How Many Calories are in Salmon?

If you’re trying to eat healthier or manage your weight, it helps to know how many calories are in the foods you eat. Salmon is a popular choice because it’s packed with protein and healthy fats. But not all salmon is the same — different types of salmon have different calorie counts.

Knowing the calories in salmon can help you plan meals that fit your diet, whether you’re trying to lose weight, gain muscle, or just stay balanced.

In this article, we’ll break down how many calories are in different kinds of salmon, compare wild vs. farmed salmon, and even show how salmon stacks up against other fish. Let’s find out which salmon is best for your goals!

Salmon Calories

Salmon is a nutrient-rich fish that provides protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and important vitamins like B12 and D. While it’s a healthy option, the calorie count can vary depending on the type of salmon and whether it’s wild-caught or farmed.

Here are the calorie counts for common types of salmon per 3-ounce (85-gram) cooked serving:

Wild vs. Farmed Salmon Calories

Wild salmon is usually lower in calories than farmed salmon because it contains less fat overall. In the wild, salmon must swim long distances, hunt for food, and navigate strong currents, which keeps their activity level high and limits excess fat storage.

Their natural diet — made up of smaller fish, plankton, and krill — supports lean muscle development rather than rapid fat accumulation.

Farmed salmon, by contrast, are raised in controlled environments and fed a consistent, calorie-dense commercial diet designed to promote fast growth. This feed often includes fish meal, fish oil, and plant-based oils, all of which increase total fat intake.

Combined with limited space for movement, farmed salmon burn fewer calories and store more energy as fat, which leads to a higher calorie content per serving.

As a result, the calorie difference between wild and farmed salmon reflects differences in lifestyle and energy use rather than nutritional quality alone.

Salmon Calories vs. Other Fish

If you’re comparing salmon to other fish, it’s helpful to know that salmon is often higher in calories because of its healthy fat content. Here’s how salmon stacks up against some other popular fish choices per 3-ounce (85-gram) cooked serving:

Summary

Salmon is a nutritious choice, but calorie counts vary depending on the type and whether it’s wild or farmed. Wild salmon is usually leaner, while farmed salmon tends to be higher in calories due to more fat. Compared to other fish, salmon often has more calories because of its healthy fats.

Hopefully this article has helped you make a more informed choice. If you want a simple way to enjoy wild-caught fish, try our Premium Fish Variety Gift Box – Assorted Fillets, which includes wild-caught salmon, black cod, and Alaskan cod.