Butchers and Meat Cutters salary in Tennessee
Butchers and Meat Cutters in Tennessee earn a median of $39,960 a year ($19.21 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,650 workers.
Pay ranges from $26,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,710 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $40,140. Tennessee ranks 26th of 51 states for butchers and meat cutters pay. There are 0.81 butchers and meat cutters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $39,550, close to the median.
Pay range for butchers and meat cutters in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,520 | $12.75 |
| 25th percentile | $35,070 | $16.86 |
| Median | $39,960 | $19.21 |
| 75th percentile | $45,560 | $21.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,710 | $22.94 |
| Average (mean) | $39,550 | $19.01 |
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 | $3,330 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,665 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,536.92 |
| Weekly | $768.46 |
| Hourly | $19.21 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $39,960 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Butchers and Meat Cutters salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $44,010 | 920 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $40,580 | 220 |
| Morristown, TN | $39,960 | 90 |
| Jackson, TN | $38,840 | 90 |
| Knoxville, TN | $37,580 | 290 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $37,260 | 450 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $36,900 | 110 |
| Johnson City, TN | $35,570 | 70 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $35,430 | 80 |
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 Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Baker | $34,440 | $16.56 |
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | $37,590 | $18.07 |
| Food Batchmaker | $42,610 | $20.49 |
| Food Processing Workers, All Other | $42,690 | $20.52 |
| Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders | $45,620 | $21.93 |
| Slaughterers and Meat Packers | $35,790 | $17.21 |
| Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders | $39,130 | $18.81 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $44,630 | $21.46 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $40,130 | $19.29 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $65,310 | $31.40 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $45,760 | $22.00 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $48,040 | $23.10 |
| Machinist | $49,600 | $23.85 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $43,190 | $20.77 |
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for butchers and meat cutters in Tennessee is $39,960 a year, or $19.21 an hour. Pay ranges from $26,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,710 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid butchers and meat cutters make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of butchers and meat cutters in Tennessee earn at least $47,710 a year. The top 25% earn $45,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for butchers and meat cutters in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $26,520 a year, and a quarter of butchers and meat cutters earn $35,070 or less.
How many butchers and meat cutters work in Tennessee?
About 2,650 butchers and meat cutters are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.