Butchers and meat cutters
SOC Code: 51-3021Also known as:
Beef Shoppe Clerk, Blockman, Butcher, Butcher Block Clerk, Cleaver
Median Annual Salary
$38,960
+1.0% growth (2024-2034)
17K
Openings/Year
143K
Current Jobs
What Butchers and meat cutters Do
Cut, trim, or prepare consumer-sized portions of meat for use or sale in retail establishments.
💰 Salary
$38,960
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
+1.0%
As fast as average
🎓 Education
No formal educational credential
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
17K
Projected average per year
📚 On-the-Job Training
Long-term on-the-job training
Expected training period
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
143,100
Projected Employment (2034)
144,500
Related Careers
Cooks, restaurant
$36,830 •
+14.9% growth
Food preparation workers
$34,220 •
-3.4% growth
Meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers
$37,700 •
+5.5% growth
Slaughterers and meat packers
$39,790 •
+2.2% growth
Top Skills Required
Active Listening
Reading Comprehension
Speaking
Critical Thinking
Monitoring
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- Prepare and place meat cuts and products in display counter to appear attractive and catch the shopper's eye.
- Wrap, weigh, label, and price cuts of meat.
- Cut, trim, bone, tie, and grind meats, such as beef, pork, poultry, and fish, to prepare in cooking form.
- Prepare special cuts of meat ordered by customers.
- Receive, inspect, and store meat upon delivery to ensure meat quality.
- Estimate requirements and order or requisition meat supplies to maintain inventories.
- Shape, lace, and tie roasts, using boning knife, skewer, and twine.
Technology & Tools
📚 Entry-Level Education
No formal educational credential
Most common requirement
🎯 Recommended Education
High School Diploma
O*NET recommended level
Degree Programs for Butchers and meat cutters
These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a butchers and meat cutters:
Meat Cutting/Meat Cutter
60 degrees awarded •
12 colleges offer this program
Best Colleges for Becoming a Butchers and meat cutters
Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become butchers and meat cutters.
| # | College | Location | Related Degrees | Repit Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Elizabethton | Elizabethton, TN | 6 | B |
| 2 | Bridgerland Technical College | Logan, UT | 10 | C+ |
| 3 | Madison Area Technical College | Madison, WI | 9 | C+ |
| 4 | Western Dakota Technical College | Rapid City, SD | 4 | C+ |
| 5 | Hinds Community College | Raymond, MS | 4 | C+ |
| 6 | Central Wyoming College | Riverton, WY | 1 | C+ |
| 7 | North Dakota State College of Science | Wahpeton, ND | 1 | C+ |
| 8 | Ridgewater College | Willmar, MN | 9 | C |
| 9 | Central Lakes College-Brainerd | Brainerd, MN | 8 | C |
| 10 | Eastern Oklahoma State College | Wilburton, OK | 6 | C |
| 11 | Walters State Community College | Morristown, TN | 1 | C |
| 12 | GateWay Community College-Central City | Phoenix, AZ | 1 | C |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do butchers and meat cutters make?
The median annual salary for butchers and meat cutters is $38,960.
What education do butchers and meat cutters need?
Most butchers and meat cutters positions require a no formal educational credential.
Common degree programs include Meat Cutting/Meat Cutter.
Is becoming butchers and meat cutters a good career choice?
Butchers and meat cutters is projected to see +1.0% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which is about average for all occupations. With approximately 16,900 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for butchers and meat cutters?
Top colleges for aspiring butchers and meat cutters include
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Elizabethton, Bridgerland Technical College, Madison Area Technical College, Western Dakota Technical College, Hinds Community College.
These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to butchers and meat cutters?
Butchers and meat cutters may also be known as: Beef Shoppe Clerk, Blockman, Butcher, Butcher Block Clerk, Cleaver, Halal Butcher, Hotel and Restaurant Butcher, Journeyman Meat Cutter, Kosher Butcher, Meat Butcher, Meat Carver, Meat Clerk, Meat Counter Clerk, Meat Counter Worker, Meat Cutter, Meat Dresser, Meat Loiner, Meat Service Team Member, Meat Slicer, Meat Specialist.
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.