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The differences between meat cutters and meat cutter apprentices 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 meat cutter apprentice. Additionally, a meat cutter has an average salary of $31,200, which is higher than the $30,581 average annual salary of a meat cutter apprentice.
The top three skills for a meat cutter include grinders, food handling and food safety. The most important skills for a meat cutter apprentice are quality standards, food safety, and customer orders.
| Meat Cutter | Meat Cutter Apprentice | |
| Yearly salary | $31,200 | $30,581 |
| Hourly rate | $15.00 | $14.70 |
| Growth rate | -3% | -3% |
| Number of jobs | 8,732 | 14,403 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| 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.
Meat cutter apprentices perform their duties under the supervision of more advanced meat cutters. Besides ensuring meat quality, meat cutter apprentices also rotate, prepare, keep, and receive meat products. Other duties performed by these professionals include displaying meat items correctly, serving customers, and maintaining sales, preparation, and storage areas as per the approved sanitation program. Also, they pack, price, and display meat products attractively. They cut orders as per specific demands, prepare and market meat products.
Meat cutters and meat cutter apprentices have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Meat Cutter | Meat Cutter Apprentice | |
| Average salary | $31,200 | $30,581 |
| Salary range | Between $23,000 And $41,000 | Between $22,000 And $40,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | - |
| Highest paying state | Washington | - |
| Best paying company | Mollie Stone's Markets | - |
| Best paying industry | Retail | - |
There are a few differences between a meat cutter and a meat cutter apprentice in terms of educational background:
| Meat Cutter | Meat Cutter Apprentice | |
| 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 meat cutter apprentices' demographics:
| Meat Cutter | Meat Cutter Apprentice | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.3% Female, 12.7% | Male, 90.4% Female, 9.6% |
| 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, 8.1% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 6.9% White, 64.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 3% |