Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers Salary in the United States
As of May 2025, the median annual wage for meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers in the United States was $38,300 ($18.41 per hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES survey.
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $29,980 | $14.42 |
| 25th | $35,350 | $17.00 |
| Median | $38,300 | $18.41 |
| 75th | $44,170 | $21.24 |
| 90th | $48,150 | $23.15 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 51-3022
- Total U.S. employment: 145,700
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
Reading the data
With approximately 145,700 meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers employed, this is a major occupation in the labor market.
Across the United States, 145,700 meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers are employed (— per 1,000 jobs), making this one of the larger occupations in the national economy.
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers 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 | $31,080 | $14.94 | -18.9% | 9,140 |
| Alaska | $37,180 | $17.88 | -2.9% | 970 |
| Arizona | $48,550 | $23.34 | +26.8% | 620 |
| Arkansas | $37,980 | $18.26 | -0.8% | 9,030 |
| California | $36,570 | $17.58 | -4.5% | 9,270 |
| Colorado | $50,390 | $24.23 | +31.6% | 2,470 |
| Connecticut | $34,780 | $16.72 | -9.2% | 0 |
| Delaware | $35,500 | $17.07 | -7.3% | 5,430 |
| Florida | $31,160 | $14.98 | -18.6% | 2,310 |
| Georgia | $39,330 | $18.91 | +2.7% | 11,480 |
| Hawaii | $40,260 | $19.36 | +5.1% | 800 |
| Idaho | $39,200 | $18.84 | +2.3% | 280 |
| Illinois | $40,690 | $19.56 | +6.2% | 4,040 |
| Indiana | $42,450 | $20.41 | +10.8% | 2,640 |
| Iowa | $43,190 | $20.76 | +12.8% | 3,970 |
| Kansas | $48,080 | $23.11 | +25.5% | 5,000 |
| Kentucky | $39,150 | $18.82 | +2.2% | 1,450 |
| Louisiana | $27,850 | $13.39 | -27.3% | 1,690 |
| Maine | $39,170 | $18.83 | +2.3% | 660 |
| Maryland | $32,950 | $15.84 | -14.0% | 680 |
| Massachusetts | $36,570 | $17.58 | -4.5% | 2,350 |
| Michigan | $44,430 | $21.36 | +16.0% | 920 |
| Minnesota | $43,400 | $20.87 | +13.3% | 3,790 |
| Mississippi | $37,890 | $18.22 | -1.1% | 6,470 |
| Missouri | $41,890 | $20.14 | +9.4% | 2,880 |
| Montana | $37,440 | $18.00 | -2.2% | 60 |
| Nebraska | $47,580 | $22.88 | +24.2% | 8,340 |
| Nevada | $37,920 | $18.23 | -1.0% | 360 |
| New Hampshire | $47,260 | $22.72 | +23.4% | 0 |
| New Jersey | $34,930 | $16.79 | -8.8% | 0 |
| New Mexico | $31,240 | $15.02 | -18.4% | 240 |
| New York | $37,330 | $17.95 | -2.5% | 2,420 |
| North Carolina | $39,170 | $18.83 | +2.3% | 9,750 |
| North Dakota | $47,250 | $22.71 | +23.4% | 390 |
| Ohio | $37,020 | $17.80 | -3.3% | 3,540 |
| Oklahoma | $36,300 | $17.45 | -5.2% | 1,530 |
| Oregon | $36,060 | $17.34 | -5.8% | 910 |
| Pennsylvania | $36,480 | $17.54 | -4.8% | 1,600 |
| Rhode Island | $37,740 | $18.15 | -1.5% | 320 |
| South Carolina | $34,790 | $16.72 | -9.2% | 2,750 |
| South Dakota | $44,290 | $21.29 | +15.6% | 2,080 |
| Tennessee | $37,590 | $18.07 | -1.9% | 2,970 |
| Texas | $35,890 | $17.25 | -6.3% | 8,590 |
| Utah | $44,150 | $21.23 | +15.3% | 1,080 |
| Vermont | $40,110 | $19.29 | +4.7% | 40 |
| Virginia | $36,170 | $17.39 | -5.6% | 2,740 |
| Washington | $43,010 | $20.68 | +12.3% | 3,630 |
| West Virginia | $36,870 | $17.73 | -3.7% | 220 |
| Wisconsin | $43,300 | $20.82 | +13.1% | 2,040 |
| Wyoming | $37,040 | $17.81 | -3.3% | 70 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES survey, May 2025
Related Occupations
- Packers and Packagers, Hand — $36,280/yr
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers — $33,980/yr
- Substitute Teachers, Short-Term — $41,670/yr
- Computer Systems Analysts — $105,850/yr
- Childcare Workers — $34,980/yr
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors — $59,350/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers?
The median annual wage for meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers is $38,300 ($18.41 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2025.
Which state pays meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers 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 meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 145,700 meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $18.41. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.