.67 |
| 51 | Massachusetts | $22,032 | $10.59 |
The highest-paying cities for oyster shuckers are Cranford, NJ, Chicago, IL, and Atlantic City, NJ.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cranford, NJ | $33,459 | $16.09 |
| 2 | Chicago, IL | $33,177 | $15.95 |
| 3 | Atlantic City, NJ | $32,106 | $15.44 |
| 4 | Seattle, WA | $29,824 | $14.34 |
| 5 | Shelton, WA | $29,751 | $14.30 |
| 6 | New York, NY | $28,646 | $13.77 |
| 7 | Pensacola, FL | $26,447 | $12.71 |
| 8 | Destin, FL | $26,441 | $12.71 |
| 9 | Apalachicola, FL | $26,411 | $12.70 |
| 10 | Costa Mesa, CA | $26,347 | $12.67 |
| 11 | Port Lavaca, TX | $26,337 | $12.66 |
| 12 | Miami, FL | $26,328 | $12.66 |
| 13 | Matagorda, TX | $26,326 | $12.66 |
| 14 | Dickinson, TX | $26,314 | $12.65 |
| 15 | San Leon, TX | $26,313 | $12.65 |
| 16 | Anahuac, TX | $26,311 | $12.65 |
| 17 | New Hope, PA | $26,248 | $12.62 |
| 18 | Chattanooga, TN | $25,166 | $12.10 |
| 19 | Greenville, SC | $25,027 | $12.03 |
| 20 | Charleston, SC | $24,817 | $11.93 |
An oyster shucker's salary ranges from $19,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $34,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $34,000 | $2,833 | $16 |
| 75th Percentile | $30,000 | $2,500 | $14 |
| Average | $26,265 | $2,189 | $13 |
| 25th Percentile | $22,000 | $1,833 | $11 |
| 10th Percentile | $19,000 | $1,583 | $9 |
The highest paying types of oyster shuckers are bonder, ham boner, and boner.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seafood Processor | $23,630 | $1,969 | $11.36 | 8,962 |
| Food Runner/Busser | $28,577 | $2,381 | $13.74 | 124,680 |
| Bartender Server | $32,591 | $2,716 | $15.67 | 106,784 |
Top companies hiring oyster shuckers now:
Oyster shucker salaries at Taylor Shellfish and Metompkin Bay Oyster Co are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average oyster shucker salary at companies like Aimbridge Hospitality and Jeri's Seafood Inc are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taylor Shellfish | $25,468 | $12.24 |
| 2 | Metompkin Bay Oyster Co | $25,339 | $12.18 |
| 3 | Aimbridge Hospitality | $25,297 | $12.16 |
| 4 | Jeri's Seafood Inc | $24,850 | $11.95 |
| 5 | Grand Savings Bank | $24,709 | $11.88 |
| 6 | Phillips Seafood | $24,528 | $11.79 |
| 7 | The Lobster Place | $24,428 | $11.74 |
| 8 | Coast Seafoods | $24,000 | $11.54 |
| 9 | Fresh Frozen Foods | $23,944 | $11.51 |
The average oyster shucker salary has risen by $6,499 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average oyster shucker earned $19,766 annually, but today, they earn $26,265 a year. That works out to a 23% change in pay for oyster shuckers over the last decade.
Compare oyster shucker salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare oyster shucker salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $26,300 | $12.63 | +6.9% |
| 2024 | $24,400 | $11.75 | +4.1% |
| 2023 | $23,400 | $11.27 | +6.3% |
| 2022 | $22,000 | $10.56 | +3.0% |
| 2021 | $21,300 | $10.24 | +2.5% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seaport Entertainment | Oyster Shucker | New York, NY | 06/22/2025 | $37,566 |
| Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar | Oyster Shucker | Boulder, CO | 06/14/2025 | $48,001 |
| Flagship Restaurant Group | Oyster Shucker-Plank Provisions | Austin, TX | 03/05/2025 | $45,914 |
| Buckandrider | Oyster Bar Shucker | Scottsdale, AZ | 02/17/2025 | $45,914 |
| Fleetlanding | Raw Bar Oyster Shucker | Charleston, SC | 02/16/2025 | $62,610 |
| Seapines | Oyster Shucker | Hilton Head Island, SC | 02/16/2025 | $52,175 |
| Broadway Oyster Bar | Oyster Shucker | Saint Louis, MO | 02/09/2025 | $31,305 |
| Buck and Rider | Oyster Bar Shucker | Gilbert, AZ | 02/01/2025 | $45,914 |
| Row 34 | Oyster Shucker | Portsmouth, NH | 11/30/2024 | $37,566 |
| Queen St. | Oyster Shucker | Los Angeles, CA | 11/26/2024 | $41,740 |
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