Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers Salary in Illinois (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers in Illinois, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Illinois Median
$40,690
per year
Hourly Rate
$19.56
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+6% vs US median
US median $38,300
State Rank
#16 of 50
4,040 employed here

How much do Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers make in Illinois?

Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers working in Illinois earn a median salary of $40,690 per year, or about $19.56 per hour. That is 6% above the national median of $38,300 for this occupation.

Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $35,750 while the top 10% make $47,390 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $37,590 and $45,360 a year.

Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers salary range in Illinois

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$35,750$17.19
25th percentile (early career)$37,590$18.07
50th percentile (median)$40,690$19.56
75th percentile (experienced)$45,360$21.81
90th percentile (top earners)$47,390$22.78

How Illinois compares

Illinois ranks 16th out of 50 states and territories for Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Colorado$50,390
2Arizona$48,550
3Kansas$48,080
4Nebraska$47,580
5New Hampshire$47,260

Working as Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers in Illinois

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 Illinois pay ($40,690) 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 Illinois?
The median Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers salary in Illinois is $40,690 per year, or about $19.56 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $35,750 at the entry level to $47,390 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers about 6% more than the national median of $38,300. Illinois ranks 16th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers?
Yes on pay — Illinois pays above the national median for this occupation, at $40,690 a year. About 4,040 Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers are employed in Illinois. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers salary report

Related salaries

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.