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
Short-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.
Meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers work in a hands-on occupation focused on preparing animal products for consumers and businesses. National employment is about 147,000, and the role is projected to grow by 5.5%. With an estimated 18,000 annual openings, there are ongoing opportunities for both new entrants and experienced workers. The national median annual salary is $37,700, offering steady earnings for those who develop the required abilities. The role draws on fine motor skills, attention to detail, and physical strength and stamina, reflecting the practical, task-focused nature of the work. Interpersonal and customer service skills can also be useful in workplace interactions. Leadership, project management, science, mechanical, and mathematics skills may support advancement or more complex responsibilities within the field. Overall, this career can appeal to people who prefer active, physical work and who want a path that does not require formal educational credentials to get started.
The national median annual salary for meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers is $37,700. Pay levels vary by location. Among the top states by opportunity score, median salaries range from $36,570 in California and Massachusetts to $50,390 in Colorado. Washington offers a median of $43,010 and New York $37,330. At the metro level, median salaries span from $35,520 in New York-Newark-Jersey City to $42,750 in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont offers $39,930, while Boston-Cambridge-Newton sits at $38,830 and Washington-Arlington-Alexandria at $35,670. These differences show that earnings can shift significantly depending on where you work, with some states and metros offering higher median wages than the national median. Workers comparing offers or considering relocation can use these regional salary figures to gauge potential earning power.
Meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers have national employment of about 147,000 and a projected employment growth rate of 5.5%. This growth is consistent across the highlighted states and metro areas, which also show 5.5% projected growth. The occupation is expected to generate about 18,000 annual openings, which suggests ongoing replacement and growth-related hiring needs. Together, these figures indicate a stable demand environment, with opportunities spread across multiple regions. Because projected growth is positive and there is a sizable number of annual openings, individuals entering the field or looking to continue in it can anticipate a labor market with regular hiring activity. People considering this career can factor in both the current employment base and the growth projection when assessing long-term prospects, especially in locations that pair this growth with strong opportunity scores.
Location can significantly shape the experience of meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers. Among states, California, Massachusetts, New York, Colorado, and Washington stand out with strong opportunity scores ranging from 56.29 to 67.38. Colorado offers the highest listed state median salary at $50,390, followed by Washington at $43,010, while California and Massachusetts both list $36,570 and New York $37,330. Employment levels also vary: California has 9,270 workers, compared with 3,630 in Washington and roughly 2,350–2,470 in Massachusetts, New York, and Colorado. At the metro level, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara and New York-Newark-Jersey City have the highest opportunity scores, both above 77. Median salaries in these metros range from $35,520 in New York-Newark-Jersey City to $42,750 in San Jose. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, and Boston-Cambridge-Newton also present solid mixes of salary, employment, and opportunity scores, giving job seekers several distinct regional options.
For meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers, the typical education requirement is no formal educational credential. This makes the occupation accessible to people who want to enter the workforce without completing a degree or certificate program. Success in this career is strongly tied to skills rather than formal schooling. Fine motor ability and being detail oriented are important for performing precise, consistent work. Physical strength and stamina support the demands of an active, hands-on role. Interpersonal and customer service skills can help in working effectively with colleagues and, where applicable, customers. Leadership and project management skills may be valuable for those who move into supervisory or coordinating roles. Science, mechanical, and mathematics skills can also be relevant, supporting understanding of processes, equipment, or measurements. Overall, people who bring a mix of practical, physical, and interpersonal skills may find solid opportunities in this field without needing formal education credentials.
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