Butchers and meat cutters
BLS projects employment of butchers and meat cutters to change by +2.4% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations, with about 15,100 openings a year. The median annual wage in 2025 was $40,140 (all occupations: $50,980).
Updated
| Median annual wage, 2025 | $40,140 |
|---|---|
| Employment, 2025 | 138,400 |
| Projected employment, 2035 | 141,700 |
| Change, 2025–35 | +2.4% (+3,300) |
| Openings per year, 2025–35 average | 15,100 |
| Typical entry education | No formal educational credential |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
| Self-employed | 1.2% |
Read the official BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile ↗
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, Table 1.2 Occupational projections, 2025–35, and worker characteristics, 2025 ↗. Employment is for 2025, projections to 2035; median annual wage is for 2025; openings are the projected annual average for 2025–35. Figures are national, not local. Data last downloaded Oct 16, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How much do butchers and meat cutters make?
BLS reports a median annual wage of $40,140 for butchers and meat cutters in 2025.
What is the job outlook for butchers and meat cutters?
BLS projects employment to change by +2.4% from 2025 to 2035, with about 15,100 openings per year on average.
What education do butchers and meat cutters need?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as: No formal educational credential. Typical on-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training.