Butchers and Meat Cutters salary in Arkansas
Butchers and Meat Cutters in Arkansas earn a median of $34,380 a year ($16.53 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,290 workers.
Pay ranges from $24,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,100 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $40,140. Arkansas ranks 49th of 51 states for butchers and meat cutters pay. There are 0.99 butchers and meat cutters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $34,860, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for butchers and meat cutters in Arkansas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,920 | $11.98 |
| 25th percentile | $29,050 | $13.97 |
| Median | $34,380 | $16.53 |
| 75th percentile | $39,560 | $19.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,100 | $21.68 |
| Average (mean) | $34,860 | $16.76 |
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 | $2,865 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,432.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,322.31 |
| Weekly | $661.15 |
| Hourly | $16.53 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $34,380 salary, see how much house you can afford in Arkansas at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Butchers and Meat Cutters salary in cities in Arkansas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $37,360 | 260 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $37,260 | 450 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $35,340 | 260 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $34,600 | 40 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $34,340 | 100 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $31,420 | 40 |
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 |
Related jobs in Arkansas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | $37,980 | $18.26 |
| Baker | $30,380 | $14.61 |
| Slaughterers and Meat Packers | $37,800 | $18.17 |
| Food Batchmaker | $38,990 | $18.75 |
| Food Processing Workers, All Other | $37,840 | $18.19 |
| Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders | $45,080 | $21.67 |
| Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders | $40,480 | $19.46 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $36,990 | $17.78 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $63,090 | $30.33 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $35,540 | $17.09 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $47,970 | $23.06 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $44,570 | $21.43 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $37,740 | $18.15 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $36,030 | $17.32 |
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 Arkansas?
The median salary for butchers and meat cutters in Arkansas is $34,380 a year, or $16.53 an hour. Pay ranges from $24,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,100 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid butchers and meat cutters make in Arkansas?
The top 10% of butchers and meat cutters in Arkansas earn at least $45,100 a year. The top 25% earn $39,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for butchers and meat cutters in Arkansas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $24,920 a year, and a quarter of butchers and meat cutters earn $29,050 or less.
How many butchers and meat cutters work in Arkansas?
About 1,290 butchers and meat cutters are employed in Arkansas, not counting the self-employed.