California Median
$39,420
per year
Hourly Rate
$18.95
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-2% vs US median
US median $40,130
State Rank
#25 of 47
6,170 employed here
How much do Slaughterers and Meat Packers make in California?
Slaughterers and Meat Packers in California take home a median of $39,420 annually — roughly $18.95 an hour — which runs 2% below the national median of $40,130.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $35,050 while the top 10% make $49,400 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $36,290 and $43,690 a year.
Slaughterers and Meat Packers salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,050 | $16.85 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $36,290 | $17.45 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $39,420 | $18.95 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $43,690 | $21.00 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,400 | $23.75 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 25th out of 47 states and territories for Slaughterers and Meat Packers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Slaughterers and Meat Packers salary in other states
Colorado $50,480Arizona $49,020Nebraska $48,910Kansas $48,240Montana $46,700South Carolina $46,000Oregon $45,980Oklahoma $45,970Michigan $45,850New Jersey $45,230Washington $45,100Illinois $44,950Missouri $44,490South Dakota $44,410Utah $44,040Iowa $43,820Indiana $43,770Minnesota $43,360Texas $43,160Vermont $42,220Idaho $40,370Louisiana $40,120North Carolina $39,930North Dakota $39,730New Hampshire $39,270Hawaii $38,890Maine $38,740Kentucky $38,330Arkansas $37,800Massachusetts $37,780Maryland $37,650Rhode Island $37,570Wisconsin $37,510Virginia $37,430Pennsylvania $37,330Ohio $36,800Georgia $36,770Alabama $36,360Connecticut $36,290Tennessee $35,790Florida $34,430New York $33,880Mississippi $33,650Delaware $31,200New Mexico $30,560Nevada $30,430
Working as Slaughterers and Meat Packers in California
Nationally, about 70,000 people work as Slaughterers and Meat Packers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($39,420) 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 Slaughterers and Meat Packers make in California?
The median Slaughterers and Meat Packers salary in California is $39,420 per year, or about $18.95 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $35,050 at the entry level to $49,400 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Slaughterers and Meat Packers about 2% less than the national median of $40,130. California ranks 25th out of 47 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Slaughterers and Meat Packers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $39,420 a year. About 6,170 Slaughterers and Meat Packers 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 Slaughterers and Meat Packers 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.