Slaughterers and meat packers process livestock and prepare meat for distribution and sale. The work is hands-on, physically demanding, and you can start with a high school diploma. Here is what the job involves, what skills matter most, and how to get in.
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Your day involves handling and moving animal carcasses and meat products, inspecting equipment and materials for quality and safety, and performing repetitive physical tasks. You monitor production processes and surroundings to catch problems early. You identify and sort meat by type and quality, and you communicate with team members about procedures and standards. You follow food safety and health regulations closely. The work happens in cold environments and requires precision, speed, and attention to detail.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Slaughterers and Meat Packers earn a median of $40,130 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 2 percent from 2024 to 2034, little or no change for all occupations, with about 8,400 openings a year.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
Most positions require a high school diploma or equivalent. Some employers provide on-the-job training for new hires, teaching you equipment operation, safety protocols, and processing techniques. You will learn food production standards, inspection methods, and relevant health and safety laws. Employers value workers who can follow detailed instructions, listen actively, and think critically about quality control. Starting as an entry-level processor, you can advance to supervisory or quality control roles with experience and demonstrated reliability.
Entry-level positions in meat processing plants are the main route in. If you are exploring whether this path fits your skills and interests, Pathly can map the slaughterer and meat packer path that fits you to map out the steps with your counselor and build a plan that works for you.
You do not need a license to work as a slaughterer and meat packer, but professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
You are drawn to hands-on work in structured environments. You prefer practical tasks over abstract thinking, and you are reliable and detail-oriented in fast-paced settings.
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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).