A butcher or meat cutter prepares meat and poultry for sale in retail and food service settings. The work is hands-on, in demand, and you can start with a high school education. Here is what the job involves, what it takes to succeed, and how to get in.
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Butchers and meat cutters break down large cuts of meat and poultry into smaller, retail-ready portions. You'll use specialized knives and saws to trim, slice, and package products for customers and food service operations. The work requires you to inspect meat quality, follow food safety standards, and often interact directly with customers about their needs. You may also help with inventory management, pricing, and sales. It is precise, physical work that demands attention to detail and food production knowledge.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Butchers and Meat Cutters earn a median of $40,140 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is modest. Employment is projected to grow 1 percent from 2024 to 2034, little or no change for all occupations, with about 16,900 openings a year.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
Most butchers and meat cutters start with a high school diploma or equivalent and learn on the job. You will typically begin as an apprentice or entry-level worker, learning knife skills, safety practices, and meat handling under experienced supervisors. Some employers offer formal training programs. As you gain experience, you develop the critical thinking and monitoring skills needed to work independently. The path is straightforward and does not require a four-year degree, so you can earn while you learn.
You can enter this field through direct apprenticeship or entry-level positions at butcher shops, grocery stores, and food processing facilities. If you are exploring whether this path fits your timeline and interests, Pathly can map the butcher and meat cutter path that fits you and work through it with your counselor to build a clear next step.
You do not need a license to work as a butcher and meat cutter, but professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
You are drawn to hands-on, practical work with real materials and measurable results. You listen carefully to what customers need and communicate clearly about products and services.
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Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).