Slaughterer and Meat Packer Salary
Slaughterers and Meat Packers earn a median $40,130 a year nationally. Production Occupations
U.S. median
$40,130
$19.29 per hour
Range
$33,340 – $51,090
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
69,950
across the U.S.
Slaughterer and Meat Packer take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$34,424
per year · effective tax rate 14.2%
$2,869Monthly
$1,434Twice a month
$1,324Every 2 weeks
$16.55Hourly
- Federal income tax$2,636
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,488
- Medicare (1.45%)$582
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$34,424
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,340 | $16.03 | $28,969 |
| 25th percentile | $36,150 | $17.38 | $31,227 |
| Median (50th) | $40,130 | $19.29 | $34,424 |
| 75th percentile | $46,870 | $22.53 | $39,840 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $51,090 | $24.56 | $43,231 |
Best cities for slaughterers and meat packers (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sioux City, IA | $49,600 | $40,801 | $47,193 | 1,120 |
| 2 | Omaha, NE | $46,390 | $38,223 | $41,587 | 1,330 |
| 3 | Grand Rapids, MI | $43,680 | $35,671 | $37,334 | 610 |
| 4 | Philadelphia, PA | $41,950 | $34,599 | $33,737 | 1,720 |
| 5 | Jackson, MS | $34,530 | $29,276 | $32,876 | 470 |
| 6 | Atlanta, GA | $39,510 | $32,499 | $32,480 | 730 |
| 7 | Fresno, CA | $39,420 | $32,775 | $32,083 | 2,690 |
| 8 | Chicago, IL | $39,200 | $31,882 | $30,775 | 1,780 |
| 9 | Gainesville, GA | $35,680 | $29,620 | $30,610 | 920 |
| 10 | Los Angeles, CA | $36,270 | $30,411 | $26,779 | 840 |
| 11 | New York, NY | $35,560 | $29,429 | $26,145 | 2,000 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Sioux City, IA — $49,600
- Omaha, NE — $46,390
- Grand Rapids, MI — $43,680
- Philadelphia, PA — $41,950
- Atlanta, GA — $39,510
- Fresno, CA — $39,420
- Chicago, IL — $39,200
- Los Angeles, CA — $36,270
- Gainesville, GA — $35,680
- New York, NY — $35,560
- Jackson, MS — $34,530
Slaughterer and Meat Packer salary by state
| State | Median | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | $50,480 | $41,228 | $38,910 – $59,520 | 1,590 |
| Arizona | $49,020 | $40,551 | $40,030 – $58,870 | 440 |
| Nebraska | $48,910 | $40,133 | $40,590 – $55,310 | 5,480 |
| Kansas | $48,240 | $39,049 | $39,180 – $57,660 | 2,170 |
| Montana | $46,700 | $38,265 | $37,450 – $53,680 | 80 |
| South Carolina | $46,000 | $37,538 | $33,740 – $47,260 | 250 |
| Oregon | $45,980 | $35,931 | $36,180 – $50,770 | 360 |
| Oklahoma | $45,970 | $37,594 | $33,290 – $45,970 | 1,560 |
| Michigan | $45,850 | $37,323 | $37,230 – $53,120 | 2,920 |
| New Jersey | $45,230 | $37,571 | $35,560 – $57,580 | 1,050 |
| Washington | $45,100 | $38,418 | $40,610 – $55,740 | 840 |
| Illinois | $44,950 | $36,217 | $33,970 – $49,910 | 3,360 |
| Missouri | $44,490 | $36,774 | $34,020 – $49,460 | 1,280 |
| South Dakota | $44,410 | $37,863 | $34,950 – $48,080 | 740 |
| Utah | $44,040 | $36,550 | $36,460 – $46,810 | 560 |
| Iowa | $43,820 | $36,376 | $33,750 – $46,060 | 4,220 |
| Indiana | $43,770 | $36,087 | $36,430 – $48,300 | 1,210 |
| Minnesota | $43,360 | $35,519 | $37,710 – $44,030 | 2,820 |
| Texas | $43,160 | $36,859 | $27,270 – $49,910 | 2,950 |
| Vermont | $42,220 | $35,123 | $31,970 – $58,060 | 50 |
| Idaho | $40,370 | $33,586 | $37,720 – $47,680 | 450 |
| Louisiana | $40,120 | $33,599 | $23,890 – $45,160 | 650 |
| North Carolina | $39,930 | $33,179 | $31,200 – $49,550 | 6,120 |
| North Dakota | $39,730 | $34,103 | $35,720 – $70,660 | 160 |
| California | $39,420 | $32,775 | $35,050 – $49,400 | 6,170 |
| New Hampshire | $39,270 | $33,733 | $31,670 – $64,440 | 40 |
| Hawaii | $38,890 | $31,933 | $34,770 – $48,450 | 120 |
| Maine | $38,740 | $31,852 | $33,420 – $51,500 | 50 |
| Kentucky | $38,330 | $31,754 | $36,600 – $42,400 | 320 |
| Arkansas | $37,800 | $31,291 | $33,870 – $43,700 | 2,140 |
| Massachusetts | $37,780 | $30,867 | $34,730 – $49,920 | 170 |
| Maryland | $37,650 | $31,007 | $31,200 – $51,070 | 130 |
| Rhode Island | $37,570 | $31,575 | $36,640 – $51,190 | 280 |
| Wisconsin | $37,510 | $31,450 | $30,130 – $53,210 | 2,620 |
| Virginia | $37,430 | $30,917 | $29,350 – $37,690 | 1,480 |
| Pennsylvania | $37,330 | $31,029 | $30,130 – $45,970 | 4,410 |
| Ohio | $36,800 | $31,519 | $30,350 – $45,520 | 2,440 |
| Georgia | $36,770 | $30,439 | $31,690 – $41,470 | 3,660 |
| Alabama | $36,360 | $29,842 | $27,600 – $45,080 | 240 |
| Connecticut | $36,290 | $30,631 | $34,880 – $49,000 | 70 |
| Tennessee | $35,790 | $30,937 | $29,770 – $46,880 | 650 |
| Florida | $34,430 | $29,845 | $28,680 – $39,420 | 400 |
| New York | $33,880 | $28,170 | $32,240 – $59,110 | 1,750 |
| Mississippi | $33,650 | $28,604 | $27,720 – $37,740 | 1,100 |
| Delaware | $31,200 | $26,194 | $31,200 – $31,910 | 50 |
| New Mexico | $30,560 | $26,366 | $28,500 – $33,720 | — |
| Nevada | $30,430 | $26,631 | $29,630 – $40,870 | 140 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a slaughterer and meat packer make?
The national median salary for slaughterers and meat packers is $40,130 a year ($19.29 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $33,340 and the top 10% earn over $51,090. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays slaughterers and meat packers the most?
Colorado has the highest median pay at $50,480. After taxes and local prices, Sioux City, IA offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many slaughterers and meat packers are there in the U.S.?
About 69,950 people work as slaughterers and meat packers nationwide.