Tennessee Median
$37,590
per year
Hourly Rate
$18.07
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-2% vs US median
US median $38,300
State Rank
#28 of 50
2,970 employed here
How much do Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers make in Tennessee?
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers in Tennessee take home a median of $37,590 annually — roughly $18.07 an hour — which runs 2% below the national median of $38,300.
Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $28,090 while the top 10% make $44,220 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $31,310 and $40,440 a year.
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers salary range in Tennessee
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,090 | $13.50 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $31,310 | $15.05 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $37,590 | $18.07 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $40,440 | $19.44 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,220 | $21.26 |
|
How Tennessee compares
Tennessee ranks 28th 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 $37,740Montana $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 Tennessee
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 Tennessee pay ($37,590) 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 Tennessee?
The median Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers salary in Tennessee is $37,590 per year, or about $18.07 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $28,090 at the entry level to $44,220 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers about 2% less than the national median of $38,300. Tennessee ranks 28th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $37,590 a year. About 2,970 Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers are employed in Tennessee. 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 Tennessee?
The highest-paying occupations in Tennessee include Cardiologist ($610,080), Dermatologist ($433,630), Surgeon, All Other ($373,510), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers salary report
Related salaries
$46,570
median pay · 45,000 employed
$51,610
median pay · 60,000 employed
$40,110
median pay · 252,000 employed
$49,030
median pay · 9,000 employed
$43,960
median pay · 32,000 employed
$49,630
median pay · specialist role
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.