How much do hawk watch counter jobs pay in 2022?
I have been working as a seasonal hawk counter since 2017. I keep an eye on the job listings each year. I have compiled charts of the pay rates for hawk watch counters in 2022. The best comparison is monthly pay.
For the Spring 2022 migration season the pay of a hawk watch counter varied between $1,500 and $2,100 per month.
For the Fall 2022 migration season the pay of a hawk watch counter varied between $1,167 and $2,760 per month.
I estimated this based on the available information for each count site. In some cases I divided the total season pay by the number of months. In others I estimated it based on an hourly pay rate. These values came from the job listings which I have linked to in the chart. For the exact terms of each position you should refer to these listings. I found most of these on the Short-term Positions job board of Ornithology Exchange. At most hawk watches the counter from the previous year is given the option of returning and in these cases a job listing may not be posted.
Spring 2022
| Site | Pay/month | Hrs/wk | Housing | Months |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braddock Bay (NY)* | $2,100 | 56 | Yes | 3 (Mar 1 - May 31) |
| Brockway Mountain (MI) | $1,733 | 48 | Yes | 3 (Mar 15 - Jun 15) |
| Derby Hill (NY) | $1,700-2,000 | 40 | Yes | 3 (Mar 1 - May 31) |
| Dinosaur Ridge (CO) | $2,022 | 40 | No | 1.75 (Mar 16 - May 7) |
| Mackinac Straits (MI) | $1,500-1,800 | 56 | Yes | 3 (Mar 5 - Jun 5) |
| Tussey Mountain (PA) | $1,656 | 40 | Yes | 2 (Feb 23 - Apr 25) |
Fall 2022
| Site | Pay/month | Hrs/wk | Housing | Months |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashland (DE)* | $2,760 | 40 | Yes | 3 (Sep 1 - Nov 30) |
| Bake Oven Knob (PA) | $1,385 | 40 | Yes | 3.25 (Aug 15 - Nov 25) |
| Chestnut Ridge (NY) | $2,760 | 40 | Yes | 3 (Aug 25 - Nov 23) |
| Hawk Ridge (MN) | $2,392 | 40 | Yes | 2 (Aug 30 - Oct 31) |
| Hitchcock (IA) | $1,824 | 38 | Yes | 3.5 (Sep 1 - Dec 13) |
| Holiday Beach (ON) | $1,167-1,333 | 40 | Yes | 3 (Sep 1 - Nov 30) |
| Montclair (NJ) | $2,576 | 40 | Yes | 3 (Aug 25 - Nov 30) |
| Quaker Ridge (CT) | ? | 40 | Yes | 3.25 (Aug 20 - Nov 30) |
| Hawkwatch International | $1,755 | 48 | Camping | 2-2.5 (varies by site) |
*Braddock Bay and Ashland data based on personal experience.
Hawk counter positions are usually seasonal jobs that run two to three months and do not provide benefits. One other factor to keep in mind is whether the counter is hired as an independent contractor or an employee. Independent contractors are subject to a 15.3% self-employment tax for Social Security and Medicare. Employees pay only half that amount because the employer pays the other half.
The exact job responsibilities of a hawk counter vary by site but the most common responsibilities include data collection, data entry, interacting with visitors, and writing a season report. Some sites may have additional responsibilities such as scheduling volunteers and writing social media or blog posts.
