Median Salary
$40,130
per year, national
Hourly Rate
$19.29
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
Top 10% Earn
$51,090
entry level starts ~$33,340
Pay Grade
C
below-average pay · 70,000 employed
How much do Slaughterers and Meat Packers make?
Slaughterers and Meat Packers earn a median annual salary of $40,130 in the United States, which works out to roughly $19.29 per hour for full-time work. Most earn between $33,340 at the entry level and $51,090 at the senior end, with the middle 50% taking home between $36,150 and $46,870 a year.
That is $21,260 less than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Slaughterers and Meat Packers salary range by percentile
Half of all Slaughterers and Meat Packers earn between $36,150 and $46,870 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,340 | $16.03 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $36,150 | $17.38 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $40,130 | $19.29 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $46,870 | $22.53 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $51,090 | $24.56 |
|
Highest-paying states for Slaughterers and Meat Packers
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. Colorado leads the country for Slaughterers and Meat Packers pay at $50,480 a year, followed by Arizona ($49,020) and Nebraska ($48,910). At the other end, Nevada posts the lowest median at $30,430 — a gap of $20,050 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
Slaughterers and Meat Packers salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 47 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
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 $39,730California $39,420New 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
Workforce and education
About 70,000 people work as Slaughterers and Meat Packers in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $41,770 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Slaughterers and Meat Packers make in the United States?
The median Slaughterers and Meat Packers salary in the United States is $40,130 per year, or about $19.29 per hour, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates. Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $33,340, while the top 10% of earners make $51,090 or more.
How does Slaughterers and Meat Packers pay compare to other jobs?
With a pay grade of C (below-average pay), the Slaughterers and Meat Packers median of $40,130 is below the national median across all occupations tracked in BLS data ($61,390).
Which state pays Slaughterers and Meat Packers the most?
Colorado is the highest-paying state for Slaughterers and Meat Packers, with a median salary of $50,480 per year, based on official state-level BLS wage estimates.
What education do Slaughterers and Meat Packers need?
For most positions, a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, according to O*NET occupation data from the U.S. Department of Labor.
How many Slaughterers and Meat Packers work in the United States?
About 70,000 people were employed as Slaughterers and Meat Packers in the United States in the latest BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics estimates.
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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). Percentiles, employment, and state figures are official BLS estimates; hourly figures assume 2,080 hours/year. Individual pay varies by employer, experience, and location.