Perform nonroutine or precision functions involving the preparation of large portions of meat. Work may include specialized slaughtering tasks, cutting standard or premium cuts of meat for marketing, making sausage, or wrapping meats. Work typically occurs in slaughtering, meat packing, or wholesale establishments.
Slaughterers and Meat Packers
SOC: 51-3023 O*NET: 51-3023.00
Median Salary
$39,790
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 2.2%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
8.4
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Perform nonroutine or precision functions involving the preparation of large portions of meat. Work may include specialized slaughtering tasks, cutting standard or premium cuts of meat for marketing, making sausage, or wrapping meats. Work typically occurs in slaughtering, meat packing, or wholesale establishments.
What does a Slaughterers and Meat Packers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$31,470
10th percentile
Early Career
$35,940
25th percentile
Median
$39,790
50th percentile
Experienced
$45,930
75th percentile
Top Earners
$49,460
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$31,470
25th
$35,940
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$39,790
Mean: $40,710
75th
$45,930
90th
$49,460
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $17,990 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $35,940 and $45,930
- •Salary spread is 25.1% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 67,500 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:69,600
Top Industries
Manufacturing92.3%
Food Manufacturing92.2%
Animal Slaughtering and Processing91.8%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+2.2%
Annual Openings:8,400
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)69,600
Current
2034 (Projected)71,200
+2.2%
+1,500
Employment Change
+2.2%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Slaughterers and Meat Packers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 47 locations
California
6,830 jobs$38,6600.86x
North Carolina
5,750 jobs$39,7902.68x
Nebraska
5,140 jobs$48,08011.55x
Texas
4,430 jobs$41,2300.73x
Iowa
4,040 jobs$44,4005.91x
Georgia
4,000 jobs$36,6801.88x
Illinois
3,730 jobs$40,8001.40x
Pennsylvania
3,700 jobs$36,4501.41x
Minnesota
3,190 jobs$41,5502.50x
Kansas
2,430 jobs$47,3103.88x
Wisconsin
2,400 jobs$36,6201.87x
Mississippi
2,320 jobs$34,7504.57x
Michigan
1,740 jobs$42,3900.90x
Ohio
1,730 jobs$36,4700.71x
Missouri
1,630 jobs$44,7301.27x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What knowledge is required?
✓
Customer and Personal Service
✓
Food Production
✓
Production and Processing
✓
English Language
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Slaughterers and Meat Packers
Technology Intensity
Medium
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires intermediate digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Office productivity softwareIndustry-specific applicationsBasic data entry and managementDigital communication tools
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Excel
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
14
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (12)Operations & Execution (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)
1
Remove bones, and cut meat into standard cuts in preparation for marketing.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Cut, trim, skin, sort, and wash viscera of slaughtered animals to separate edible portions from offal.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Slit open, eviscerate, and trim carcasses of slaughtered animals.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Tend assembly lines, performing a few of the many cuts needed to process a carcass.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution91% perform94%
5
Sever jugular veins to drain blood and facilitate slaughtering.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Shave or singe and defeather carcasses, and wash them in preparation for further processing or packaging.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Trim, clean, or cure animal hides.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Shackle hind legs of animals to raise them for slaughtering or skinning.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Skin sections of animals or whole animals.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Trim head meat, and sever or remove parts of animals' heads or skulls.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •50% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Slaughterers and Meat Packers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Slaughterers and Meat Packers professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value relationships
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Slaughterers and Meat Packers
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.45
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.25
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.21
Adaptability/Flexibility
Very ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level4.09
Stress Tolerance
Very ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.07
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.01
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.5
Integrity
4.3
Attention to Detail
4.2
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.1
Stress Tolerance
4.1
Self-Control
4.0
Independence
3.9
Persistence
3.9
Concern for Others
3.7
Cooperation
3.7
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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