California Median
$44,290
per year
Hourly Rate
$21.29
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+10% vs US median
US median $40,140
State Rank
#17 of 51
18,700 employed here
How much do Butchers and Meat Cutters make in California?
Butchers and Meat Cutters in California take home a median of $44,290 annually — roughly $21.29 an hour — which runs 10% above the national median of $40,140.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $35,470 while the top 10% make $61,010 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $37,160 and $57,140 a year.
Butchers and Meat Cutters salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,470 | $17.05 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $37,160 | $17.87 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $44,290 | $21.29 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $57,140 | $27.47 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,010 | $29.33 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 17th 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 $44,570Maryland $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 $35,070Arkansas $34,380West Virginia $33,570Mississippi $29,700
Working as Butchers and Meat Cutters in California
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 California pay ($44,290) 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 California?
The median Butchers and Meat Cutters salary in California is $44,290 per year, or about $21.29 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $35,470 at the entry level to $61,010 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Butchers and Meat Cutters about 10% more than the national median of $40,140. California ranks 17th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Butchers and Meat Cutters?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $44,290 a year. About 18,700 Butchers and Meat Cutters are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Butchers and Meat Cutters salary report
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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.