North Carolina Median
$38,240
per year
Hourly Rate
$18.38
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-5% vs US median
US median $40,140
State Rank
#35 of 51
3,120 employed here
How much do Butchers and Meat Cutters make in North Carolina?
Butchers and Meat Cutters in North Carolina take home a median of $38,240 annually — roughly $18.38 an hour — which runs 5% below the national median of $40,140.
Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $28,510 while the top 10% make $50,080 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $34,460 and $45,160 a year.
Butchers and Meat Cutters salary range in North Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,510 | $13.71 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $34,460 | $16.57 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $38,240 | $18.38 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $45,160 | $21.71 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,080 | $24.08 |
|
How North Carolina compares
North Carolina ranks 35th 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 $38,250Idaho $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 North Carolina
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 North Carolina pay ($38,240) 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 North Carolina?
The median Butchers and Meat Cutters salary in North Carolina is $38,240 per year, or about $18.38 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $28,510 at the entry level to $50,080 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Butchers and Meat Cutters about 5% less than the national median of $40,140. North Carolina ranks 35th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Butchers and Meat Cutters?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $38,240 a year. About 3,120 Butchers and Meat Cutters are employed in North Carolina. 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 North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), 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.