California Median
$36,570
per year
Hourly Rate
$17.58
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-5% vs US median
US median $38,300
State Rank
#35 of 50
9,270 employed here
How much do Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers make in California?
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers in California take home a median of $36,570 annually — roughly $17.58 an hour — which runs 5% below the national median of $38,300.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $34,950 while the top 10% make $46,040 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $35,710 and $40,210 a year.
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,950 | $16.80 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $35,710 | $17.17 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $36,570 | $17.58 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $40,210 | $19.33 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,040 | $22.13 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 35th out of 50 states and territories for Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers salary in other states
Colorado $50,390Arizona $48,550Kansas $48,080Nebraska $47,580New Hampshire $47,260North Dakota $47,250Michigan $44,430South Dakota $44,290Utah $44,150Minnesota $43,400Wisconsin $43,300Iowa $43,190Washington $43,010Indiana $42,450Missouri $41,890Illinois $40,690Hawaii $40,260Vermont $40,110Georgia $39,330Idaho $39,200Maine $39,170North Carolina $39,170Kentucky $39,150Arkansas $37,980Nevada $37,920Mississippi $37,890Rhode Island $37,740Tennessee $37,590Montana $37,440New York $37,330Alaska $37,180Wyoming $37,040Ohio $37,020West Virginia $36,870Massachusetts $36,570Pennsylvania $36,480Oklahoma $36,300Virginia $36,170Oregon $36,060Texas $35,890Delaware $35,500New Jersey $34,930South Carolina $34,790Connecticut $34,780Maryland $32,950New Mexico $31,240Florida $31,160Alabama $31,080Louisiana $27,850
Working as Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers in California
Nationally, about 146,000 people work as Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($36,570) 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 Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers make in California?
The median Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers salary in California is $36,570 per year, or about $17.58 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $34,950 at the entry level to $46,040 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers about 5% less than the national median of $38,300. California ranks 35th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $36,570 a year. About 9,270 Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers are employed in California. 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 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 Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers 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.