Butchers and Meat Cutters in Kentucky
Thinking about a career as a Butchers and Meat Cutters in Kentucky? Below are the key facts. Cut, trim, or prepare consumer-sized portions of meat for use or sale in retail establishments.
What do Butchers and Meat Cutters Make in Kentucky?
For a butchers and meat cutters working in Kentucky, wages run about $31,360 per year (or about $15.08/hour).Earnings range from $22,690 at the 10th percentile to $47,350 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $22,690 | $10.91 |
| 25th percentile | $27,950 | $13.44 |
| Median (50th) | $31,360 | $15.08 |
| 75th percentile | $38,270 | $18.40 |
| 90th percentile | $47,350 | $22.77 |
The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in Kentucky relative to the national average — is 0.83, indicating fewer butchers and meat cutters per worker than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, butchers and meat cutters earn a median of $50,662 per year ($24.36/hour), below the Kentucky median.
Employment Outlook
There are roughly 21,640 butchers and meat cutters in the U.S.. In Kentucky alone, about 1,500 people work in this role. That’s fewer than the typical state, which employs around 1,790 butchers and meat cutters.
Top Kentucky Metros for Butchers and Meat Cutters
The metro areas below employ the most butchers and meat cutters in Kentucky.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | 520 | $36,460 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | 150 | $35,840 |
| Bowling Green, KY | 50 | $29,900 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | 40 | $37,550 |
| Owensboro, KY | 40 | $33,030 |
Top States for Butchers and Meat Cutters Employment
The table below shows the states where the most butchers and meat cutters work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 21,220 |
| Florida | 11,330 |
| Texas | 10,490 |
| Illinois | 9,000 |
| Ohio | 5,590 |
| New York | 4,800 |
| New Jersey | 4,480 |
| Michigan | 4,330 |
| Iowa | 4,130 |
| Georgia | 4,120 |
| Pennsylvania | 4,050 |
| North Carolina | 3,800 |
| Wisconsin | 3,320 |
| Washington | 2,710 |
| Indiana | 2,470 |
| Alabama | 2,350 |
| Puerto Rico | 2,290 |
| Tennessee | 2,280 |
| Arizona | 2,220 |
| Minnesota | 2,160 |
Highest-Paying States for Butchers and Meat Cutters
Where butchers and meat cutters earn the most: butchers and meat cutters.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $50,220 |
| Massachusetts | $48,280 |
| Alaska | $48,240 |
| Washington | $48,120 |
| District of Columbia | $47,880 |
| Oregon | $47,290 |
| Delaware | $47,170 |
| New Hampshire | $46,940 |
| New York | $46,490 |
| Colorado | $45,760 |
Skills
The most important butchers and meat cutters skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Top abilities for butchers and meat cutters, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Common tasks include:
- 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.
- Supervise other butchers or meat cutters.
- Cure, smoke, tenderize, and preserve meat.
- Negotiate with representatives from supply companies to determine order details.
Work Activities
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
- Getting Information
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Performing General Physical Activities
- Selling or Influencing Others
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Controlling Machines and Processes
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
Tools & Technology
Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Microsoft Excel
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Programs that train for this career include:
- Culinary Arts
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Related Careers
Other careers like butchers and meat cutters include:
- Food Service Managers
- Food Scientists and Technologists
- Chefs and Head Cooks
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers
- Cooks, Fast Food
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
Also Known As
Beef Shoppe Clerk, Blockman, Butcher, Butcher Block Clerk, Cleaver, Halal Butcher, Hotel and Restaurant Butcher, Journeyman Meat Cutter, Kosher Butcher, Meat Associate, Meat Butcher, Meat Carver, Meat Clerk, Meat Counter Clerk, Meat Counter Worker.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 51-3021.00