Butchers and Meat Cutters salary in Missouri
Butchers and Meat Cutters in Missouri earn a median of $37,860 a year ($18.20 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,160 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,320 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $40,140. Missouri ranks 37th of 51 states for butchers and meat cutters pay. There are 0.74 butchers and meat cutters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $40,810, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for butchers and meat cutters in Missouri
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,280 | $14.08 |
| 25th percentile | $30,340 | $14.59 |
| Median | $37,860 | $18.20 |
| 75th percentile | $48,950 | $23.53 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $55,320 | $26.60 |
| Average (mean) | $40,810 | $19.62 |
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 | $3,155 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,577.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,456.15 |
| Weekly | $728.08 |
| Hourly | $18.20 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $37,860 salary, see how much house you can afford in Missouri at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Butchers and Meat Cutters salary in cities in Missouri
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $42,660 | 790 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $42,030 | 890 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $40,470 | 50 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $39,400 | 50 |
| Springfield, MO | $38,800 | 190 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $37,920 | 60 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $35,110 | 30 |
| Columbia, MO | $34,170 | 90 |
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 Missouri
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Baker | $35,130 | $16.89 |
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | $41,890 | $20.14 |
| Food Batchmaker | $45,690 | $21.96 |
| Food Processing Workers, All Other | $44,050 | $21.18 |
| Slaughterers and Meat Packers | $44,490 | $21.39 |
| Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders | $43,460 | $20.89 |
| Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders | $42,160 | $20.27 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $46,480 | $22.35 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $73,210 | $35.20 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $48,070 | $23.11 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $54,420 | $26.17 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $51,950 | $24.98 |
| Machinist | $58,710 | $28.23 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $38,470 | $18.50 |
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 Missouri?
The median salary for butchers and meat cutters in Missouri is $37,860 a year, or $18.20 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,320 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid butchers and meat cutters make in Missouri?
The top 10% of butchers and meat cutters in Missouri earn at least $55,320 a year. The top 25% earn $48,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for butchers and meat cutters in Missouri?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,280 a year, and a quarter of butchers and meat cutters earn $30,340 or less.
How many butchers and meat cutters work in Missouri?
About 2,160 butchers and meat cutters are employed in Missouri, not counting the self-employed.