Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers Salary
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers earn a median $38,300 a year nationally. Production Occupations
U.S. median
$38,300
$18.41 per hour
Range
$29,980 – $48,150
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
145,700
across the U.S.
▲1.6%
Pay trend: The median for meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers in the U.S. rose from $37,700 (May 2024) to $38,300 (May 2025). That trailed inflation (2.4%), so buying power slipped about 0.8%.
What meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers do
Use hands or hand tools to perform routine cutting and trimming of meat, poultry, and seafood.
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +5.7% (faster than average)
- Openings per year
- 17,000
- Self-employed
- 1%
Employment of meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers is projected to grow 5.7% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 17,000 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$32,954
per year · effective tax rate 14.0%
$2,746Monthly
$1,373Twice a month
$1,267Every 2 weeks
$15.84Hourly
- Federal income tax$2,416
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,375
- Medicare (1.45%)$555
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$32,954
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,980 | $14.41 | $26,269 |
| 25th percentile | $35,350 | $17.00 | $30,584 |
| Median (50th) | $38,300 | $18.41 | $32,954 |
| 75th percentile | $44,170 | $21.24 | $37,671 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,150 | $23.15 | $40,869 |
Best cities for meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fayetteville, AR | $37,980 | $31,428 | $34,403 | 2,500 |
| 2 | Gainesville, GA | $39,420 | $32,431 | $33,515 | 3,210 |
| 3 | Atlanta, GA | $39,300 | $32,341 | $32,322 | 2,560 |
| 4 | Chicago, IL | $40,690 | $33,005 | $31,860 | 2,770 |
| 5 | Los Angeles, CA | $36,540 | $30,614 | $26,957 | 4,340 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Chicago, IL — $40,690
- Gainesville, GA — $39,420
- Atlanta, GA — $39,300
- Fayetteville, AR — $37,980
- Los Angeles, CA — $36,540
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | $50,390 | — | $41,160 | $47,520 – $57,280 | 2,470 |
| Arizona | $48,550 | +3.4% | $40,185 | $36,510 – $48,550 | 620 |
| Kansas | $48,080 | +4.5% | $38,929 | $39,660 – $59,250 | 5,000 |
| Nebraska | $47,580 | −0.7% | $39,125 | $40,850 – $55,230 | 8,340 |
| New Hampshire | $47,260 | +24.7% | $40,153 | $37,330 – $55,060 | — |
| North Dakota | $47,250 | +7.0% | $40,145 | $31,250 – $47,250 | 390 |
| Michigan | $44,430 | +12.5% | $36,242 | $37,940 – $46,630 | 920 |
| South Dakota | $44,290 | +3.3% | $37,767 | $35,730 – $48,150 | 2,080 |
| Utah | $44,150 | +3.3% | $36,634 | $37,320 – $46,020 | 1,080 |
| Minnesota | $43,400 | +9.0% | $35,549 | $36,080 – $46,770 | 3,790 |
| Wisconsin | $43,300 | +13.1% | $35,847 | $35,890 – $48,490 | 2,040 |
| Iowa | $43,190 | +1.5% | $35,894 | $39,170 – $46,220 | 3,970 |
| Washington | $43,010 | +8.4% | $36,739 | $36,600 – $52,470 | 3,630 |
| Indiana | $42,450 | −2.6% | $35,066 | $36,680 – $45,000 | 2,640 |
| Missouri | $41,890 | −0.6% | $34,807 | $34,930 – $47,850 | 2,880 |
| Illinois | $40,690 | +3.2% | $33,005 | $35,750 – $47,390 | 4,040 |
| Hawaii | $40,260 | −4.7% | $32,941 | $35,660 – $49,380 | 800 |
| Vermont | $40,110 | +7.9% | $33,499 | $29,140 – $55,580 | 40 |
| Georgia | $39,330 | +3.5% | $32,363 | $30,150 – $45,800 | 11,480 |
| Idaho | $39,200 | +13.9% | $32,708 | $31,200 – $44,530 | 280 |
| Maine | $39,170 | +0.4% | $32,173 | $32,590 – $58,930 | 660 |
| North Carolina | $39,170 | +6.9% | $32,599 | $29,710 – $41,640 | 9,750 |
| Kentucky | $39,150 | +2.4% | $32,384 | $36,860 – $45,590 | 1,450 |
| Arkansas | $37,980 | +4.7% | $31,428 | $33,470 – $44,540 | 9,030 |
| Nevada | $37,920 | +2.8% | $32,649 | $31,440 – $56,940 | 360 |
| Mississippi | $37,890 | +9.5% | $31,841 | $28,870 – $41,170 | 6,470 |
| Rhode Island | $37,740 | +7.2% | $31,706 | $33,280 – $50,300 | 320 |
| Tennessee | $37,590 | +0.3% | $32,384 | $28,090 – $44,220 | 2,970 |
| Montana | $37,440 | −1.3% | $31,260 | $34,950 – $47,580 | 60 |
| New York | $37,330 | +1.2% | $30,756 | $32,740 – $52,040 | 2,420 |
| Alaska | $37,180 | +0.4% | $32,054 | $35,640 – $38,840 | 970 |
| Wyoming | $37,040 | +6.9% | $31,942 | $30,030 – $45,790 | 70 |
| Ohio | $37,020 | −3.2% | $31,690 | $35,350 – $45,410 | 3,540 |
| West Virginia | $36,870 | +11.7% | $30,810 | $22,550 – $46,840 | 220 |
| California | $36,570 | −0.6% | $30,636 | $34,950 – $46,040 | 9,270 |
| Massachusetts | $36,570 | −0.6% | $29,955 | $33,330 – $46,400 | 2,350 |
| Pennsylvania | $36,480 | +0.6% | $30,372 | $31,800 – $43,550 | 1,600 |
| Oklahoma | $36,300 | +3.5% | $30,259 | $34,960 – $46,180 | 1,530 |
| Virginia | $36,170 | +2.1% | $29,977 | $29,470 – $43,240 | 2,740 |
| Oregon | $36,060 | +2.7% | $28,829 | $35,640 – $45,360 | 910 |
| Texas | $35,890 | +2.8% | $31,018 | $23,230 – $45,230 | 8,590 |
| Delaware | $35,500 | +4.2% | $29,411 | $34,320 – $38,070 | 5,430 |
| New Jersey | $34,930 | −4.2% | $29,722 | $32,220 – $51,110 | — |
| South Carolina | $34,790 | +3.3% | $29,203 | $34,090 – $39,390 | 2,750 |
| Connecticut | $34,780 | +5.6% | $29,486 | $34,010 – $44,530 | — |
| Maryland | $32,950 | +5.6% | $27,454 | $31,200 – $45,870 | 680 |
| New Mexico | $31,240 | +3.2% | $26,890 | $29,330 – $44,490 | 240 |
| Florida | $31,160 | −20.7% | $27,217 | $27,240 – $46,170 | 2,310 |
| Alabama | $31,080 | +9.5% | $25,864 | $22,130 – $39,330 | 9,140 |
| Louisiana | $27,850 | +2.5% | $24,095 | $21,570 – $38,120 | 1,690 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slaughterer and Meat Packer | $40,130 | No formal educational credential | +2.0% |
| Butcher and Meat Cutter | $40,140 | No formal educational credential | +2.4% |
| Baker | $37,160 | No formal educational credential | +5.5% |
| Food Processing Workers, All Other | $39,680 | No formal educational credential | +5.5% |
| Food Cooking Machine Operator and Tender | $41,590 | High school diploma or equivalent | -0.3% |
| Food Batchmaker | $42,290 | High school diploma or equivalent | +6.5% |
| Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders | $44,810 | No formal educational credential | +0.4% |
| Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operator and Tender | $38,180 | High school diploma or equivalent | -12.5% |
| Cutters and Trimmers, Hand | $38,020 | No formal educational credential | -18.9% |
| Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $38,670 | High school diploma or equivalent | -10.3% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers make?
The national median salary for meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers is $38,300 a year ($18.41 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $29,980 and the top 10% earn over $48,150. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers the most?
Colorado has the highest median pay at $50,390. After taxes and local prices, Fayetteville, AR offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers are there in the U.S.?
About 145,700 people work as meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers nationwide.