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Meat processor salary
Average meat processor salary
$13.36
Meat Processor Salary Overview
The average salary for a meat processor in the United States is $27,794 per year, equating to about $13 per hour. This figure can fluctuate based on various factors, including geographic location, years of experience, and the specific company. For example, meat processors in states like California and Texas may earn higher salaries compared to those in other regions due to the cost of living and demand for skilled labor.
Meat processors often find employment in various settings, such as processing plants and butcher shops. Entry-level positions typically offer lower wages, while experienced processors can command salaries upwards of $35,000 annually. There are also opportunities for advancement into supervisory or management roles, which can lead to significantly higher compensation.
To maximize earning potential, aspiring meat processors should consider gaining experience through internships or apprenticeships and seek certifications relevant to food safety and processing. This proactive approach can enhance their job prospects and lead to a more lucrative career in the meat processing industry.
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Where can a Meat Processor earn more?
Meat processor salary estimates from across the web
Average meat processor salary by state
The average meat processor salary in West Virginia, Kentucky, and California are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average meat processor salary states are Georgia, Mississippi, and Alaska.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for meat processors
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Mexico | $32,876 | $15.81 |
| 2 | Texas | $31,481 | $15.14 |
| 3 | California | $33,386 | $16.05 |
| 4 | Kentucky | $34,050 | $16.37 |
| 5 | Rhode Island | $30,631 | $14.73 |
| 6 | Michigan | $29,356 | $14.11 |
| 7 | Wisconsin | $31,502 | $15.15 |
| 8 | West Virginia | $34,750 | $16.71 |
| 9 | Nevada | $28,260 | $13.59 |
| 10 | Ohio | $28,808 | $13.85 |
| 11 | Connecticut | $30,214 | $14.53 |
| 12 | Pennsylvania | $29,350 | $14.11 |
| 13 | Montana | $29,045 | $13.96 |
| 14 | Arkansas | $32,139 | $15.45 |
| 15 | South Dakota | $28,639 | $13.77 |
| 16 | Vermont | $30,412 | $14.62 |
| 17 | Massachusetts | $30,695 | $14.76 |
| 18 | Minnesota | $28,229 | $13.57 |
| 19 | Oregon | $29,155 | $14.02 |
| 20 | New Hampshire | $30,686 | $14.75 |
| 21 | Delaware | $28,291 | $13.60 |
| 22 | New York | $30,555 | $14.69 |
| 23 | Wyoming | $27,647 | $13.29 |
| 24 | Utah | $26,894 | $12.93 |
| 25 | New Jersey | $27,475 | $13.21 |
| 26 | Maine | $28,150 | $13.53 |
| 27 | Tennessee | $26,173 | $12.58 |
| 28 | North Dakota | $26,967 | $12.96 |
| 29 | Nebraska | $25,777 | $12.39 |
| 30 | Hawaii | $30,403 | $14.62 |
| 31 | Maryland | $27,658 | $13.30 |
| 32 | Iowa | $24,821 | $11.93 |
| 33 | Idaho | $25,898 | $12.45 |
| 34 | Washington | $26,012 | $12.51 |
| 35 | South Carolina | $26,756 | $12.86 |
| 36 | Missouri | $26,099 | $12.55 |
| 37 | Arizona | $24,970 | $12.00 |
| 38 | Alaska | $24,188 | $11.63 |
| 39 | Colorado | $26,773 | $12.87 |
| 40 | Alabama | $25,588 | $12.30 |
| 41 | North Carolina | $25,154 | $12.09 |
| 42 | Kansas | $24,367 | $11.71 |
| 43 | Indiana | $24,471 | $11.76 |
| 44 | District of Columbia | $27,350 | $13.15 |
| 45 | Florida | $22,632 | $10.88 |
| 46 | Illinois | $24,935 | $11.99 |
| 47 | Oklahoma | $24,059 | $11.57 |
| 48 | Virginia | $24,676 | $11.86 |
| 49 | Mississippi | $24,260 | $11.66 |
| 50 | Georgia | $24,263 | $11.66 |
| 51 | Louisiana | $19,576 | $9.41 |
Highest paying cities for meat processors
The highest-paying cities for meat processors are Janesville, WI, Shelby, MI, and Eugene, OR.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Janesville, WI | $31,150 | $14.98 |
| 2 | Shelby, MI | $29,655 | $14.26 |
| 3 | Eugene, OR | $29,309 | $14.09 |
| 4 | Bowling Green, OH | $28,906 | $13.90 |
| 5 | Florence, AL | $25,947 | $12.47 |
Meat processor salary details
A meat processor's salary ranges from $17,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $43,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a meat processor's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $43,000 | $3,583 | $21 |
| 75th Percentile | $35,000 | $2,917 | $17 |
| Average | $27,794 | $2,316 | $13 |
| 25th Percentile | $21,000 | $1,750 | $10 |
| 10th Percentile | $17,000 | $1,417 | $8 |
Highest paying meat processor jobs
The highest paying types of meat processors are cold storage worker, processor, and meat clerk.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meat Cutter | $31,200 | $2,600 | $15.00 | 8,732 |
| Meat Clerk | $31,494 | $2,625 | $15.14 | 73,741 |
| Meat Wrapper | $30,975 | $2,581 | $14.89 | 8,296 |
| Processor | $32,098 | $2,675 | $15.43 | 11,448 |
Top companies hiring meat processors now:
Which companies pay meat processors the most?
Meat processor salaries at Tyson Foods and TPI are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average meat processor salary at companies like SCHOTT and J M Clayton Co are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyson Foods | $32,610 | $15.68 |
| 2 | TPI | $32,010 | $15.39 |
| 3 | SCHOTT | $30,942 | $14.88 |
| 4 | J M Clayton Co | $30,277 | $14.56 |
| 5 | CHARLES H. HAMILTON CO. | $29,786 | $14.32 |
| 6 | The Sage Group | $29,570 | $14.22 |
| 7 | Snelling | $28,991 | $13.94 |
| 8 | Caliper Family of Companies | $28,904 | $13.90 |
| 9 | ManpowerGroup | $28,762 | $13.83 |
| 10 | Midway Services | $28,598 | $13.75 |
| 11 | QPS | $28,492 | $13.70 |
| 12 | Aurora Packing Company, Inc. | $28,366 | $13.64 |
| 13 | Elwood Staffing | $28,204 | $13.56 |
| 14 | Williams Sausage | $25,614 | $12.31 |
| 15 | B&G Foods | $24,919 | $11.98 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Meat processor salary trends
The average meat processor salary has risen by $6,534 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average meat processor earned $21,260 annually, but today, they earn $27,794 a year. That works out to a 15% change in pay for meat processors over the last decade.
Compare meat processor salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average meat processor salary over time
Compare meat processor salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Meat processor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $27,800 | $13.36 | +4.8% |
| 2024 | $26,500 | $12.72 | +3.3% |
| 2023 | $25,600 | $12.30 | +2.6% |
| 2022 | $24,900 | $11.98 | +3.4% |
| 2021 | $24,100 | $11.57 | +3.5% |
Recently added meat processor salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JBS USA | Meat Processor | Denver, CO | 06/27/2025 | $42,784 |
| Empire Packing | Meat Processor | Denver, CO | 06/27/2025 | $42,784 |
| Personnel Services | Clod Puller-Experienced Meat Processor | Nome, TX | 06/03/2025 | $37,566 |
| Peopleready | Meat Processor | San Antonio, TX | 05/21/2025 | $26,088 |
| Personnel Services | Clod Puller-Experienced Meat Processor | Nome, TX | 05/14/2025 | $29,218 |
| Empire Packing | Meat Processor | Denver, CO | 04/28/2025 | $42,784 |
| Pat's Pastured | Processing Staff/Meat Production | East Greenwich, RI | 03/06/2025 | $35,479 |
| Buddig | General Labor-Meat Processor . | Kane, IL | 02/16/2025 | $37,566 |
| Performance Personnel Partners | Meat Processing | Wichita, KS | 01/08/2025 | $27,131 |
| Meier's Game Processing LLC | Game Meat Processor | Draper, UT | 01/03/2025 | $36,961 |
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