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Slaughterers and Meat Packers

Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed

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Perform nonroutine or precision functions involving the preparation of large portions of meat. Work may include specialized slaughtering tasks, cutting standard or premium cuts of meat for marketing, making sausage, or wrapping meats. Work typically occurs in slaughtering, meat packing, or wholesale establishments.

Pay & job outlook

Median pay: $40,130/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)

$33,340$51,090

Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.

Job outlook: +2.2% projected growth, 2024–2034 — about as fast as average.

About 8,400 openings per year, on average, over the decade.

Typical entry-level education: No formal educational credential.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.

Top skills
SpeakingActive ListeningCritical ThinkingSocial PerceptivenessMonitoringOperations MonitoringTroubleshootingQuality Control AnalysisOperation and ControlCoordination
Top knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceFood ProductionProduction and ProcessingEnglish LanguageLaw and GovernmentMathematicsAdministrativeAdministration and Management
Core tasks
Frequently asked questions

What's the median pay for Slaughterers and Meat Packers?

The median pay for Slaughterers and Meat Packers is $40,130 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What's the job outlook for Slaughterers and Meat Packers?

Employment for Slaughterers and Meat Packers is projected to change +2.2% from 2024 to 2034 - about as fast as average.

What education is typically required for Slaughterers and Meat Packers?

Typical entry-level education: No formal educational credential.

How many job openings are there each year for Slaughterers and Meat Packers?

About 8,400 openings per year, on average, over the decade.