Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers salary in Columbia, SC
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $35,660 a year ($17.15 an hour), based on BLS data for 870 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $40,500 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $38,300. Pay here is 3% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $34,790. There are 2.2 meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $36,640, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,410 | $16.54 |
| 25th percentile | $34,410 | $16.54 |
| Median | $35,660 | $17.15 |
| 75th percentile | $37,440 | $18.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $40,500 | $19.47 |
| Average (mean) | $36,640 | $17.62 |
Half of meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers 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 | $2,971.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,485.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,371.54 |
| Weekly | $685.77 |
| Hourly | $17.15 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $35,660 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $40,640 | 530 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $39,470 | 40 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $36,910 | 210 |
Highest-paying states for meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Colorado | $50,390 |
| Arizona | $48,550 |
| Kansas | $48,080 |
| Nebraska | $47,580 |
| New Hampshire | $47,260 |
| North Dakota | $47,250 |
| Michigan | $44,430 |
| South Dakota | $44,290 |
| Utah | $44,150 |
| Minnesota | $43,400 |
See Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Baker | $33,800 | $16.25 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $37,350 | $17.96 |
| Slaughterers and Meat Packers | $46,170 | $22.20 |
| Food Batchmaker | $38,900 | $18.70 |
| Food Processing Workers, All Other | $35,980 | $17.30 |
| Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders | $36,420 | $17.51 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $42,230 | $20.31 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $76,420 | $36.74 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $48,310 | $23.23 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $41,340 | $19.87 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $49,730 | $23.91 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $43,790 | $21.05 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $55,070 | $26.48 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $39,560 | $19.02 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-3022. 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 meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers in the Columbia, SC metro area is $35,660 a year, or $17.15 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $40,500 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $40,500 a year. The top 25% earn $37,440 or more.
What is the starting pay for meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,410 a year, and a quarter of meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers earn $34,410 or less.
How many meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers work in Columbia, SC?
About 870 meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.