Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers
Use hands or hand tools to perform routine cutting and trimming of meat, poultry, and seafood.
How to read this profile
BLS projects U.S. employment for Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers to increase by 5.7% between 2024 and 2034, from 149,800 to 158,300 jobs. Its estimate of 17,000 annual openings includes replacement needs, so it does not represent current vacancies, contract postings, or freelance demand. The wage ($38,300), 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)
149,800
Projected employment (2034)
158,300
Projected change (2024–2034)
6%
Annual openings (projected average)
17,000
Pay & Preparation
$38,300
No formal educational credential
None
Short-term on-the-job training
Essential Skills
Active Listening (3.12/5) • Critical Thinking (3/5) • Monitoring (3/5) • Judgment and Decision Making (3/5) • Speaking (3/5) • Coordination (2.88/5)
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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