Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
No formal educational credential
None
Long-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Butchers and meat cutters work in a hands-on trade that combines physical skill, precision, and customer interaction. Nationally, there are about 143,000 people employed in this occupation, with a national median annual salary of $38,960. Projected employment growth of 1.0% and an estimated 17,000 annual openings suggest ongoing movement in the field, including opportunities for new entrants and those changing careers. This role can appeal to individuals who enjoy active, physical work and developing strong fine motor skills. It can also be a fit for people who like working directly with customers and colleagues, since customer service and interpersonal abilities are highlighted skills. With no formal educational credential typically required, this career offers a pathway into the workforce that focuses more on practical abilities—such as physical strength, detail orientation, and problem solving—than on formal schooling, while still providing room to build experience over time.
The national median annual salary for butchers and meat cutters is $38,960, but earnings vary across states and metro areas. Several states show higher median salaries, including Washington at $51,670, Colorado at $47,490, Massachusetts at $48,430, and New York at $47,080. California’s median of $44,290 also exceeds the national figure. At the metro level, Washington-Baltimore and major coastal metros stand out, with Washington-Arlington-Alexandria at $44,160, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont at $46,490, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara at $49,610, and Boston-Cambridge-Newton at $48,910. These figures indicate that location can meaningfully influence earning potential in this trade. Workers willing to relocate or target specific regions may find more favorable pay, especially in selected states and large metropolitan areas where the median salaries listed are notably above the national median for this occupation.
Butchers and meat cutters have a national employment base of 143,000 workers, with projected employment growth of 1.0%. This projected growth, paired with an estimated 17,000 annual openings, points to a labor market that is consistently generating opportunities. The combination of existing employment and new openings suggests that people entering the field can expect a steady flow of positions related to turnover, replacements, and modest growth. The uniform 1.0% growth rate shown across several highlighted states and metro areas indicates that expectations for future employment are relatively similar in those regions. For job seekers, this means the occupation offers a mix of stability and regular hiring activity, with room for both new entrants and experienced workers to find roles. Those considering this career can factor in both the sizable number of current jobs and the ongoing annual openings when planning their path into the field.
Location plays a significant role in opportunity for butchers and meat cutters, with several states and metros standing out. Among states, Washington offers a median salary of $51,670 and an opportunity score of 56.29, while Colorado shows $47,490 and a score of 56.97. Massachusetts and New York both combine higher median salaries—$48,430 and $47,080—with opportunity scores around 66, and California leads in employment with 18,700 jobs and an opportunity score of 67.38. At the metro level, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA has an especially high opportunity score of 77.42 and a median salary of $49,610. The New York-Newark-Jersey City metro follows closely with an opportunity score of 77.27 and employment of 6,220. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont and Boston-Cambridge-Newton also offer relatively high salaries and opportunity scores. These differences suggest that targeting specific states and metros can improve both pay and overall opportunity in this occupation.
For butchers and meat cutters, the typical education requirement is no formal educational credential. This makes the field accessible to individuals who want to enter the workforce without completing a traditional degree program. Instead of formal schooling, success in this career is closely tied to a defined set of practical skills. Important strengths include physical strength and stamina, fine motor skills, and mechanical ability, all of which support hands-on work. Being detail oriented and having solid problem solving and decision-making abilities are also key, helping workers perform tasks accurately and respond to day-to-day challenges. Customer service and interpersonal skills matter as well, indicating that interaction with customers and coworkers is a core part of the job environment. Leadership and project management skills can support supervising tasks or coordinating work. Together, this mix of physical, technical, and people-focused skills provides a clear roadmap for those preparing to enter or advance in the occupation.
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