Butchers and Meat Cutters Salary in the United States
As of May 2025, the median annual wage for butchers and meat cutters in the United States was $40,140 ($19.30 per hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES survey.
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $29,460 | $14.17 |
| 25th | $35,510 | $17.07 |
| Median | $40,140 | $19.30 |
| 75th | $48,050 | $23.10 |
| 90th | $58,110 | $27.94 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 51-3021
- Total U.S. employment: 136,430
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
What the data says
For career planning: entry-level pay (10th percentile) is about $29,460, median pay is $40,140, and experienced pay (90th percentile) reaches $58,110.
Pay spans a wide range: workers at the 10th percentile earn about $29,460, while those at the 90th percentile earn about $58,110 — a 2.0x gap between entry-level and top earners.
Butchers and Meat Cutters Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $36,500 | $17.55 | -9.1% | 2,350 |
| Alaska | $50,450 | $24.26 | +25.7% | 230 |
| Arizona | $45,780 | $22.01 | +14.1% | 2,130 |
| Arkansas | $34,380 | $16.53 | -14.3% | 1,290 |
| California | $44,290 | $21.29 | +10.3% | 18,700 |
| Colorado | $47,490 | $22.83 | +18.3% | 2,200 |
| Connecticut | $44,570 | $21.43 | +11.0% | 1,210 |
| Delaware | $47,040 | $22.61 | +17.2% | 250 |
| District of Columbia | $48,760 | $23.44 | +21.5% | 150 |
| Florida | $42,790 | $20.57 | +6.6% | 10,590 |
| Georgia | $38,540 | $18.53 | -4.0% | 4,420 |
| Hawaii | $50,080 | $24.08 | +24.8% | 500 |
| Idaho | $38,030 | $18.28 | -5.3% | 1,480 |
| Illinois | $39,240 | $18.86 | -2.2% | 7,710 |
| Indiana | $42,440 | $20.40 | +5.7% | 1,850 |
| Iowa | $37,750 | $18.15 | -6.0% | 4,480 |
| Kansas | $37,320 | $17.94 | -7.0% | 1,200 |
| Kentucky | $35,430 | $17.03 | -11.7% | 1,670 |
| Louisiana | $36,790 | $17.69 | -8.3% | 2,240 |
| Maine | $38,250 | $18.39 | -4.7% | 830 |
| Maryland | $44,130 | $21.22 | +9.9% | 1,500 |
| Massachusetts | $48,430 | $23.29 | +20.7% | 1,480 |
| Michigan | $39,350 | $18.92 | -2.0% | 4,230 |
| Minnesota | $43,930 | $21.12 | +9.4% | 1,590 |
| Mississippi | $29,700 | $14.28 | -26.0% | 1,160 |
| Missouri | $37,860 | $18.20 | -5.7% | 2,160 |
| Montana | $41,600 | $20.00 | +3.6% | 740 |
| Nebraska | $37,630 | $18.09 | -6.3% | 1,380 |
| Nevada | $40,290 | $19.37 | +0.4% | 1,560 |
| New Hampshire | $47,740 | $22.95 | +18.9% | 530 |
| New Jersey | $38,540 | $18.53 | -4.0% | 4,610 |
| New Mexico | $36,640 | $17.62 | -8.7% | 810 |
| New York | $47,080 | $22.63 | +17.3% | 4,540 |
| North Carolina | $38,240 | $18.38 | -4.7% | 3,120 |
| North Dakota | $40,080 | $19.27 | -0.1% | 470 |
| Ohio | $37,630 | $18.09 | -6.3% | 5,640 |
| Oklahoma | $35,070 | $16.86 | -12.6% | 1,810 |
| Oregon | $49,360 | $23.73 | +23.0% | 1,540 |
| Pennsylvania | $38,340 | $18.43 | -4.5% | 3,540 |
| Rhode Island | $45,210 | $21.73 | +12.6% | 260 |
| South Carolina | $39,790 | $19.13 | -0.9% | 2,380 |
| South Dakota | $37,310 | $17.94 | -7.1% | 520 |
| Tennessee | $39,960 | $19.21 | -0.4% | 2,650 |
| Texas | $37,400 | $17.98 | -6.8% | 11,260 |
| Utah | $43,440 | $20.89 | +8.2% | 1,500 |
| Vermont | $45,580 | $21.92 | +13.6% | 370 |
| Virginia | $39,770 | $19.12 | -0.9% | 2,630 |
| Washington | $51,670 | $24.84 | +28.7% | 2,660 |
| West Virginia | $33,570 | $16.14 | -16.4% | 600 |
| Wisconsin | $45,980 | $22.11 | +14.5% | 3,510 |
| Wyoming | $44,820 | $21.55 | +11.7% | 210 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES survey, May 2025
Related Occupations
- Dental Assistants — $48,070/yr
- Correctional Officers and Jailers — $58,940/yr
- Home Health and Personal Care Aides — $35,800/yr
- Retail Salespersons — $35,410/yr
- Fast Food and Counter Workers — $31,200/yr
- General and Operations Managers — $105,770/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for butchers and meat cutters?
The median annual wage for butchers and meat cutters is $40,140 ($19.30 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2025.
Which state pays butchers and meat cutters the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many butchers and meat cutters are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 136,430 butchers and meat cutters employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do butchers and meat cutters make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $19.30. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.