North Carolina Median
$39,170
per year
Hourly Rate
$18.83
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+2% vs US median
US median $38,300
State Rank
#22 of 50
9,750 employed here
How much do Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers make in North Carolina?
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers in North Carolina take home a median of $39,170 annually — roughly $18.83 an hour — which runs 2% above the national median of $38,300.
Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $29,710 while the top 10% make $41,640 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $35,360 and $40,360 a year.
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers salary range in North Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,710 | $14.28 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $35,360 | $17.00 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $39,170 | $18.83 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $40,360 | $19.40 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $41,640 | $20.02 |
|
How North Carolina compares
North Carolina ranks 22nd 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 $39,170Kentucky $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 $36,870California $36,570Massachusetts $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 North Carolina
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 North Carolina pay ($39,170) 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 North Carolina?
The median Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers salary in North Carolina is $39,170 per year, or about $18.83 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $29,710 at the entry level to $41,640 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers about 2% more than the national median of $38,300. North Carolina ranks 22nd out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers?
Yes on pay — North Carolina pays above the national median for this occupation, at $39,170 a year. About 9,750 Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers are employed in North Carolina. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
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 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.