Arkansas Median
$34,380
per year
Hourly Rate
$16.53
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-14% vs US median
US median $40,140
State Rank
#49 of 51
1,290 employed here
How much do Butchers and Meat Cutters make in Arkansas?
Butchers and Meat Cutters in Arkansas take home a median of $34,380 annually — roughly $16.53 an hour — which runs 14% below the national median of $40,140.
Within Arkansas, entry-level pay starts around $24,920 while the top 10% make $45,100 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $29,050 and $39,560 a year.
Butchers and Meat Cutters salary range in Arkansas
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,920 | $11.98 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $29,050 | $13.97 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $34,380 | $16.53 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $39,560 | $19.02 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,100 | $21.68 |
|
How Arkansas compares
Arkansas ranks 49th out of 51 states and territories for Butchers and Meat Cutters pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Butchers and Meat Cutters salary in other states
Washington $51,670Alaska $50,450Hawaii $50,080Oregon $49,360District of Columbia $48,760Massachusetts $48,430New Hampshire $47,740Colorado $47,490New York $47,080Delaware $47,040Wisconsin $45,980Arizona $45,780Vermont $45,580Rhode Island $45,210Wyoming $44,820Connecticut $44,570California $44,290Maryland $44,130Minnesota $43,930Utah $43,440Florida $42,790Indiana $42,440Montana $41,600Nevada $40,290North Dakota $40,080Tennessee $39,960South Carolina $39,790Virginia $39,770Michigan $39,350Illinois $39,240Georgia $38,540New Jersey $38,540Pennsylvania $38,340Maine $38,250North Carolina $38,240Idaho $38,030Missouri $37,860Iowa $37,750Nebraska $37,630Ohio $37,630Texas $37,400Kansas $37,320South Dakota $37,310Louisiana $36,790New Mexico $36,640Alabama $36,500Kentucky $35,430Oklahoma $35,070West Virginia $33,570Mississippi $29,700
Working as Butchers and Meat Cutters in Arkansas
Nationally, about 136,000 people work as Butchers and Meat Cutters in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare Arkansas pay ($34,380) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Butchers and Meat Cutters make in Arkansas?
The median Butchers and Meat Cutters salary in Arkansas is $34,380 per year, or about $16.53 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $24,920 at the entry level to $45,100 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Arkansas pay compare to the national average?
Arkansas pays Butchers and Meat Cutters about 14% less than the national median of $40,140. Arkansas ranks 49th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Arkansas a good state for Butchers and Meat Cutters?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $34,380 a year. About 1,290 Butchers and Meat Cutters are employed in Arkansas. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Arkansas?
The highest-paying occupations in Arkansas include Dermatologist ($422,060), Neurologist ($317,880), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($262,470), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Butchers and Meat Cutters salary report
Related salaries
$41,640
median pay · 14,000 employed
$49,030
median pay · 9,000 employed
$50,690
median pay · 169,000 employed
$39,530
median pay · 13,000 employed
$49,630
median pay · specialist role
$53,710
median pay · 34,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.