How to become butchers and meat cutterseducation, training, experience and the steps to enter

United States Manufacturing & Repair Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay

$40,140

25th–75th pct. $35,510–$48,050

Top pay (est.)

$75,500

Top 10% $58,110

Pay in 5 years

$46,600est.

2031

Pay in 10 years

$54,200est.

$46,600–$62,900

Outlook score

47/100

★★☆☆☆ Average

AI replacement risk

34%

Low

Job growth (10 yr)

+2.4%

15K openings / yr

How to become butchers and meat cutters

Typical education

No formal educational credential

BLS

Related experience

None

On-the-job training

Moderate-term on-the-job training

A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.

Skills, education and requirements for Butchers and Meat Cutters

Key skills

Reading Comprehension

3.0

Active Listening

3.0

Speaking

3.0

Management of Personnel Resources

3.0

Critical Thinking

3.0

Time Management

3.0

Persuasion

2.9

Social Perceptiveness

2.9

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Food Production

4.1

Customer and Personal Service

3.8

Production and Processing

3.3

Sales and Marketing

2.6

Mechanical

2.4

Mathematics

2.2

Administration and Management

2.1

English Language

2.1

What the work involves

Handling and Moving ObjectsPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicControlling Machines and ProcessesIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsPerforming General Physical ActivitiesEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsGetting InformationCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Important abilities

Near VisionManual DexterityOral ExpressionFinger DexterityControl PrecisionArm-Hand Steadiness

Education of workers

High school diploma

70%

Less than high school

20%

Some college

Post-secondary certificate

Training before entry

Up to 1 month

38%

6–12 months

24%

None / short demo

16%

1–3 months

10%

3–6 months

2–4 years

1–2 years

Related work experience

2–4 years

32%

1–2 years

31%

None

6–12 months

1–3 months

Up to 1 month

3–6 months

4–6 years

6–8 years

Job Zone 2 — some preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★★☆☆☆ Fairly easy (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Career path and how to earn more as butchers and meat cutters

Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.

Related occupations

	Occupation	Pay	Outlook	AI risk
1	Maintenance and Repair Workers, General Perform work involving the skills of two or more maintenance or craft occupations to keep machines, mechanical equipment, or the structure of a building in repair.	$49,590	60/100	26%
2	Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul automotive vehicles.	$50,620	61/100	27%
3	First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of production and operating workers, such as inspectors, precision workers, machine setters and operators, assemblers, fabricators, and plant and system operators.	$74,450	50/100	47%
4	First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of mechanics, installers, and repairers.	$79,860	58/100	38%
5	Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers Inspect, test, sort, sample, or weigh nonagricultural raw materials or processed, machined, fabricated, or assembled parts or products for defects, wear, and deviations from specifications.	$48,570	45/100	55%
6	Industrial Machinery Mechanics Repair, install, adjust, or maintain industrial production and processing machinery or refinery and pipeline distribution systems.	$64,520	74/100	26%

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data

Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.