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Skilled Trades

Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers

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

Median salary

$37,700

Typical range

$29k – $49k

Job outlook

+6% (faster than average)

AI exposure

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Education

Typical entry: No degree required

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Typical progression

  1. Junior Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers

    Entry / Junior

    $29,200

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers

    Established

    $37,700

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers

    Senior

    $43,190

Key skills

A typical day

  • 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.

Fields of study

Any field

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