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Poultry processors are essential in the food production industry, handling various tasks from processing to packaging poultry products. As of October 2025, the average annual salary for a poultry processor stands at $23,697, which equates to roughly $11 per hour. However, salaries can vary depending on factors such as location, experience level, and specific job roles.
In states like California and Texas, poultry processors can earn higher wages compared to other regions due to increased demand and cost of living adjustments. For instance, cities such as Los Angeles and Houston report some of the highest salaries in this profession, which can significantly impact overall earnings.
Experience also influences salary potential; those with several years in the industry often command higher pay. Entry-level positions may start around $11 per hour, but as processors gain expertise, they can expect their earnings to increase. Additionally, specialized roles such as quality control inspectors or supervisors typically offer enhanced salary packages.
Exploring these opportunities can provide valuable insights into the career landscape for poultry processors, helping individuals make informed decisions about their futures.
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The highest-paying states for poultry processors are Maine, New York, and North Dakota. The lowest average poultry processor salary states are Florida, Massachusetts, and Alaska.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kansas | $28,969 | $13.93 |
| 2 | Utah | $28,755 | $13.82 |
| 3 | Iowa | $29,397 | $14.13 |
| 4 | New Jersey | $30,401 | $14.62 |
| 5 | North Dakota | $30,677 | $14.75 |
| 6 | Maine | $33,812 | $16.26 |
| 7 | Indiana | $28,172 | $13.54 |
| 8 | Illinois | $29,613 | $14.24 |
| 9 | Wisconsin | $29,098 | $13.99 |
| 10 | Michigan | $26,297 | $12.64 |
| 11 | Oregon | $27,607 | $13.27 |
| 12 | Rhode Island | $25,752 | $12.38 |
| 13 | Idaho | $27,973 | $13.45 |
| 14 | Ohio | $26,023 | $12.51 |
| 15 | Washington | $28,112 | $13.52 |
| 16 | New Hampshire | $30,208 | $14.52 |
| 17 | Nevada | $25,192 | $12.11 |
| 18 | New York | $30,800 | $14.81 |
| 19 | South Dakota | $24,896 | $11.97 |
| 20 | Texas | $24,672 | $11.86 |
| 21 | Tennessee | $24,721 | $11.89 |
| 22 | Connecticut | $27,722 | $13.33 |
| 23 | New Mexico | $24,355 | $11.71 |
| 24 | Delaware | $25,797 | $12.40 |
| 25 | Vermont | $27,069 | $13.01 |
| 26 | California | $25,291 | $12.16 |
| 27 | Nebraska | $23,251 | $11.18 |
| 28 | South Carolina | $24,542 | $11.80 |
| 29 | Pennsylvania | $23,768 | $11.43 |
| 30 | Minnesota | $23,993 | $11.54 |
| 31 | Arkansas | $24,358 | $11.71 |
| 32 | Arizona | $22,900 | $11.01 |
| 33 | Montana | $24,738 | $11.89 |
| 34 | Virginia | $23,956 | $11.52 |
| 35 | Georgia | $23,432 | $11.27 |
| 36 | Oklahoma | $23,337 | $11.22 |
| 37 | Alabama | $23,303 | $11.20 |
| 38 | Colorado | $22,321 | $10.73 |
| 39 | Florida | $21,679 | $10.42 |
| 40 | Missouri | $22,404 | $10.77 |
| 41 | Kentucky | $22,346 | $10.74 |
| 42 | North Carolina | $22,851 | $10.99 |
| 43 | Alaska | $21,175 | $10.18 |
| 44 | Wyoming | $22,802 | $10.96 |
| 45 | West Virginia | $22,573 | $10.85 |
| 46 | Hawaii | $22,804 | $10.96 |
| 47 | Maryland | $20,837 | $10.02 |
| 48 | District of Columbia | $22,785 | $10.95 |
| 49 | Louisiana | $20,672 | $9.94 |
| 50 | Mississippi | $20,900 | $10.05 |
| 51 | Massachusetts | $21,660 | $10.41 |
The highest-paying cities for poultry processors are Fairfield, OH, Morristown, TN, and Greenville, SC.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fairfield, OH | $25,673 | $12.34 |
| 2 | Morristown, TN | $24,801 | $11.92 |
| 3 | Greenville, SC | $24,607 | $11.83 |
| 4 | Springdale, AR | $24,389 | $11.73 |
| 5 | Gainesville, GA | $23,496 | $11.30 |
| 6 | Decatur, AL | $23,343 | $11.22 |
A poultry processor's salary ranges from $19,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $28,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $28,000 | $2,333 | $13 |
| 75th Percentile | $26,000 | $2,167 | $13 |
| Average | $23,697 | $1,975 | $11 |
| 25th Percentile | $21,000 | $1,750 | $10 |
| 10th Percentile | $19,000 | $1,583 | $9 |
The highest paying types of poultry processors are bonder, ham boner, and boner.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seafood Processor | $23,630 | $1,969 | $11.36 | 8,962 |
| Processor | $32,098 | $2,675 | $15.43 | 11,448 |
Top companies hiring poultry processors now:
Poultry processor salaries at ManpowerGroup and Automation Personnel Services are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average poultry processor salary at companies like JCG Holdings and Amick Farms are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ManpowerGroup | $25,308 | $12.17 |
| 2 | Automation Personnel Services | $24,023 | $11.55 |
| 3 | JCG Holdings | $23,714 | $11.40 |
| 4 | Amick Farms | $23,539 | $11.32 |
| 5 | Gold Creek Foods | $23,477 | $11.29 |
| 6 | Koch Foods | $23,433 | $11.27 |
The average poultry processor salary has risen by $5,864 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average poultry processor earned $17,833 annually, but today, they earn $23,697 a year. That works out to a 23% change in pay for poultry processors over the last decade.
Compare poultry processor salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare poultry processor salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $23,700 | $11.39 | +6.9% |
| 2024 | $22,100 | $10.60 | +4.1% |
| 2023 | $21,200 | $10.17 | +6.3% |
| 2022 | $19,800 | $9.53 | +3.0% |
| 2021 | $19,200 | $9.24 | +2.5% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cypress Valley Meat Compa | Food Production (Poultry Processing): Poultry Processing Specia | Clinton, AR | 04/28/2025 | $25,044 |
| Cypress Valley Meat Compa | Food Production (Poultry Processing): Poultry Processing Specia | Clinton, AR | 03/28/2025 | $25,044 |
| Outstanding In The Field | Poultry Processor | Enon, VA | 02/18/2025 | $41,740 |
| Cypress Valley Meat Compa | Food Production (Poultry Processing): Poultry Processing Specia | Clinton, AR | 10/22/2024 | $25,044 |
| Cypress Valley Meat Compa | Food Production (Poultry Processing): Poultry Processing Specia | Clinton, AR | 07/17/2024 | $25,044 |
| Cypress Valley Meat Compa | Food Production (Poultry Processing): Poultry Processing Specia | Clinton, AR | 07/17/2024 | $25,044 |
| Arch Staffing | Poultry Processor | Batesville, AR | 08/26/2023 | $30,595 |
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