Butchers and Meat Cutters: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Butchers and Meat Cutters fall under the Production category in the U.S. occupational classification. Butchers and Meat Cutters earn a median salary of $40,140 per year, ranking in the top 88% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +2.4% job growth through 2035, projected to grow slower than the US average. Entry into this field typically requires an apprenticeship, technical certification, or postsecondary training, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do butchers and meat cutters earn?

The median annual wage for butchers and meat cutters is $40,140. That puts butchers and meat cutters at #725 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is around or below the U.S. median for individual workers, so career growth often depends on advancement into supervisory roles, specialization, or additional credentials. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is butchers and meat cutters a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for butchers and meat cutters is +2.4%, projected to grow slower than the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 138K positions in 2024 to 141K in 2034, a net change of 3K. Flat growth typically reflects a mature, stable field. Most openings will come from retirements rather than new positions, which can favor candidates with strong networks and willingness to relocate.

What do butchers and meat cutters do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working butchers and meat cutters, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Prepare and place meat cuts and products in display counter to appear attractive and catch the shopper's eye.
2. 2.Prepare special cuts of meat ordered by customers.
3. 3.Cut, trim, bone, tie, and grind meats, such as beef, pork, poultry, and fish, to prepare in cooking form.
4. 4.Receive, inspect, and store meat upon delivery to ensure meat quality.
5. 5.Shape, lace, and tie roasts, using boning knife, skewer, and twine.
6. 6.Wrap, weigh, label, and price cuts of meat.
7. 7.Estimate requirements and order or requisition meat supplies to maintain inventories.

Top skills for butchers and meat cutters

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become butchers and meat cutter?

Butchers and Meat Cutters typically enter the field through a formal apprenticeship, technical certification, or vocational training program — a strong fit for teens who prefer hands-on learning over traditional college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• Slaughterers and Meat Packers
  $40,130 median
• Production Workers, All Other
  $40,110 median
• Food Processing Workers, All Other
  $39,680 median
• Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
  $39,530 median
• Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians
  $39,460 median
• Helpers--Production Workers
  $39,070 median

Common questions parents ask about butchers and meat cutters