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

Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers fall under the Production category in the U.S. occupational classification. Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers earn a median salary of $37,700 per year, ranking in the top 90% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +5.5% job growth through 2034, projected to grow at roughly 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 meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers earn?

The median annual wage for meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers is $37,700. That puts meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers at #727 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 meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers is +5.5%, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 146K positions in 2024 to 154K in 2034, a net change of 8K. Average growth signals a healthy, resilient occupation that mirrors broader U.S. employment trends. Job availability tends to track regional economic conditions.

What do meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers do every day?

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

1. 1.Use knives, cleavers, meat saws, bandsaws, or other equipment to perform meat cutting and trimming.
2. 2.Weigh meats and tag containers for weight and contents.
3. 3.Inspect meat products for defects, bruises or blemishes and remove them along with any excess fat.
4. 4.Cut and trim meat to prepare for packing.
5. 5.Separate meats and byproducts into specified containers and seal containers.

Top skills for meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers

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 meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmer?

Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers 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.

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Common questions parents ask about meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers