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Occupation · SOC 51-3021

Butchers and Meat Cutters

There are 136,430 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $40,140 a year. The most jobs are in Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CA.

ProductionTypical education: No formal educational credential
136,430
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$40,140
Median pay a year
Middle half: $35,510–$48,050
15,100
Annual openings
10-year change: +2.4%
No formal educational credential
Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 362 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $42,400 · LCA filings 06,510$42,4000
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $42,470 · LCA filings 06,220$42,4700
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $40,410 · LCA filings 05,910$40,4100
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLMedian pay $39,140 · LCA filings 03,420$39,1400
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $38,040 · LCA filings 03,090$38,0400
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAMedian pay $46,490 · LCA filings 02,720$46,4900
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $38,120 · LCA filings 02,700$38,1200
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAMedian pay $38,910 · LCA filings 02,570$38,9100
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $40,810 · LCA filings 01,980$40,8100
Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario, CAMedian pay $44,870 · LCA filings 01,720$44,8700

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAEmployment 1,300 · LCA filings 0$60,6001,3000
Bremerton–Silverdale–Port Orchard, WAEmployment 100 · LCA filings 0$57,9301000
Fairbanks–College, AKEmployment 30 · LCA filings 0$57,920300
Kahului–Wailuku, HIEmployment 70 · LCA filings 0$54,980700
Longview–Kelso, WAEmployment 40 · LCA filings 0$53,550400

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $40,102 · Level III $44,554 · Level IV $49,005$35,651$40,102$44,554$49,005
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $41,558 · Level III $47,944 · Level IV $54,309$35,194$41,558$47,944$54,309
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $38,958 · Level III $42,744 · Level IV $46,509$35,194$38,958$42,744$46,509
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLLevel II $35,194 · Level III $40,622 · Level IV $46,030$29,786$35,194$40,622$46,030
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $33,301 · Level III $38,501 · Level IV $43,680$28,122$33,301$38,501$43,680
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CALevel II $44,741 · Level III $49,338 · Level IV $53,955$40,123$44,741$49,338$53,955
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $32,614 · Level III $39,000 · Level IV $45,406$26,208$32,614$39,000$45,406
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GALevel II $36,400 · Level III $40,726 · Level IV $45,053$32,074$36,400$40,726$45,053
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $38,002 · Level III $43,971 · Level IV $49,920$32,053$38,002$43,971$49,920
Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario, CALevel II $40,893 · Level III $46,072 · Level IV $51,230$35,734$40,893$46,072$51,230

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Culinary Arts and Related ServicesCIP 12.05OPT · up to 12 months381OPT · up to 12 months

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All 362 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Related occupations · Production

Miscellaneous Assemblers and FabricatorsInspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and WeighersFirst-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating WorkersPackaging and Filling Machine Operators and TendersWelders, Cutters, Solderers, and BrazersBakersLaundry and Dry-Cleaning WorkersProduction Workers, All Other

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology