Butchers and Meat Cutters

Cut, trim, or prepare consumer-sized portions of meat for use or sale in retail establishments.

How to read this profile

BLS projects U.S. employment for Butchers and Meat Cutters to increase by 2.4% between 2024 and 2034, from 138,400 to 141,700 jobs. Its estimate of 15,100 annual openings includes replacement needs, so it does not represent current vacancies, contract postings, or freelance demand. The wage ($40,140), education (No formal educational credential), and related experience (None) figures on this profile describe typical U.S. employees. O*NET skills describe the occupation; they do not assess an individual worker's proficiency.

Base employment (2024)

138,400

Projected employment (2034)

141,700

Projected change (2024–2034)

2%

Annual openings (projected average)

15,100

Pay & Preparation
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$40,140

No formal educational credential

None

Moderate-term on-the-job training

Essential Skills

Active Listening (3.12/5) • Time Management (3/5) • Speaking (3/5) • Critical Thinking (3/5) • Reading Comprehension (3/5) • Monitoring (3/5)

O*NET describes occupational requirements; these ratings do not measure current job-posting frequency or an individual worker’s proficiency.

BLS projections are long-term estimates; annual openings include growth and replacement needs and are not current vacancies.

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