CFChooseField
Production

Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers

Use hands or hand tools to perform routine cutting and trimming of meat, poultry, and seafood.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers
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Median pay

$37,700
Median annual pay for Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

5.5%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

18,400
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

146,800
Estimated U.S. employment for Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

+8,100
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: Short-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. 4Speaking
  5. 5Active Learning
  6. 6Reading Comprehension

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Production and Processing
  2. 2Food Production
  3. 3Public Safety and Security
  4. 4Mathematics
  5. 5Administration and Management
  6. 6Mechanical

Abilities

  1. 1Arm-Hand Steadiness
  2. 2Control Precision
  3. 3Near Vision
  4. 4Manual Dexterity
  5. 5Oral Expression
  6. 6Selective Attention

Career interests

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

Work styles

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

Work activities

  1. 1Getting Information
  2. 2Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
  3. 3Handling and Moving Objects
  4. 4Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
  5. 5Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  6. 6Processing Information

Work context

  1. 1Spend Time Standing
  2. 2Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions
  3. 3Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
  4. 4Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
  5. 5Frequency of Decision Making
  6. 6Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls

Representative tasks

  • Use knives, cleavers, meat saws, bandsaws, or other equipment to perform meat cutting and trimming.
  • Weigh meats and tag containers for weight and contents.
  • Inspect meat products for defects, bruises or blemishes and remove them along with any excess fat.
  • Cut and trim meat to prepare for packing.
  • Separate meats and byproducts into specified containers and seal containers.
  • Process primal parts into cuts that are ready for retail use.
  • Prepare ready-to-heat foods by filleting meat or fish or cutting it into bite-sized pieces, preparing and adding vegetables or applying sauces or breading.
  • Clean, trim, slice, and section carcasses for future processing.

Software and tools

Web browser software · in demandMicrosoft Excel · hot technologyMeat inventory softwareSales software

Sources

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

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