Butchers and Meat Cutters Salary by State
The national median pay for butchers and meat cutters is $40,140 a year. By state, it ranges from $29,700 in Mississippi to $51,670 in Washington.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $29,460
- 25th percentile
- $35,510
- Median
- $40,140
- 75th percentile
- $48,050
- Top 10%
- $58,110
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 136,430 jobs.
Median pay in 50 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $51,670 | +29% | $37,560 | $63,440 | 2,660 |
| 2 | Alaska | $50,450 | +26% | $35,810 | $71,460 | 230 |
| 3 | Hawaii | $50,080 | +25% | $35,020 | $69,530 | 500 |
| 4 | Oregon | $49,360 | +23% | $37,220 | $60,150 | 1,540 |
| 5 | District of Columbia | $48,760 | +21% | $38,140 | $63,360 | 150 |
| 6 | Massachusetts | $48,430 | +21% | $38,370 | $62,120 | 1,480 |
| 7 | New Hampshire | $47,740 | +19% | $38,690 | $57,510 | 530 |
| 8 | Colorado | $47,490 | +18% | $33,970 | $59,210 | 2,200 |
| 9 | New York | $47,080 | +17% | $35,980 | $66,580 | 4,540 |
| 10 | Delaware | $47,040 | +17% | $35,870 | $58,290 | 250 |
| 11 | Wisconsin | $45,980 | +15% | $33,170 | $56,210 | 3,510 |
| 12 | Arizona | $45,780 | +14% | $35,010 | $54,990 | 2,130 |
| 13 | Vermont | $45,580 | +14% | $35,160 | $59,070 | 370 |
| 14 | Rhode Island | $45,210 | +13% | $34,690 | $59,900 | 260 |
| 15 | Wyoming | $44,820 | +12% | $36,630 | $59,450 | 210 |
| 16 | Connecticut | $44,570 | +11% | $36,090 | $60,830 | 1,210 |
| 17 | California | $44,290 | +10% | $35,470 | $61,010 | 18,700 |
| 18 | Maryland | $44,130 | +10% | $31,200 | $59,030 | 1,500 |
| 19 | Minnesota | $43,930 | +9% | $34,790 | $59,540 | 1,590 |
| 20 | Utah | $43,440 | +8% | $32,060 | $53,470 | 1,500 |
| 21 | Florida | $42,790 | +7% | $29,640 | $49,160 | 10,590 |
| 22 | Indiana | $42,440 | +6% | $31,510 | $56,770 | 1,850 |
| 23 | Montana | $41,600 | +4% | $29,760 | $56,720 | 740 |
| 24 | Nevada | $40,290 | 0% | $29,070 | $54,190 | 1,560 |
| 25 | North Dakota | $40,080 | 0% | $22,390 | $57,160 | 470 |
| 26 | Tennessee | $39,960 | 0% | $26,520 | $47,710 | 2,650 |
| 27 | South Carolina | $39,790 | −1% | $31,150 | $47,980 | 2,380 |
| 28 | Virginia | $39,770 | −1% | $31,290 | $55,810 | 2,630 |
| 29 | Michigan | $39,350 | −2% | $29,900 | $50,740 | 4,230 |
| 30 | Illinois | $39,240 | −2% | $33,630 | $52,220 | 7,710 |
| 31 | Georgia | $38,540 | −4% | $28,790 | $48,190 | 4,420 |
| 32 | New Jersey | $38,540 | −4% | $32,220 | $65,940 | 4,610 |
| 33 | Pennsylvania | $38,340 | −4% | $29,000 | $58,130 | 3,540 |
| 34 | Maine | $38,250 | −5% | $34,780 | $57,670 | 830 |
| 35 | North Carolina | $38,240 | −5% | $28,510 | $50,080 | 3,120 |
| 36 | Idaho | $38,030 | −5% | $29,570 | $50,370 | 1,480 |
| 37 | Missouri | $37,860 | −6% | $29,280 | $55,320 | 2,160 |
| 38 | Iowa | $37,750 | −6% | $30,200 | $46,510 | 4,480 |
| 39 | Nebraska | $37,630 | −6% | $28,600 | $49,840 | 1,380 |
| 40 | Ohio | $37,630 | −6% | $26,940 | $50,090 | 5,640 |
| 41 | Texas | $37,400 | −7% | $23,760 | $55,160 | 11,260 |
| 42 | Kansas | $37,320 | −7% | $28,330 | $52,800 | 1,200 |
| 43 | South Dakota | $37,310 | −7% | $33,830 | $56,060 | 520 |
| 44 | Louisiana | $36,790 | −8% | $25,120 | $48,240 | 2,240 |
| 45 | New Mexico | $36,640 | −9% | $29,170 | $49,930 | 810 |
| 46 | Alabama | $36,500 | −9% | $26,430 | $47,960 | 2,350 |
| 47 | Kentucky | $35,430 | −12% | $22,890 | $47,690 | 1,670 |
| 48 | Oklahoma | $35,070 | −13% | $26,180 | $46,340 | 1,810 |
| 49 | Arkansas | $34,380 | −14% | $24,920 | $45,100 | 1,290 |
| 50 | West Virginia | $33,570 | −16% | $23,240 | $44,550 | 600 |
| 51 | Mississippi | $29,700 | −26% | $22,060 | $46,340 | 1,160 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Butchers and Meat Cutters salary questions
Which state pays butchers and meat cutters the most?
Washington, with a median of $51,670 a year (+29% vs. the national median of $40,140). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays butchers and meat cutters the least?
Mississippi, with a median of $29,700 a year (−26% vs. national).
Where do most butchers and meat cutters work?
California has the most jobs, about 18,700, with a median of $44,290.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.