Butchers and Meat Cutters salary in Columbia, SC
Butchers and Meat Cutters in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $37,350 a year ($17.96 an hour), based on BLS data for 280 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,250 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $40,140. Pay here is 6% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $39,790. There are 0.71 butchers and meat cutters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $39,230, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for butchers and meat cutters in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,940 | $13.92 |
| 25th percentile | $36,180 | $17.39 |
| Median | $37,350 | $17.96 |
| 75th percentile | $44,890 | $21.58 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,250 | $24.16 |
| Average (mean) | $39,230 | $18.86 |
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 | $3,112.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,556.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,436.54 |
| Weekly | $718.27 |
| Hourly | $17.96 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $37,350 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $42,720 | 110 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $40,970 | 400 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $39,680 | 810 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $38,140 | 120 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $38,120 | 380 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $37,130 | 210 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $36,580 | 130 |
| Florence, SC | $35,710 | 70 |
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 South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | $35,660 | $17.15 |
| Baker | $33,800 | $16.25 |
| Slaughterers and Meat Packers | $46,170 | $22.20 |
| Food Batchmaker | $38,900 | $18.70 |
| Food Processing Workers, All Other | $35,980 | $17.30 |
| Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders | $36,420 | $17.51 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $42,230 | $20.31 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $76,420 | $36.74 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $48,310 | $23.23 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $41,340 | $19.87 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $49,730 | $23.91 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $43,790 | $21.05 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $55,070 | $26.48 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $39,560 | $19.02 |
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 Columbia, SC?
The median salary for butchers and meat cutters in the Columbia, SC metro area is $37,350 a year, or $17.96 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,250 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid butchers and meat cutters make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of butchers and meat cutters in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $50,250 a year. The top 25% earn $44,890 or more.
What is the starting pay for butchers and meat cutters in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,940 a year, and a quarter of butchers and meat cutters earn $36,180 or less.
How many butchers and meat cutters work in Columbia, SC?
About 280 butchers and meat cutters are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.