Butchers and Meat Cutters salary in New Jersey
Butchers and Meat Cutters in New Jersey earn a median of $38,540 a year ($18.53 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,610 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $65,940 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $40,140. New Jersey ranks 32nd of 51 states for butchers and meat cutters pay. There are 1.1 butchers and meat cutters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $45,610, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for butchers and meat cutters in New Jersey
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,220 | $15.49 |
| 25th percentile | $35,540 | $17.09 |
| Median | $38,540 | $18.53 |
| 75th percentile | $57,360 | $27.58 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $65,940 | $31.70 |
| Average (mean) | $45,610 | $21.93 |
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 | $3,211.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,605.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,482.31 |
| Weekly | $741.15 |
| Hourly | $18.53 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $38,540 salary, see how much house you can afford in New Jersey at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Butchers and Meat Cutters salary in cities in New Jersey
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $44,980 | 210 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $42,470 | 6,220 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $41,270 | 200 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $40,810 | 1,980 |
| Vineland, NJ | $37,780 | 110 |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $36,190 | 160 |
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 New Jersey
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Baker | $36,960 | $17.77 |
| Food Batchmaker | $38,250 | $18.39 |
| Slaughterers and Meat Packers | $45,230 | $21.75 |
| Food Processing Workers, All Other | $34,670 | $16.67 |
| Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders | $37,140 | $17.86 |
| Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders | $37,180 | $17.88 |
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | $34,930 | $16.79 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $37,620 | $18.09 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $81,110 | $38.99 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $49,140 | $23.62 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $40,280 | $19.37 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $56,500 | $27.17 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $45,800 | $22.02 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $36,050 | $17.33 |
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 New Jersey?
The median salary for butchers and meat cutters in New Jersey is $38,540 a year, or $18.53 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $65,940 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid butchers and meat cutters make in New Jersey?
The top 10% of butchers and meat cutters in New Jersey earn at least $65,940 a year. The top 25% earn $57,360 or more.
What is the starting pay for butchers and meat cutters in New Jersey?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,220 a year, and a quarter of butchers and meat cutters earn $35,540 or less.
How many butchers and meat cutters work in New Jersey?
About 4,610 butchers and meat cutters are employed in New Jersey, not counting the self-employed.