Slaughterers and Meat Packers Salary
The median slaughterers and meat packers salary in the United States is $40,130 per year ($19.29/hour). Salaries range from $33,340 at the entry level to $51,090+ for the top 10% of earners. There are 69,950 slaughterers and meat packers jobs nationwide. Employment is projected to grow 2.2% through 2034.
Last updated: June 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Median Salary
$40,130
per year
Hourly Rate
$19.29
per hour
Employment
69,950
jobs in the U.S.
Salary Distribution
10th percentile
$33,340
25th percentile
$36,150
Median
$40,130
75th percentile
$46,870
90th percentile
$51,090
Job Growth (2024-2034)
+2.2%
As fast as average
Annual Openings
8,400
jobs/year (growth + replacements)
Education Required
No formal educational credential
Training Needed
Short-term on-the-job training
Slaughterers and Meat Packers Salary by State
Best Cities (cost-adjusted) →Salary Map — Click a state for details
$30K$50K■ No data
Top Paying States
Colorado
$50K
+26%
Arizona
$49K
+22%
Nebraska
$49K
+22%
Kansas
$48K
+20%
Montana
$47K
+16%
South Carolina
$46K
+15%
Oregon
$46K
+15%
Oklahoma
$46K
+15%
Michigan
$46K
+14%
New Jersey
$45K
+13%
Vertical line = national median. Click a state for full details.
| State | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado | $50,480 | +25.8% |
| Arizona | $49,020 | +22.2% |
| Nebraska | $48,910 | +21.9% |
| Kansas | $48,240 | +20.2% |
| Montana | $46,700 | +16.4% |
| South Carolina | $46,000 | +14.6% |
| Oregon | $45,980 | +14.6% |
| Oklahoma | $45,970 | +14.6% |
| Michigan | $45,850 | +14.3% |
| New Jersey | $45,230 | +12.7% |
Showing 1–10 of 47
Slaughterers and Meat Packers Salary by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $52,180 | +30.0% |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $49,600 | +23.6% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $49,460 | +23.2% |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $48,120 | +19.9% |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $48,030 | +19.7% |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $46,990 | +17.1% |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $46,670 | +16.3% |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $46,390 | +15.6% |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $46,380 | +15.6% |
| Columbia, SC | $46,170 | +15.1% |
Showing 1–10 of 62
Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Data reflects the most recent annual survey.
How does this compare to pro athletes?
A slaughterers and meat packers earning $40,130/year would need 1485 years to match Stephen Curry's NBA salary, or 1595 yearsto match Patrick Mahomes' NFL contract.
See all sports & celebrity salaries →📈 See how slaughterers and meat packers salaries have changed over the past decade.
View Slaughterers and Meat Packers salary trend (2011–2024) →