What Butchers and Meat Cutters do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Butchers and Meat Cutters this way: "Cut, trim, or prepare consumer-sized portions of meat for use or sale in retail establishments."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Wrap, weigh, label, and price cuts of meat"; "Prepare and place meat cuts and products in display counter to appear attractive and catch the shopper's eye"; "Prepare special cuts of meat ordered by customers"; "Cut, trim, bone, tie, and grind meats, such as beef, pork, poultry, and fish, to prepare in cooking form"; "Receive, inspect, and store meat upon delivery to ensure meat quality".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is no formal educational credential. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is moderate-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Butchers and Meat Cutters
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 138,400 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 141,700 in 2035, an increase of 3,300 jobs (+2.4%). That is slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 15,100 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 10.9% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $40,140, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Butchers and Meat Cutters earn the most
Across the 5 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $40,188 in Illinois to $44,356 in California, a gap of $4,168 (1.10 times). 5 of those 5 states average above the BLS national median of $40,140 and 0 average at or below it.
California employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 18,620, which is 35.3% of the 52,680 counted across them. New Jersey follows with 8,880.
Highest-paying states
California ($44,356), New York ($43,460) and New Jersey ($41,961) lead the ranking, while Illinois ($40,188) and Indiana ($40,531) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Butchers and Meat Cutters: pay against the cost of living
We compare 5 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Lake County, IN (Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN) at $12,520. The weakest market is Kings County, NY, where the basics cost $6,363 more than take-home pay.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 3 of the 5 markets and falls short in 2. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 42.2% and 94.9% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Butchers and Meat Cutters
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (51-3000) include Food Batchmakers and Bakers.
Frequently asked questions about Butchers and Meat Cutters
How much do Butchers and Meat Cutters earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $40,140. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $40,188 to $44,356.
Which state pays Butchers and Meat Cutters the most?
California, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $44,356. New York is next at $43,460.
Is Butchers and Meat Cutters a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to grow by 2.4% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 15,100 openings a year.
What education do Butchers and Meat Cutters need?
The typical entry-level education is no formal educational credential and moderate-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.
Where can Butchers and Meat Cutters afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Lake County, IN leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $12,520 on a median wage of $40,410.