Butchers and Meat Cutters salary in Montana
Butchers and Meat Cutters in Montana earn a median of $41,600 a year ($20.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 740 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,720 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $40,140. Montana ranks 23rd of 51 states for butchers and meat cutters pay. There are 1.5 butchers and meat cutters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $42,690, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for butchers and meat cutters in Montana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,760 | $14.31 |
| 25th percentile | $36,430 | $17.51 |
| Median | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| 75th percentile | $47,720 | $22.94 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $56,720 | $27.27 |
| Average (mean) | $42,690 | $20.52 |
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 | $3,466.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,733.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,600 |
| Weekly | $800 |
| Hourly | $20.00 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $41,600 salary, see how much house you can afford in Montana at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Butchers and Meat Cutters salary in cities in Montana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT | $47,700 | 90 |
| Billings, MT | $44,790 | 80 |
| Missoula, MT | $43,460 | 90 |
| Great Falls, MT | $39,510 | 50 |
| Helena, MT | $38,940 | 50 |
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 Montana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Baker | $37,200 | $17.89 |
| Food Batchmaker | $39,630 | $19.05 |
| Food Processing Workers, All Other | $37,740 | $18.15 |
| Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders | $35,360 | $17.00 |
| Slaughterers and Meat Packers | $46,700 | $22.45 |
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | $37,440 | $18.00 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $68,760 | $33.06 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $55,610 | $26.73 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $44,940 | $21.61 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $36,250 | $17.43 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $58,040 | $27.90 |
| Machinist | $60,920 | $29.29 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $58,070 | $27.92 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $98,310 | $47.26 |
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 Montana?
The median salary for butchers and meat cutters in Montana is $41,600 a year, or $20.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid butchers and meat cutters make in Montana?
The top 10% of butchers and meat cutters in Montana earn at least $56,720 a year. The top 25% earn $47,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for butchers and meat cutters in Montana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,760 a year, and a quarter of butchers and meat cutters earn $36,430 or less.
How many butchers and meat cutters work in Montana?
About 740 butchers and meat cutters are employed in Montana, not counting the self-employed.