How to hire a meat trimmer

How to hire a meat trimmer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step meat trimmer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a meat trimmer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new meat trimmer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a meat trimmer, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A meat trimmer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, meat trimmers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of meat trimmers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Meat Trimmer	Description	Hourly rate
   Meat Trimmer		$9-13
   Seafood Processor	Seafood processors are employees tasked with the job of processing and refining raw materials to finished goods. They sort, tend and operate relative machinery related to the processing plant as well as cleaning working space to ensure hygiene... Show more	$9-13
   Meat Cutter	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... Show more	$11-19

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Safety Regulations
   • Safety Procedures
   • USDA
   • Band Saws
   • Assembly Line
   • Seal Containers

   Responsibilities:

   • Collaborate with other workers at different stations to make quality embroidery
   • Work with equipment like meat saws, slicers, grinders, wrapping machines, and knives.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your meat trimmer job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A meat trimmer salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for a meat trimmer in Virginia may be lower than in Maine, and an entry-level meat trimmer usually earns less than a senior-level meat trimmer. Additionally, a meat trimmer with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average meat trimmer salary

   $11.47hourly

   $23,848 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level meat trimmer salary

   $19,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

   Average meat trimmer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	New York	$33,676	$16
   2	New Jersey	$30,639	$15
   3	North Dakota	$30,631	$15
   4	Illinois	$30,376	$15
   5	Illinois	$30,330	$15
   6	Utah	$28,857	$14
   7	Washington	$28,552	$14
   8	Washington	$28,546	$14
   9	Rhode Island	$27,297	$13
   10	Ohio	$27,056	$13
   11	California	$25,318	$12
   12	Minnesota	$25,315	$12
   13	Minnesota	$24,996	$12
   14	Texas	$24,660	$12
   15	Texas	$24,646	$12
   16	Texas	$24,616	$12
   17	North Carolina	$23,464	$11
   18	Alabama	$23,360	$11
   19	Colorado	$22,407	$11
   20	Florida	$21,562	$10

   Average meat trimmer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Hormel Foods	$32,735	$15.74
   2	US Foods	$31,568	$15.18	8
   3	Sysco	$26,987	$12.97	34
   4	Adecco	$25,398	$12.21
   5	Nippon Suisan Kaisha	$23,835	$11.46
   6	Rastelli Foods Group	$23,695	$11.39

4. Writing a meat trimmer job description

   A job description for a meat trimmer role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a meat trimmer job description:

   Meat trimmer job description example

   Job DescriptionCome work with a company that offers the opportunity to grow in your personal and professional life and be part of a dynamic organization. Our client is looking for talented, hard-working individuals to join their team.
   SUMMARY OF JOB EXPECTATIONS
   Ability to cut meat to customer specifications with a high yielding level of skill. Work at a pace to provide the team with proper level of trimmed product for further processing.
   
   QUALIFICATIONS Experience in Trimming Meat Experience working with knives Basic knowledge of various types of meat cuts Working in team environment Able to work in a very cool environment SKILLS AND RESPONSIBILITIES Ability to adjust to changes in daily goals based on customer needs Commitment to work until the job is completed, (some occasional flexibility in job hours) Interact well with others and a be a team player Results-oriented and detail-oriented Able to see deficiencies in raw materials Ability to identify the product by proper name at sight Ability to label/identify sub primal cuts after trimming Knowledge of basic cuts and trim that prep table is responsible for producing Some heavy lifting required
   Physical Demands and Working Environment
   Heavy lifting activities for this role. This position requires the candidate to be in refrigerated processing and warehouse areas. These areas are cold and wet and exposure to moving machinery and sharp surfaces are a regular occurrence. Proper gear will be provided.
   
   BENEFITS INFORMATION:
   This National company offers a full array of benefits.
   
   Nesco Resource and affiliates (Lehigh G.I.T Inc, and Callos Resource, LLC) is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristics with respect to employment opportunities.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right meat trimmer for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your meat trimmer job on Zippia to find and recruit meat trimmer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit meat trimmers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new meat trimmer

   Once you've decided on a perfect meat trimmer candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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