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The differences between meat cutters and butchers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a meat cutter and a butcher. Additionally, a butcher has an average salary of $32,047, which is higher than the $31,200 average annual salary of a meat cutter.
The top three skills for a meat cutter include grinders, food handling and food safety. The most important skills for a butcher are food safety, culinary, and safety standards.
| Meat Cutter | Butcher | |
| Yearly salary | $31,200 | $32,047 |
| Hourly rate | $15.00 | $15.41 |
| Growth rate | -3% | -3% |
| Number of jobs | 8,732 | 6,871 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 51% | High School Diploma, 42% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Meat cutters are responsible for cutting meat into small and convenient portions meant for retail. Most of the time, they must prepare the meat products by labeling them according to their weight, kind, and price. Aside from this, meat cutters must use and operate various cutting tools, keep their knives sharp and clean, and appropriately store products into freezers. Furthermore, it is vital to monitor the inventory while adhering to the health standards and safety guidelines.
A butcher is someone responsible for turning whole or large pieces of meat into ready-to-cook or retail-ready portions that can be purchased by customers or restaurants. Butchers know how to cut meat, poultry, and fish properly, so they deal mostly with sharp instruments like knives, grinders, and other cutting equipment. Butchers are knowledgeable in the science of temperature and aging to ensure they are of great quality at all times and adhere to health regulations. They are commonly seen in wet markets, supermarkets, grocery stores, butcher shops, and slaughterhouses, but some are self-employed or have their own meat shop.
Meat cutters and butchers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Meat Cutter | Butcher | |
| Average salary | $31,200 | $32,047 |
| Salary range | Between $23,000 And $41,000 | Between $25,000 And $40,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Mollie Stone's Markets | Omaha Steaks |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Finance |
There are a few differences between a meat cutter and a butcher in terms of educational background:
| Meat Cutter | Butcher | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 51% | High School Diploma, 42% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between meat cutters' and butchers' demographics:
| Meat Cutter | Butcher | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.3% Female, 12.7% | Male, 88.0% Female, 12.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 15.3% Asian, 7.5% White, 63.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% | Black or African American, 7.6% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 19.5% Asian, 6.6% White, 61.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 3% |