Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers salary by state
What Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmerss do
Typical education: Less than a High School Diploma
Use knives, cleavers, meat saws, bandsaws, or other equipment to perform meat cutting and trimming.
Weigh meats and tag containers for weight and contents.
Inspect meat products for defects, bruises or blemishes and remove them along with any excess fat.
Cut and trim meat to prepare for packing.
Separate meats and byproducts into specified containers and seal containers.
Top skills:Active ListeningSpeakingMonitoringJudgment and Decision MakingCritical ThinkingTime Management
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers pay by experience level
Entry level$31,000
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$36,500
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$39,500
Mid-career median pay
Senior$45,500
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$50,000
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
+5.5%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
18,400
projected openings per year
Growing about as fast as average
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers salary by industry
Food Manufacturing
113,620 workers
$41,000
Animal Slaughtering and Processing
105,200 workers
$41,500
Food and Beverage Retailers
20,130 workers
$37,500
Food and Beverage Retailers (4451 and 4452 only)
20,130 workers
$37,500
Seafood Product Preparation and Packaging
8,050 workers
$37,500
Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods
6,330 workers
$42,500
Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods (4244 and 4248 only)
6,330 workers
$42,500
Administrative and Support Services
5,050 workers
$37,000
Employment Services
5,050 workers
$37,000
Other Food Manufacturing
290 workers
$38,500
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
How this role compares
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers pays 28% below the average across 112 roles in the Production job family (family average $56,000).
