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Top 10 Cities for Butchers in 2026
As the demand for skilled butchers continues to grow, it’s crucial to identify the locations that offer the best career opportunities in this essential profession. If you’re considering a career as a butcher, understanding regional differences in salary and job availability can significantly impact your long-term success.
At Zippia, we analyzed data to pinpoint the cities in the U.S. that provide the most promising prospects for butchers—balancing high salaries with affordable living costs and ample job openings.
Using the latest statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), we compiled a list of the best cities for butchers:
- Bellingham, WA
- Bremerton, WA
- St. Joseph, MO
- Gadsden, AL
- Harrisburg, PA
- Hanford, CA
- Morristown, TN
- Springfield, OH
- Longview, WA
- Fond Du Lac, WI
The top city for butchers in 2026 is Bellingham, WA, noted for its high pay and job availability.
Conversely, if you’re contemplating where to avoid, Brownsville, TX, ranks as the least favorable city for butchers.
Continue reading to explore our research methodology and insights on the top ten cities for butchers.
How We Identified the Best Cities for Butchers
At Zippia, we engage with job seekers from diverse backgrounds. Our research consistently reveals two key priorities for job seekers:
- Job availability
- Competitive pay
To identify the best cities for butchers, we assessed job availability and salary levels, utilizing criteria derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment Statistics:
- Location quotient: A measure indicating the prevalence of butchers in a specific area.
- Average annual salary.
- Average annual entry-level salary.
To ensure fair comparisons across cities, we adjusted salary data relative to each state’s cost of living.
This analysis encompassed 338 metro areas nationwide, with the primary metropolitan areas designated as the ‘city’ for this study. For example, the “Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA NECTA Division” was simplified to Boston.
Each city was ranked for each criterion (1 being the best), and an overall Job Score was calculated by averaging these rankings. The city with the lowest Job Score emerged as the top city for butchers in America.
Now, let’s delve into the specifics of what makes each city stand out for butchers.
1. Bellingham, WA
Total Jobs: 140
Average Annual Salary: $40,790
Average Entry Level Salary: $28,180
Location Quotient: 1.73
2. Bremerton, WA
Total Jobs: 160
Average Annual Salary: $44,160
Average Entry Level Salary: $24,080
Location Quotient: 1.92
3. St. Joseph, MO
Total Jobs: 120
Average Annual Salary: $31,450
Average Entry Level Salary: $26,010
Location Quotient: 2.25
4. Gadsden, AL
Total Jobs: 50
Average Annual Salary: $33,160
Average Entry Level Salary: $25,250
Location Quotient: 1.47
5. Harrisburg, PA
Total Jobs: 440
Average Annual Salary: $34,680
Average Entry Level Salary: $29,000
Location Quotient: 1.41
6. Hanford, CA
Total Jobs: 70
Average Annual Salary: $42,310
Average Entry Level Salary: $25,800
Location Quotient: 1.75
7. Morristown, TN
Total Jobs: 90
Average Annual Salary: $31,680
Average Entry Level Salary: $21,990
Location Quotient: 2.09
8. Springfield, OH
Total Jobs: 60
Average Annual Salary: $33,870
Average Entry Level Salary: $22,710
Location Quotient: 1.26
9. Longview, WA
Total Jobs: 100
Average Annual Salary: $37,100
Average Entry Level Salary: $21,720
Location Quotient: 2.85
10. Fond Du Lac, WI
Total Jobs: 60
Average Annual Salary: $39,160
Average Entry Level Salary: $24,540
Location Quotient: 1.24
Conclusion: The Best Cities for Butchers
For aspiring butchers, these cities represent the best opportunities for high salaries, job availability, and potential career growth. Be sure to consider these locations when planning your career in the meat industry.
If you’re considering where to avoid, here are the cities that rank poorly for butchers:
Detailed List of the Best Cities for Butchers
| Rank | State | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bellingham, WA | $40,790 |
| 2 | Bremerton, WA | $44,160 |
| 3 | St. Joseph, MO | $31,450 |
| 4 | Gadsden, AL | $33,160 |
| 5 | Harrisburg, PA | $34,680 |
| 6 | Hanford, CA | $42,310 |
| 7 | Morristown, TN | $31,680 |
| 8 | Springfield, OH | $33,870 |
| 9 | Longview, WA | $37,100 |
| 10 | Fond du Lac, WI | $39,160 |
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.
