Butchers and Meat Cutters Salary 2025: $40,140 Median, Top States Pay Over $50,000
The median annual wage for Butchers and Meat Cutters is $40,140, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The average earner brings home $42,380 per year, roughly $19 an hour. Most workers earn between $29,460 and $58,110, with the top 10% exceeding that upper bound. With 136,430 jobs nationwide, this is a stable trade with steady demand.
How much Butchers and Meat Cutters earn
The typical annual salary for Butchers and Meat Cutters lands at $40,140 (median). The mean wage is $42,380, about $19 per hour. Starting pay at the 10th percentile is $29,460; experienced workers at the 90th percentile earn $58,110.
Pay varies by experience, employer type, and location. Grocery stores and meat markets are the main employers. Unionized positions and specialty butcher shops often pay above the median.
- National median: $40,140
- Mean (average): $42,380 ($19.37/hr)
- 10th percentile: $29,460
- 90th percentile: $58,110
- Employment: 136,430 jobs
Pay by state
Butchers earn the most in Washington, where the average salary is $51,670. Alaska follows at $50,450, then Hawaii ($50,080), Oregon ($49,360), and the District of Columbia ($48,760). At the low end, Mississippi pays $29,700, with West Virginia at $33,570 and Arkansas at $34,380. Cost of living plays a big role—high-wage states tend to have higher expenses.
How to become Butchers and Meat Cutter
Becoming a butcher or meat cutter usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Most learn through on-the-job training, typically lasting 6 months to a year. Some attend trade schools or community colleges offering certificate programs in meat processing, but this isn't mandatory.
Key steps: 1) Get a high school diploma. 2) Start as a trainee or apprentice in a grocery store, meat market, or packing plant. 3) Learn cutting techniques, food safety, and equipment use. 4) Consider voluntary certification from the American Meat Science Association or similar to boost credentials. No state license is generally required, though food handler permits may be needed.
- Education: High school diploma or equivalent
- Training: On-the-job (6–12 months) or certificate program
- Optional: Certification (AMSA, etc.)
- No universal licensing; local food safety permits may apply
Job outlook
Employment for Butchers and Meat Cutters is projected to grow 1% from 2024 to 2034, slower than the average for all occupations. That translates to about 16,900 job openings each year, mostly from workers retiring or leaving the field. Job prospects are stable, especially for skilled cutters who can handle primal cuts and custom orders. Automation and central meat processing reduce demand in some areas, but local butcher shops and high-end markets still need talent.
Frequently asked questions
What is the starting salary for a butcher?
Entry-level butchers earn about $29,460 per year (10th percentile), roughly $14.16 an hour.
Do butchers need a degree?
No. A high school diploma is typical, and most training happens on the job. Certificate programs are optional.
Is butchering a growing career?
Growth is slow at 1% over the next decade, but about 16,900 openings per year create steady opportunities.
Salary figures are U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates (OEWS / Employment Projections). For informational purposes only; not career or financial advice. See the full Butchers and Meat Cutters data.