Slaughterer and Meat Packer Salary
Slaughterers and Meat Packers earn a median $40,130 a year nationally. Production Occupations
What slaughterers and meat packers do
Perform nonroutine or precision functions involving the preparation of large portions of meat. Work may include specialized slaughtering tasks, cutting standard or premium cuts of meat for marketing, making sausage, or wrapping meats. Work typically occurs in slaughtering, meat packing, or wholesale establishments.
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +2.0% (slower than average)
- Openings per year
- 7,700
- Self-employed
- 1%
Employment of slaughterers and meat packers is projected to grow 2.0% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 7,700 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.
Slaughterer and Meat Packer take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- 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 | Fresno, CA | $39,420 | $32,775 | $32,083 | 2,690 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Fresno, CA — $39,420
Slaughterer and Meat Packer salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | $50,480 | +18.0% | $41,228 | $38,910 – $59,520 | 1,590 |
| Arizona | $49,020 | +3.3% | $40,551 | $40,030 – $58,870 | 440 |
| Nebraska | $48,910 | +1.7% | $40,133 | $40,590 – $55,310 | 5,480 |
| Kansas | $48,240 | +2.0% | $39,049 | $39,180 – $57,660 | 2,170 |
| Montana | $46,700 | +1.1% | $38,265 | $37,450 – $53,680 | 80 |
| South Carolina | $46,000 | +18.4% | $37,538 | $33,740 – $47,260 | 250 |
| Oregon | $45,980 | +13.7% | $35,931 | $36,180 – $50,770 | 360 |
| Oklahoma | $45,970 | +3.2% | $37,594 | $33,290 – $45,970 | 1,560 |
| Michigan | $45,850 | +8.2% | $37,323 | $37,230 – $53,120 | 2,920 |
| New Jersey | $45,230 | +31.4% | $37,571 | $35,560 – $57,580 | 1,050 |
| Washington | $45,100 | −2.9% | $38,418 | $40,610 – $55,740 | 840 |
| Illinois | $44,950 | +10.2% | $36,217 | $33,970 – $49,910 | 3,360 |
| Missouri | $44,490 | −0.5% | $36,774 | $34,020 – $49,460 | 1,280 |
| South Dakota | $44,410 | +3.2% | $37,863 | $34,950 – $48,080 | 740 |
| Utah | $44,040 | +8.8% | $36,550 | $36,460 – $46,810 | 560 |
| Iowa | $43,820 | −1.3% | $36,376 | $33,750 – $46,060 | 4,220 |
| Indiana | $43,770 | +6.2% | $36,087 | $36,430 – $48,300 | 1,210 |
| Minnesota | $43,360 | +4.4% | $35,519 | $37,710 – $44,030 | 2,820 |
| Texas | $43,160 | +4.7% | $36,859 | $27,270 – $49,910 | 2,950 |
| Vermont | $42,220 | +3.3% | $35,123 | $31,970 – $58,060 | 50 |
| Idaho | $40,370 | +1.5% | $33,586 | $37,720 – $47,680 | 450 |
| Louisiana | $40,120 | +3.2% | $33,599 | $23,890 – $45,160 | 650 |
| North Carolina | $39,930 | +0.4% | $33,179 | $31,200 – $49,550 | 6,120 |
| North Dakota | $39,730 | −5.9% | $34,103 | $35,720 – $70,660 | 160 |
| California | $39,420 | +2.0% | $32,775 | $35,050 – $49,400 | 6,170 |
| New Hampshire | $39,270 | +4.2% | $33,733 | $31,670 – $64,440 | 40 |
| Hawaii | $38,890 | +0.9% | $31,933 | $34,770 – $48,450 | 120 |
| Maine | $38,740 | −0.5% | $31,852 | $33,420 – $51,500 | 50 |
| Kentucky | $38,330 | −6.7% | $31,754 | $36,600 – $42,400 | 320 |
| Arkansas | $37,800 | +8.7% | $31,291 | $33,870 – $43,700 | 2,140 |
| Massachusetts | $37,780 | −14.4% | $30,867 | $34,730 – $49,920 | 170 |
| Maryland | $37,650 | −0.4% | $31,007 | $31,200 – $51,070 | 130 |
| Rhode Island | $37,570 | +3.2% | $31,575 | $36,640 – $51,190 | 280 |
| Wisconsin | $37,510 | +2.4% | $31,450 | $30,130 – $53,210 | 2,620 |
| Virginia | $37,430 | +2.6% | $30,917 | $29,350 – $37,690 | 1,480 |
| Pennsylvania | $37,330 | +2.4% | $31,029 | $30,130 – $45,970 | 4,410 |
| Ohio | $36,800 | +0.9% | $31,519 | $30,350 – $45,520 | 2,440 |
| Georgia | $36,770 | +0.2% | $30,439 | $31,690 – $41,470 | 3,660 |
| Alabama | $36,360 | +10.4% | $29,842 | $27,600 – $45,080 | 240 |
| Connecticut | $36,290 | +6.0% | $30,631 | $34,880 – $49,000 | 70 |
| Tennessee | $35,790 | +1.0% | $30,937 | $29,770 – $46,880 | 650 |
| Florida | $34,430 | +6.0% | $29,845 | $28,680 – $39,420 | 400 |
| New York | $33,880 | −3.8% | $28,170 | $32,240 – $59,110 | 1,750 |
| Mississippi | $33,650 | −3.2% | $28,604 | $27,720 – $37,740 | 1,100 |
| Delaware | $31,200 | +6.8% | $26,194 | $31,200 – $31,910 | 50 |
| New Mexico | $30,560 | — | $26,366 | $28,500 – $33,720 | — |
| Nevada | $30,430 | −24.7% | $26,631 | $29,630 – $40,870 | 140 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Butcher and Meat Cutter | $40,140 | No formal educational credential | +2.4% |
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | $38,300 | No formal educational credential | +5.7% |
| 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% |
| Baker | $37,160 | No formal educational credential | +5.5% |
| Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders | $44,810 | No formal educational credential | +0.4% |
| Production Workers, All Other | $40,110 | High school diploma or equivalent | +0.8% |
| Photographic Process Worker and Processing Machine Operator | $40,610 | High school diploma or equivalent | -5.6% |
| Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $39,530 | High school diploma or equivalent | -13.7% |
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, Fresno, CA 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.