Butchers and Meat Cutters salary in Rockford, IL
Butchers and Meat Cutters in the Rockford, IL metro area earn a median of $35,360 a year ($17.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,240 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $40,140. Pay here is 10% lower than the Illinois statewide median of $39,240. There are 0.97 butchers and meat cutters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $38,600, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for butchers and meat cutters in Rockford, IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| 25th percentile | $31,220 | $15.01 |
| Median | $35,360 | $17.00 |
| 75th percentile | $43,800 | $21.06 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,240 | $22.71 |
| Average (mean) | $38,600 | $18.56 |
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 | $2,946.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,473.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,360 |
| Weekly | $680 |
| Hourly | $17.00 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $35,360 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 other metro areas nearby
| 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 |
| 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 |
See Butchers and Meat Cutters pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rockford, IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Food Batchmaker | $52,500 | $25.24 |
| Baker | $35,870 | $17.25 |
| Food Processing Workers, All Other | $37,800 | $18.17 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $45,670 | $21.96 |
| Machinist | $49,700 | $23.89 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $46,780 | $22.49 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $40,990 | $19.71 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $46,240 | $22.23 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $74,280 | $35.71 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $50,200 | $24.14 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $47,030 | $22.61 |
| Tool and Die Makers | $52,900 | $25.43 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $34,950 | $16.81 |
| Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $44,880 | $21.58 |
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 Rockford, IL?
The median salary for butchers and meat cutters in the Rockford, IL metro area is $35,360 a year, or $17.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,240 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid butchers and meat cutters make in Rockford, IL?
The top 10% of butchers and meat cutters in the Rockford, IL metro area earn at least $47,240 a year. The top 25% earn $43,800 or more.
What is the starting pay for butchers and meat cutters in Rockford, IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,200 a year, and a quarter of butchers and meat cutters earn $31,220 or less.
How many butchers and meat cutters work in Rockford, IL?
About 130 butchers and meat cutters are employed in the Rockford, IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.