Butchers and Meat Cutters salary in Illinois
Butchers and Meat Cutters in Illinois earn a median of $39,240 a year ($18.86 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,710 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $52,220 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $40,140. Illinois ranks 30th of 51 states for butchers and meat cutters pay. There are 1.3 butchers and meat cutters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $41,980, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for butchers and meat cutters in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,630 | $16.17 |
| 25th percentile | $36,240 | $17.42 |
| Median | $39,240 | $18.86 |
| 75th percentile | $47,110 | $22.65 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $52,220 | $25.11 |
| Average (mean) | $41,980 | $20.18 |
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 | $3,270 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,635 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,509.23 |
| Weekly | $754.62 |
| Hourly | $18.86 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $39,240 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Butchers and Meat Cutters salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $42,660 | 790 |
| Kankakee, IL | $40,480 | 60 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $40,410 | 5,910 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $37,960 | 150 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $36,520 | 230 |
| Bloomington, IL | $36,400 | 70 |
| Springfield, IL | $35,860 | 80 |
| Peoria, IL | $35,490 | 130 |
| Rockford, IL | $35,360 | 130 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $35,110 | 30 |
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 Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Baker | $37,030 | $17.80 |
| Food Batchmaker | $48,130 | $23.14 |
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | $40,690 | $19.56 |
| Slaughterers and Meat Packers | $44,950 | $21.61 |
| Food Processing Workers, All Other | $45,340 | $21.80 |
| Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders | $42,670 | $20.51 |
| Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders | $38,230 | $18.38 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $44,140 | $21.22 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $47,920 | $23.04 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $75,200 | $36.16 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $43,150 | $20.75 |
| Machinist | $58,520 | $28.13 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $51,320 | $24.67 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $42,470 | $20.42 |
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 Illinois?
The median salary for butchers and meat cutters in Illinois is $39,240 a year, or $18.86 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $52,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid butchers and meat cutters make in Illinois?
The top 10% of butchers and meat cutters in Illinois earn at least $52,220 a year. The top 25% earn $47,110 or more.
What is the starting pay for butchers and meat cutters in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,630 a year, and a quarter of butchers and meat cutters earn $36,240 or less.
How many butchers and meat cutters work in Illinois?
About 7,710 butchers and meat cutters are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.