SOC 51-3022 · Production Occupations

Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers

Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025United States, all industries

U.S. median annual wage$38,300

U.S. median hourly wage$18.41

U.S. employment145,700

Nationally, meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers earned a median of $38,300 per year as of the May 2025 OEWS estimates, across 145,700 jobs. Pay varies substantially by area — look up a specific state or metro below.

National pay distribution

Pay by state

Every state and territory with a published May 2025 estimate. “Not published” means BLS suppressed the value — it never means zero. Higher medians often track higher living costs; this is not a ranking of where the job is “best”.

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Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers: pay and employment by state
State
Colorado	$50,390	$24.23	2,470	0.9
Arizona	$48,550	$23.34	620	0.2
Kansas	$48,080	$23.11	5,000	3.5
Nebraska	$47,580	$22.88	8,340	8.1
New Hampshire	$47,260	$22.72	Not published	Not published
North Dakota	$47,250	$22.71	390	0.9
Michigan	$44,430	$21.36	920	0.2
South Dakota	$44,290	$21.29	2,080	4.6
Utah	$44,150	$21.23	1,080	0.6
Minnesota	$43,400	$20.87	3,790	1.3
Wisconsin	$43,300	$20.82	2,040	0.7
Iowa	$43,190	$20.76	3,970	2.5
Washington	$43,010	$20.68	3,630	1.0
Indiana	$42,450	$20.41	2,640	0.8
Missouri	$41,890	$20.14	2,880	1.0
Illinois	$40,690	$19.56	4,040	0.7
Hawaii	$40,260	$19.36	800	1.3
Vermont	$40,110	$19.29	40	0.1
Georgia	$39,330	$18.91	11,480	2.3
Idaho	$39,200	$18.84	280	0.3
Maine	$39,170	$18.83	660	1.0
North Carolina	$39,170	$18.83	9,750	2.0
Kentucky	$39,150	$18.82	1,450	0.7
Arkansas	$37,980	$18.26	9,030	6.9
Nevada	$37,920	$18.23	360	0.2
Mississippi	$37,890	$18.22	6,470	5.6
Rhode Island	$37,740	$18.15	320	0.6
Tennessee	$37,590	$18.07	2,970	0.9
Montana	$37,440	$18.00	60	0.1
New York	$37,330	$17.95	2,420	0.3
Alaska	$37,180	$17.88	970	3.0
Wyoming	$37,040	$17.81	70	0.3
Ohio	$37,020	$17.80	3,540	0.6
West Virginia	$36,870	$17.73	220	0.3
California	$36,570	$17.58	9,270	0.5
Massachusetts	$36,570	$17.58	2,350	0.6
Pennsylvania	$36,480	$17.54	1,600	0.3
Oklahoma	$36,300	$17.45	1,530	0.9
Virginia	$36,170	$17.39	2,740	0.7
Oregon	$36,060	$17.34	910	0.5
Texas	$35,890	$17.25	8,590	0.6
Delaware	$35,500	$17.07	5,430	11.2
New Jersey	$34,930	$16.79	Not published	Not published
South Carolina	$34,790	$16.72	2,750	1.2
Connecticut	$34,780	$16.72	Not published	Not published
Maryland	$32,950	$15.84	680	0.2
New Mexico	$31,240	$15.02	240	0.3
Florida	$31,160	$14.98	2,310	0.2
Alabama	$31,080	$14.94	9,140	4.3
Louisiana	$27,850	$13.39	1,690	0.9
Guam	$27,660	$13.30	Not published	Not published
Puerto Rico	$24,550	$11.80	80	0.1

Pay by metro area

All 134 metro areas where BLS publishes this occupation. Sort by median wage, employment, or local concentration — or see the highest-paying metros ranked.

Each dot is one metro area with a published median — hover any dot for the name and figure. Metros without published estimates are not drawn.

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Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers: pay and employment by metro area
Metro area
Topeka, KS	$52,050	$25.03	120	1.1
Sheboygan, WI	$50,410	$24.24	70	1.1
Omaha, NE-IA	$49,810	$23.95	1,920	3.9
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI	$48,890	$23.50	90	0.1
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO	$48,880	$23.50	230	0.1
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ	$48,550	$23.34	550	0.2
Sioux City, IA-NE-SD	$47,580	$22.88	1,700	22.6
Kansas City, MO-KS	$45,820	$22.03	470	0.4
Portland-South Portland, ME	$45,800	$22.02	310	1.1
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA	$45,750	$21.99	180	0.4
Akron, OH	$45,170	$21.72	60	0.2
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN	$44,280	$21.29	310	0.5
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN	$44,220	$21.26	430	0.4
Winston-Salem, NC	$44,020	$21.16	110	0.4
Boise City, ID	$43,480	$20.91	40	0.1
Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA	$43,340	$20.84	30	0.2
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$43,190	$20.77	1,370	0.7
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN	$43,150	$20.75	360	0.3
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	$42,750	$20.55	260	0.2
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL	$42,140	$20.26	230	0.2
Canton-Massillon, OH	$41,920	$20.15	190	1.2
St. Joseph, MO-KS	$41,890	$20.14	660	12.1
Fargo, ND-MN	$41,400	$19.91	40	0.3
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN	$40,690	$19.56	2,770	0.6
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	$40,640	$19.54	530	0.4
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	$40,090	$19.28	520	0.3
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$39,930	$19.20	610	0.3
St. Louis, MO-IL	$39,860	$19.17	390	0.3
Chattanooga, TN-GA	$39,790	$19.13	320	1.2
Naples-Marco Island, FL	$39,750	$19.11	40	0.2
Urban Honolulu, HI	$39,730	$19.10	510	1.1
Charleston-North Charleston, SC	$39,470	$18.98	40	0.1
Gainesville, GA	$39,420	$18.95	3,210	30.9
Reno, NV	$39,390	$18.94	90	0.3
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA	$39,300	$18.90	2,560	0.9
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	$38,830	$18.67	1,250	0.5
Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA	$38,770	$18.64	300	5.6
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA	$38,750	$18.63	140	0.7
Morristown, TN	$38,720	$18.61	260	5.4
Vallejo, CA	$38,660	$18.59	50	0.3
St. Cloud, MN	$38,650	$18.58	200	1.9
Jackson, TN	$38,620	$18.57	190	2.2
Lancaster, PA	$38,580	$18.55	60	0.3
Rochester, NY	$38,440	$18.48	180	0.4
Bellingham, WA	$38,340	$18.43	350	3.8
Elkhart-Goshen, IN	$38,300	$18.41	70	0.5
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA	$38,170	$18.35	50	0.4
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD	$38,150	$18.34	920	0.3
Springfield, MA	$38,050	$18.30	80	0.4
Green Bay, WI	$38,030	$18.29	670	3.8
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA	$38,020	$18.28	400	0.4
Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR	$37,980	$18.26	2,500	9.1
Hanford-Corcoran, CA	$37,950	$18.25	50	1.0
Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI	$37,940	$18.24	370	0.6
Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA	$37,940	$18.24	70	0.3
Syracuse, NY	$37,790	$18.17	110	0.4
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	$37,780	$18.16	80	0.1
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI	$37,760	$18.15	30	0.0
Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY	$37,630	$18.09	220	0.4
Richmond, VA	$37,630	$18.09	210	0.3
Salinas, CA	$37,630	$18.09	50	0.3
Columbus, OH	$37,600	$18.08	200	0.2
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA	$37,550	$18.05	40	0.4
Jackson, MS	$37,500	$18.03	2,230	8.2
Fort Smith, AR-OK	$37,460	$18.01	2,080	21.8
Port St. Lucie, FL	$37,440	$18.00	40	0.2
Salt Lake City-Murray, UT	$37,320	$17.94	200	0.2
Anchorage, AK	$37,280	$17.92	60	0.4
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA	$37,260	$17.91	350	0.2
Mankato, MN	$37,190	$17.88	30	0.6
Michigan City-La Porte, IN	$37,020	$17.80	60	1.5
New Haven, CT	$36,930	$17.75	Not published	Not published
Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC	$36,910	$17.75	210	0.9
Decatur, AL	$36,760	$17.67	870	14.2
Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV	$36,710	$17.65	260	0.2
Greensboro-High Point, NC	$36,670	$17.63	60	0.2
Cleveland, OH	$36,660	$17.63	280	0.3
Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH	$36,650	$17.62	50	0.4
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	$36,540	$17.57	4,340	0.7
Raleigh-Cary, NC	$36,470	$17.53	Not published	Not published
Huntsville, AL	$36,400	$17.50	30	0.1
Providence-Warwick, RI-MA	$36,320	$17.46	770	1.1
Stockton-Lodi, CA	$36,290	$17.45	120	0.4
Corpus Christi, TX	$36,270	$17.44	180	0.9
Modesto, CA	$36,270	$17.44	370	1.9
Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL	$36,220	$17.42	50	0.2
Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL	$36,160	$17.39	90	0.3
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA	$36,080	$17.34	900	0.5
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX	$36,070	$17.34	880	0.2
Oklahoma City, OK	$36,070	$17.34	60	0.1
Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY	$36,060	$17.34	110	0.2
Rochester, MN	$36,050	$17.33	60	0.5
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA	$36,030	$17.32	160	0.5
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	$35,670	$17.15	550	0.2
Columbia, SC	$35,660	$17.15	870	2.2
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ	$35,520	$17.08	2,170	0.2
Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA	$35,490	$17.06	70	0.3
Birmingham, AL	$35,410	$17.02	Not published	Not published
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT	$35,340	$16.99	Not published	Not published
Merced, CA	$35,070	$16.86	370	4.7
Bangor, ME	$35,010	$16.83	50	0.7
Bakersfield-Delano, CA	$34,980	$16.82	80	0.2
Binghamton, NY	$34,470	$16.57	40	0.4
Duluth, MN-WI	$34,420	$16.55	30	0.3
San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX	$34,240	$16.46	250	0.2
Waterbury-Shelton, CT	$34,010	$16.35	Not published	Not published
North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL	$33,710	$16.21	70	0.2
Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC	$33,580	$16.14	660	0.9
Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR	$33,470	$16.09	280	0.8
Trenton-Princeton, NJ	$32,690	$15.72	80	0.3
Jacksonville, FL	$32,470	$15.61	120	0.2
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX	$32,430	$15.59	710	0.2
Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY	$32,240	$15.50	190	0.7
Salisbury, MD	$32,210	$15.49	60	1.1
Albuquerque, NM	$32,170	$15.47	70	0.2
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD	$32,070	$15.42	260	0.2
Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA	$31,380	$15.09	60	0.5
Knoxville, TN	$30,520	$14.68	330	0.8
Memphis, TN-MS-AR	$30,190	$14.51	330	0.5
Cleveland, TN	$30,160	$14.50	30	0.8
Johnson City, TN	$29,860	$14.35	50	0.6
Cedar Rapids, IA	$29,400	$14.14	30	0.2
Clarksville, TN-KY	$29,320	$14.09	40	0.4
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL	$28,840	$13.86	1,070	0.4
New Orleans-Metairie, LA	$28,630	$13.77	440	1.0
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL	$28,440	$13.67	240	0.2
Gulfport-Biloxi, MS	$28,260	$13.59	280	1.8
McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX	$27,460	$13.20	120	0.4
Monroe, LA	$26,670	$12.82	50	0.5
Mobile, AL	$26,470	$12.72	380	2.2
San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR	$24,550	$11.80	70	0.1
Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA	$23,290	$11.20	100	1.2
Rocky Mount, NC	$21,470	$10.32	Not published	Not published
Worcester, MA	Not published	Not published	510	1.5

About this data. Estimates are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, May 2025 release, retrieved from bls.gov/oes/tables.htm on July 24, 2026. OEWS estimates describe metropolitan/nonmetropolitan areas and states — not city limits — and are not designed for year-over-year comparisons. See BLS methodology, our plain-English methodology, and sources. CitySalaryData is independent and not affiliated with BLS.