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Production

Butchers and Meat Cutters

Cut, trim, or prepare consumer-sized portions of meat for use or sale in retail establishments.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Butchers and Meat Cutters
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Median pay

$38,960
Median annual pay for Butchers and Meat Cutters.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

1%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

16,900
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

143,100
Estimated U.S. employment for Butchers and Meat Cutters in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

+1,400
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

No formal educational credential
Typical additional preparation: Long-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Active Listening
  2. 2Critical Thinking
  3. 3Monitoring
  4. 4Reading Comprehension
  5. 5Speaking
  6. 6Active Learning

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Customer and Personal Service
  2. 2Food Production
  3. 3Production and Processing
  4. 4Sales and Marketing
  5. 5English Language
  6. 6Administration and Management

Abilities

  1. 1Manual Dexterity
  2. 2Near Vision
  3. 3Arm-Hand Steadiness
  4. 4Category Flexibility
  5. 5Control Precision
  6. 6Information Ordering

Career interests

  1. 1Realistic
  2. 2Conventional
  3. 3Enterprising
  4. 4Social
  5. 5Artistic
  6. 6Investigative

Work styles

  1. 1Dependability
  2. 2Attention to Detail
  3. 3Integrity
  4. 4Stress Tolerance
  5. 5Cautiousness
  6. 6Self-Control

Work activities

  1. 1Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
  2. 2Getting Information
  3. 3Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
  4. 4Performing General Physical Activities
  5. 5Selling or Influencing Others
  6. 6Controlling Machines and Processes

Work context

  1. 1Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
  2. 2Spend Time Standing
  3. 3Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
  4. 4Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
  5. 5Contact With Others
  6. 6Deal With External Customers or the Public in General

Representative tasks

  • Prepare and place meat cuts and products in display counter to appear attractive and catch the shopper's eye.
  • Wrap, weigh, label, and price cuts of meat.
  • Cut, trim, bone, tie, and grind meats, such as beef, pork, poultry, and fish, to prepare in cooking form.
  • Prepare special cuts of meat ordered by customers.
  • Receive, inspect, and store meat upon delivery to ensure meat quality.
  • Estimate requirements and order or requisition meat supplies to maintain inventories.
  • Shape, lace, and tie roasts, using boning knife, skewer, and twine.
  • Record quantity of meat received and issued to cooks or keep records of meat sales.

Software and tools

Microsoft Excel · hot technologyMicrosoft Office software · hot technologyMicrosoft Outlook · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technologyFinancial accounting softwareWeb browser software

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

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