Butchers and Meat Cutters
Butchers and meat cutters cut, trim, and prepare meat into consumer-sized portions for retail sale. Most work in grocery stores, butcher shops, or meat processing facilities. The work involves using knives and other cutting tools to break down large cuts into steaks, chops, ground meat, and other retail products.
Four short assessments and your background, scored against butchers and meat cutters and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
A day in the work
A typical day involves receiving shipments of meat, inspecting quality, and using knives and saws to cut and trim portions according to customer orders or store standards. Butchers maintain cleanliness and food safety practices, arrange meat in display cases, and may take special orders from customers. Work is fast-paced and requires attention to detail and efficiency to meet daily production needs.
Who this work suits
Holland code RCE. Realistic work is hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors. Aptly’s interest assessment scores you on the same six scales.
You tend to do well in this work if you're practical and detail-oriented, preferring hands-on tasks with clear procedures. You likely appreciate working with your hands, following established processes, and producing tangible results rather than abstract work.
What it takes
Preparation: Some preparation (usually high school; some on-the-job training). Most people in this occupation hold a high school diploma.
Skills that matter most
Knowledge areas
Who is hiring
Pay by state
| State | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $45,230 | $51,670 | $60,920 | 2,660 |
| Alaska | $41,210 | $50,450 | $57,600 | 230 |
| Hawaii | $41,160 | $50,080 | $59,160 | 500 |
| Oregon | $45,310 | $49,360 | $55,500 | 1,540 |
| District of Columbia | $39,450 | $48,760 | $59,030 | 150 |
| Massachusetts | $41,740 | $48,430 | $53,340 | 1,480 |
| New Hampshire | $44,610 | $47,740 | $50,970 | 530 |
| Colorado | $38,780 | $47,490 | $53,360 | 2,200 |
| New York | $37,840 | $47,080 | $58,260 | 4,540 |
| Delaware | $40,820 | $47,040 | $53,820 | 250 |
| Wisconsin | $37,300 | $45,980 | $49,130 | 3,510 |
| Arizona | $37,770 | $45,780 | $50,510 | 2,130 |
All 50 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico
Certifications people in this field hold
- AMSA Meat Evaluation Certification — American Meat Science Association
Training
Aptly members see WIOA-approved programs, colleges and certificates near them, with completion and earnings data, on every Path plan.
Job titles in this occupation
Related occupations
Four short assessments and your background, scored against butchers and meat cutters and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
O*NET-SOC 51-3021.00 · O*NET OnLine. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, annual, U.S. Employment counts are national.