US Turkey Industry Statistics: States With the Most Turkey Industry Jobs in 2026
Research Summary. On the 24th of November this year, millions of Americans will gather with loved ones to celebrate Thanksgiving, enjoying an estimated 46 million turkeys, as noted by the National Turkey Federation.
While we may not know the exact origins of this beloved Thanksgiving staple, we can explore the states responsible for the majority of turkey production and the job opportunities they create in the industry.
After analyzing government agriculture reports, here’s what we discovered about the top turkey-producing states in the United States:
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Approximately one in five turkeys produced in the US is served during Thanksgiving.
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The four leading turkey-producing states account for a significant portion of the country’s total production.
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Minnesota leads in turkey-related employment with 12,520 jobs and contributes the highest wages, totaling $765 million.
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While Minnesota raises the most turkeys (40.5 million), North Carolina generates the most revenue from turkey production.
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Butterball, headquartered in North Carolina, processes the largest amount of turkey annually, totaling 1.36 billion pounds.
Methodology
For this analysis, we consulted the National Turkey Federation for insights on job creation and wages associated with turkey production.
We also reviewed data from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to identify the states that raise the most turkeys.
States That Produce The Most Turkeys
The leading turkey-producing states surpass the rest of the country combined, with the top six states accounting for nearly two-thirds of the total turkey production.
Currently, Minnesota tops the list with 40.5 million turkeys raised, while North Carolina’s production, with 30 million turkeys, generates higher revenue primarily due to Butterball’s operations.
| Rank | State | Turkeys Raised | % of All Turkeys |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minnesota | 40,500,000 | 18.71% |
| 2 | North Carolina | 30,000,000 | 13.86% |
| 3 | Arkansas | 27,000,000 | 12.47% |
| 4 | Indiana | 20,500,000 | 9.47% |
| 5 | Missouri | 17,000,000 | 7.85% |
| 6 | Virginia | 14,500,000 | 6.70% |
| 7 | Iowa | 11,700,000 | 5.40% |
| 8 | California | 6,000,000 | 2.77% |
| 9 | Pennsylvania | 6,900,000 | 3.19% |
| 10 | Ohio | 6,000,000 | 2.77% |
| 11 | Michigan | 5,100,000 | 2.36% |
| 12 | South Dakota | 4,000,000 | 1.85% |
| 13 | West Virginia | 3,600,000 | 1.66% |
| 14 | All Other States | 23,700,000 | 10.95% |
Largest Turkey Processing Companies
As evidenced by the data, Butterball remains a dominant player, processing approximately 14% of the turkeys consumed in the United States.
States With The Most Turkey Jobs
The turkey industry directly employs over 112,832 individuals in the United States, with additional employment in related sectors. According to the National Turkey Federation:
Tens of thousands more are employed in associated industries, such as contract farming, distribution, equipment manufacturing, and various other services.
The leader in turkey job opportunities is Minnesota, home to renowned turkey producer Jennie-O.
States With The Most Turkey Wages
The states offering the highest turkey wages align with those employing the most individuals, with Minnesota also leading in average wages per job among the top production states.
Turkey Industry FAQ
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Who is the largest turkey producer in the US?
Minnesota farmers are the largest turkey producers in the US. These farmers produce up to 46 million turkeys annually, many of whom operate independently. Currently, around 450 farmers manage over 600 farms.
Conversely, the largest turkey-producing corporation in the US is Butterball, headquartered in North Carolina, producing approximately 1 billion pounds of turkey each year.
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How many turkey farms are in the US?
There are approximately 2,500 turkey farms across the US. These farms raised upwards of 216 million turkeys in 2021, with 46 million (21.3%) consumed on Thanksgiving that same year.
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Is there a turkey shortage in the US?
Yes, there is a turkey shortage in the US, but it is not severe enough to prevent Thanksgiving purchases. Turkey production remains active, although producers have reduced the number of turkeys raised due to inflation and the long-term effects of the Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreak, which has impacted turkey populations and contributed to rising prices.
Summary
The United States continues to be the world’s largest turkey producer and exporter, only second in consumption to Israel.
According to the USDA, the past decade has seen poultry meat consumption grow faster than red meats, and states are consistently increasing turkey production year over year.
For the states highlighted in our rankings, this is news worth celebrating as we approach the Thanksgiving season.
Author
David Luther was the Content Marketing Editor for the Zippia Advice blog. He developed partnerships with external reporting agencies in addition to generating original research and reporting for the Zippia Career Advice blog. David obtained his BA from UNC Chapel Hill.
