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The 10 Best States for Butchers in 2026
Butchers play a vital role in the American workforce, contributing significantly to the food supply chain across the nation. Contrary to popular belief, butchers are not solely concentrated in states like California or the Southern regions; they are essential in every state.
Recognizing the importance of this profession, Zippia has conducted research to identify the best states for butchers in 2026. Our analysis focused on job availability, average salaries, and overall quality of life for butchers at various career stages.
We utilized data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine which states offer the most favorable conditions for butchers. Here are the top ten states where butchers can thrive:
This ranking highlights the best states for those pursuing a career as a butcher. Keep reading to discover how we compiled this list and what factors contributed to each state’s ranking.
If you’re interested in learning more about the job market for butchers, check out:
- These Are The 10 Best Cities for Butchers
- Best Companies to Work for in Seattle, WA
- These Are The 10 Companies That Are Hiring the Most in Seattle
How We Determined the Best States to be a Butcher
At Zippia, we engage with countless individuals from diverse backgrounds seeking employment. Our research indicates that job seekers generally prioritize two key factors:
- Job availability
- Competitive salaries
To identify the best states for butchers, we focused on job availability and salary information, using criteria from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment Statistics for 2023:
- Location quotient: Assessing the prevalence of butchers in each state.
- Average annual salary.
- Average salary for entry-level positions.
- Average salary for experienced professionals.
To ensure a fair comparison, we adjusted salary data relative to each state’s cost of living. For example, while butchers in California earn an average salary of $34,450, the same figure in Illinois stretches further due to a lower cost of living.
We assigned rankings from 1 to 50 to each state based on the criteria, averaging these to create a Job Score. The state with the lowest Job Score earned the title of best state for butchers in America.
1. Washington
Total Jobs: 3,710
Average Annual Salary: $40,600
Average Entry Level Salary: $25,990
Average Experienced Salary: $54,270
Location Quotient: 1.23
2. Wyoming
Total Jobs: 230
Average Annual Salary: $35,240
Average Entry Level Salary: $25,160
Average Experienced Salary: $47,900
Location Quotient: 0.92
3. North Dakota
Total Jobs: 470
Average Annual Salary: $35,040
Average Entry Level Salary: $25,600
Average Experienced Salary: $49,720
Location Quotient: 1.23
4. Nebraska
Total Jobs: 850
Average Annual Salary: $33,850
Average Entry Level Salary: $22,540
Average Experienced Salary: $47,210
Location Quotient: 0.94
5. Wisconsin
Total Jobs: 1,930
Average Annual Salary: $39,830
Average Entry Level Salary: $27,540
Average Experienced Salary: $52,060
Location Quotient: 0.73
6. Missouri
Total Jobs: 3,380
Average Annual Salary: $32,260
Average Entry Level Salary: $20,940
Average Experienced Salary: $43,120
Location Quotient: 1.3
7. Ohio
Total Jobs: 4,410
Average Annual Salary: $34,960
Average Entry Level Salary: $21,490
Average Experienced Salary: $48,300
Location Quotient: 0.88
8. Illinois
Total Jobs: 7,490
Average Annual Salary: $30,990
Average Entry Level Salary: $21,220
Average Experienced Salary: $47,700
Location Quotient: 1.35
9. Minnesota
Total Jobs: 2,050
Average Annual Salary: $37,100
Average Entry Level Salary: $22,190
Average Experienced Salary: $56,300
Location Quotient: 0.77
10. Delaware
Total Jobs: 160
Average Annual Salary: $39,140
Average Entry Level Salary: $26,610
Average Experienced Salary: $51,460
Location Quotient: 0.38
There You Have It – The Best States to Be a Butcher
If you’re embarking on a career as a butcher, consider these states for their high salaries, job availability, and opportunities for advancement.
Conversely, here are the states that may present challenges for butchers:
For further insights, explore:
- These Are The 100 Highest Paying Jobs In Seattle
- These Are The 100 Highest Paying Jobs In Washington
- These Are The 100 Largest Companies In Washington
- These Are The 10 Highest Butcher Salaries By State
Detailed List of the Best States for Butchers
| Rank | State | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $40,600 |
| 2 | Wyoming | $35,240 |
| 3 | North Dakota | $35,040 |
| 4 | Nebraska | $33,850 |
| 5 | Wisconsin | $39,830 |
| 6 | Missouri | $32,260 |
| 7 | Ohio | $34,960 |
| 8 | Illinois | $30,990 |
| 9 | Minnesota | $37,100 |
| 10 | Delaware | $39,140 |
| 11 | Arizona | $35,420 |
| 12 | New Hampshire | $42,080 |
| 13 | Virginia | $35,140 |
| 14 | Idaho | $32,440 |
| 15 | Indiana | $31,660 |
| 16 | Kansas | $32,800 |
| 17 | Michigan | $31,270 |
| 18 | Utah | $32,480 |
| 19 | Arkansas | $30,610 |
| 20 | Colorado | $35,090 |
| 21 | Montana | $32,820 |
| 22 | South Carolina | $33,190 |
| 23 | New Jersey | $43,680 |
| 24 | Alaska | $46,160 |
| 25 | Tennessee | $31,160 |
| 26 | Nevada | $35,160 |
| 27 | Kentucky | $30,340 |
| 28 | Mississippi | $27,350 |
| 29 | Alabama | $30,900 |
| 30 | North Carolina | $31,870 |
| 31 | Georgia | $29,810 |
| 32 | New Mexico | $30,390 |
| 33 | South Dakota | $31,650 |
| 34 | Connecticut | $44,880 |
| 35 | Iowa | $26,460 |
| 36 | Florida | $30,960 |
| 37 | West Virginia | $29,020 |
| 38 | Oklahoma | $28,600 |
| 39 | Oregon | $35,730 |
| 40 | Maine | $33,160 |
| 41 | Texas | $27,140 |
| 42 | Pennsylvania | $32,110 |
| 43 | Louisiana | $28,810 |
| 44 | New York | $36,500 |
| 45 | California | $34,450 |
| 46 | Rhode Island | $38,820 |
| 47 | Vermont | $35,370 |
| 48 | Hawaii | $40,920 |
| 49 | Massachusetts | $40,920 |
| 50 | Maryland | $39,810 |
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
