Butchers and Meat Cutters salary in Iowa
Butchers and Meat Cutters in Iowa earn a median of $37,750 a year ($18.15 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,480 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,510 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $40,140. Iowa ranks 38th of 51 states for butchers and meat cutters pay. 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 $38,450, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for butchers and meat cutters in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,200 | $14.52 |
| 25th percentile | $34,630 | $16.65 |
| Median | $37,750 | $18.15 |
| 75th percentile | $43,180 | $20.76 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,510 | $22.36 |
| Average (mean) | $38,450 | $18.49 |
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 | $3,145.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,572.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,451.92 |
| Weekly | $725.96 |
| Hourly | $18.15 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $37,750 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 cities in Iowa
| 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 |
| Ames, IA | $36,110 | 160 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Food Processing Workers, All Other | $41,740 | $20.07 |
| Slaughterers and Meat Packers | $43,820 | $21.07 |
| Food Batchmaker | $48,300 | $23.22 |
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | $43,190 | $20.76 |
| Baker | $37,210 | $17.89 |
| Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders | $47,900 | $23.03 |
| Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders | $47,960 | $23.06 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $48,920 | $23.52 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $74,750 | $35.94 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $55,090 | $26.49 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $50,740 | $24.40 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $45,660 | $21.95 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $52,300 | $25.15 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $48,910 | $23.51 |
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 Iowa?
The median salary for butchers and meat cutters in Iowa is $37,750 a year, or $18.15 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,510 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid butchers and meat cutters make in Iowa?
The top 10% of butchers and meat cutters in Iowa earn at least $46,510 a year. The top 25% earn $43,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for butchers and meat cutters in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,200 a year, and a quarter of butchers and meat cutters earn $34,630 or less.
How many butchers and meat cutters work in Iowa?
About 4,480 butchers and meat cutters are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.