Butchers and Meat Cutters salary in Ames, IA
Butchers and Meat Cutters in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $36,110 a year ($17.36 an hour), based on BLS data for 160 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $42,950 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $40,140. Pay here is 4% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $37,750. There are 2.9 butchers and meat cutters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $36,550, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for butchers and meat cutters in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,080 | $14.94 |
| 25th percentile | $32,320 | $15.54 |
| Median | $36,110 | $17.36 |
| 75th percentile | $40,140 | $19.30 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $42,950 | $20.65 |
| Average (mean) | $36,550 | $17.57 |
Half of butchers and meat cutters earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,009.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,504.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,388.85 |
| Weekly | $694.42 |
| Hourly | $17.36 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $36,110 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Butchers and Meat Cutters salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $42,740 | 270 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $41,700 | 780 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $37,130 | 210 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $36,770 | 770 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $36,520 | 230 |
| Dubuque, IA | $36,520 | 110 |
| Iowa City, IA | $35,810 | 170 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $35,150 | 200 |
Highest-paying states for butchers and meat cutters
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $51,670 |
| Alaska | $50,450 |
| Hawaii | $50,080 |
| Oregon | $49,360 |
| District of Columbia | $48,760 |
| Massachusetts | $48,430 |
| New Hampshire | $47,740 |
| Colorado | $47,490 |
| New York | $47,080 |
| Delaware | $47,040 |
See Butchers and Meat Cutters pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Food Batchmaker | $50,950 | $24.50 |
| Baker | $36,520 | $17.56 |
| Food Processing Workers, All Other | $43,520 | $20.93 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $49,360 | $23.73 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $74,160 | $35.65 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $48,250 | $23.20 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $61,820 | $29.72 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $49,670 | $23.88 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $58,560 | $28.15 |
| Printing Press Operator | $46,850 | $22.52 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $52,020 | $25.01 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $39,080 | $18.79 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $62,300 | $29.95 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $70,690 | $33.99 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-3021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a butchers and meat cutters make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for butchers and meat cutters in the Ames, IA metro area is $36,110 a year, or $17.36 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $42,950 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid butchers and meat cutters make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of butchers and meat cutters in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $42,950 a year. The top 25% earn $40,140 or more.
What is the starting pay for butchers and meat cutters in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,080 a year, and a quarter of butchers and meat cutters earn $32,320 or less.
How many butchers and meat cutters work in Ames, IA?
About 160 butchers and meat cutters are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.