National
| Median wages (2008) |
$13.60 hourly, $28,290 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
131,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Little or no change (-2% to 2%)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
44,000 additional employees |
51-3021.00 - Butchers and Meat Cutters
Cut, trim, or prepare consumer-sized portions of meat for use or sale in retail establishments.
Sample of reported job titles:
Meat Cutter, Meat Manager, Meat Specialist, Meat Department Manager, Journeyman Meat Cutter, Market Manager, Butcher, Meat Clerk, Seafood and Service Meat Manager, Meat Wrapper
Tasks
- Wrap, weigh, label and price cuts of meat.
- Prepare and place meat cuts and products in display counter, so they will appear attractive and catch the shopper's eye.
- Prepare special cuts of meat ordered by customers.
- Cut, trim, bone, tie, and grind meats, such as beef, pork, poultry, and fish, to prepare meat in cooking form.
- Receive, inspect, and store meat upon delivery, to ensure meat quality.
- Shape, lace, and tie roasts, using boning knife, skewer, and twine.
- Estimate requirements and order or requisition meat supplies to maintain inventories.
- Supervise other butchers or meat cutters.
- Record quantity of meat received and issued to cooks and/or keep records of meat sales.
- Negotiate with representatives from supply companies to determine order details.
