Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers Salary 2025: $38,300 Median Pay and Career Outlook

How much Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers earn

The national median salary of $38,300 represents the midpoint: half earn more, half earn less. The bottom 10% make under $29,980, while the top 10% exceed $48,150. Experience and location heavily influence pay.

Workers in the highest-paying states can earn significantly more. For example, Colorado tops the list with a mean annual wage of $50,390. Arizona ($48,550), Kansas ($48,080), Nebraska ($47,580), and New Hampshire ($47,260) also pay well above the national median.

At the lower end, Florida averages $31,160, Alabama $31,080, and Louisiana $27,850. Choosing a state with higher pay can boost earnings by over $20,000 annually.

Pay by state

Salaries vary dramatically by location. The five highest-paying states for Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers are:

As of May 2025 BLS data: Colorado ($50,390), Arizona ($48,550), Kansas ($48,080), Nebraska ($47,580), New Hampshire ($47,260). On the other end, the lowest-paying states include Florida ($31,160), Alabama ($31,080), and Louisiana ($27,850). Industry concentration and cost of living partly explain these differences.

• Colorado: $50,390
• Arizona: $48,550
• Kansas: $48,080
• Nebraska: $47,580
• New Hampshire: $47,260

How to become Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers

This is typically an entry-level occupation. Most employers require no formal education beyond a high school diploma or equivalent. Training happens on the job, often lasting a few weeks to a few months, where new cutters learn knife skills, safety protocols, and efficiency.

While no state license is required, some employers prefer or require certifications like the American Meat Science Association's Meat Cutting certificate or a food handler's card, depending on local health codes. Physical stamina, hand-eye coordination, and the ability to work in cold environments are key.

To start, apply directly to meat processing plants, poultry facilities, or fish markets. Many companies offer paid training. Advancement opportunities include lead cutter, supervisor, or quality control inspector.

• Earn a high school diploma (or equivalent).
• Apply for entry-level positions at processing plants or markets.
• Complete on-the-job training (typically 1–3 months).
• Consider voluntary certification (e.g., meat cutting certificate).
• Gain experience to advance to lead or supervisory roles.

Job outlook

Employment of Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers is projected to grow 5.5% from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations. This translates to about 18,400 job openings each year, many of which come from replacing workers who retire or transfer.

Currently, there are 145,700 workers in this role. Growth is driven by continued consumer demand for processed meat, poultry, and fish products. Automation may affect certain tasks, but skilled cutters remain essential for quality and yield.

Frequently asked questions