Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmer Salary in 2026
How Much Do Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers Make?
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers earn a median annual salary of $37,700 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $29,200 at the 10th percentile to $48,680 at the 90th percentile — a range of $19,480. The highest-paying state is Nebraska at $47,900.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $29,200 |
| 25th percentile | $34,050 |
| Median (50th) | $37,700 |
| 75th percentile | $43,450 |
| 90th percentile | $48,680 |
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmer Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Nebraskatop | $47,900 |
| Arizona | $46,940 |
| Kansas | $46,020 |
| North Dakota | $44,170 |
| Indiana | $43,590 |
| South Dakota | $42,890 |
| Utah | $42,760 |
| Iowa | $42,550 |
| Hawaii | $42,230 |
| Missouri | $42,140 |
| Minnesota | $39,830 |
| Washington | $39,660 |
| Michigan | $39,490 |
| Illinois | $39,420 |
| Florida | $39,300 |
| Maine | $39,030 |
| Wisconsin | $38,270 |
| Kentucky | $38,230 |
| Ohio | $38,230 |
| Georgia | $38,010 |
| Montana | $37,950 |
| New Hampshire | $37,890 |
| Tennessee | $37,490 |
| Vermont | $37,190 |
| Alaska | $37,020 |
| Nevada | $36,890 |
| New York | $36,870 |
| California | $36,790 |
| Massachusetts | $36,780 |
| North Carolina | $36,650 |
| New Jersey | $36,470 |
| Arkansas | $36,290 |
| Pennsylvania | $36,280 |
| Virginia | $35,420 |
| Rhode Island | $35,220 |
| Oregon | $35,110 |
| Oklahoma | $35,060 |
| Texas | $34,900 |
| Wyoming | $34,650 |
| Mississippi | $34,600 |
| Idaho | $34,420 |
| Delaware | $34,060 |
| South Carolina | $33,690 |
| West Virginia | $33,010 |
| Connecticut | $32,950 |
| Maryland | $31,200 |
| New Mexico | $30,260 |
| Alabama | $28,380 |
| Louisiana | $27,180 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmer Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$29,200 – $34,050 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$37,700 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$43,450 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $48,680+ |
How to Earn More as a Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmer
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers in East South Dakota nonmetropolitan area earn $52,000 — $14,300 above the national median. Union membership, additional certifications, and supervisory experience are the most reliable paths to higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($43,450) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmer Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmerthis career | $37,700 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,830 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $35,620 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $34,220 |
| Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Product | $35,430 |
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PathScorer compares your skills to Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmer requirements and shows you what you already qualify for — plus which similar careers pay more for your background.
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SOC: 51-3022.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.