Slaughterers and Meat Packers Salary in the United States
Median annual wage: $40,130 · Median hourly: $19.29 · Employment: 69,950
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $33,340 | $16.03 |
| 25th | $36,150 | $17.38 |
| Median | $40,130 | $19.29 |
| 75th | $46,870 | $22.54 |
| 90th | $51,090 | $24.56 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 51-3023
- Total U.S. employment: 69,950
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
What the data says
For career planning: entry-level pay (10th percentile) is about $33,340, median pay is $40,130, and experienced pay (90th percentile) reaches $51,090.
The median wage in this area is 0.0% below the national median — a difference of about $0 per year for a typical worker.
Slaughterers and Meat Packers 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 | $36,360 | $17.48 | -9.4% | 240 |
| Arizona | $49,020 | $23.57 | +22.2% | 440 |
| Arkansas | $37,800 | $18.17 | -5.8% | 2,140 |
| California | $39,420 | $18.95 | -1.8% | 6,170 |
| Colorado | $50,480 | $24.27 | +25.8% | 1,590 |
| Connecticut | $36,290 | $17.45 | -9.6% | 70 |
| Delaware | $31,200 | $15.00 | -22.3% | 50 |
| Florida | $34,430 | $16.56 | -14.2% | 400 |
| Georgia | $36,770 | $17.68 | -8.4% | 3,660 |
| Hawaii | $38,890 | $18.70 | -3.1% | 120 |
| Idaho | $40,370 | $19.41 | +0.6% | 450 |
| Illinois | $44,950 | $21.61 | +12.0% | 3,360 |
| Indiana | $43,770 | $21.05 | +9.1% | 1,210 |
| Iowa | $43,820 | $21.07 | +9.2% | 4,220 |
| Kansas | $48,240 | $23.19 | +20.2% | 2,170 |
| Kentucky | $38,330 | $18.43 | -4.5% | 320 |
| Louisiana | $40,120 | $19.29 | -0.0% | 650 |
| Maine | $38,740 | $18.63 | -3.5% | 50 |
| Maryland | $37,650 | $18.10 | -6.2% | 130 |
| Massachusetts | $37,780 | $18.16 | -5.9% | 170 |
| Michigan | $45,850 | $22.04 | +14.3% | 2,920 |
| Minnesota | $43,360 | $20.85 | +8.0% | 2,820 |
| Mississippi | $33,650 | $16.18 | -16.1% | 1,100 |
| Missouri | $44,490 | $21.39 | +10.9% | 1,280 |
| Montana | $46,700 | $22.45 | +16.4% | 80 |
| Nebraska | $48,910 | $23.52 | +21.9% | 5,480 |
| Nevada | $30,430 | $14.63 | -24.2% | 140 |
| New Hampshire | $39,270 | $18.88 | -2.1% | 40 |
| New Jersey | $45,230 | $21.75 | +12.7% | 1,050 |
| New Mexico | $30,560 | $14.69 | -23.8% | 0 |
| New York | $33,880 | $16.29 | -15.6% | 1,750 |
| North Carolina | $39,930 | $19.20 | -0.5% | 6,120 |
| North Dakota | $39,730 | $19.10 | -1.0% | 160 |
| Ohio | $36,800 | $17.69 | -8.3% | 2,440 |
| Oklahoma | $45,970 | $22.10 | +14.6% | 1,560 |
| Oregon | $45,980 | $22.11 | +14.6% | 360 |
| Pennsylvania | $37,330 | $17.95 | -7.0% | 4,410 |
| Rhode Island | $37,570 | $18.06 | -6.4% | 280 |
| South Carolina | $46,000 | $22.12 | +14.6% | 250 |
| South Dakota | $44,410 | $21.35 | +10.7% | 740 |
| Tennessee | $35,790 | $17.21 | -10.8% | 650 |
| Texas | $43,160 | $20.75 | +7.6% | 2,950 |
| Utah | $44,040 | $21.17 | +9.7% | 560 |
| Vermont | $42,220 | $20.30 | +5.2% | 50 |
| Virginia | $37,430 | $18.00 | -6.7% | 1,480 |
| Washington | $45,100 | $21.68 | +12.4% | 840 |
| Wisconsin | $37,510 | $18.03 | -6.5% | 2,620 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES, May 2024 (updated April 2025)
Related Occupations
- Waiters and Waitresses — $35,230/yr
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners — $36,840/yr
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers — $58,640/yr
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive — $47,540/yr
- Software Developers — $135,980/yr
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General — $49,590/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for slaughterers and meat packers?
The median annual wage for slaughterers and meat packers is $40,130 ($19.29 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2024.
Which state pays slaughterers and meat packers 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 slaughterers and meat packers are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 69,950 slaughterers and meat packers employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do slaughterers and meat packers make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $19.29. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.