Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers salary in Iowa
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers in Iowa earn a median of $43,190 a year ($20.76 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,970 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,220 for the top 10%. That is 13% higher than the national median of $38,300. Iowa ranks 12th of 50 states for meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers pay. There are 2.5 meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $42,560, close to the median.
Pay range for meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,170 | $18.83 |
| 25th percentile | $41,250 | $19.83 |
| Median | $43,190 | $20.76 |
| 75th percentile | $43,730 | $21.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,220 | $22.22 |
| Average (mean) | $42,560 | $20.46 |
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 | $3,599.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,799.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,661.15 |
| Weekly | $830.58 |
| Hourly | $20.76 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $43,190 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers salary in cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $49,810 | 1,920 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $47,580 | 1,700 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $45,750 | 180 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $29,400 | 30 |
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.
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Food Processing Workers, All Other | $41,740 | $20.07 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $37,750 | $18.15 |
| Slaughterers and Meat Packers | $43,820 | $21.07 |
| Food Batchmaker | $48,300 | $23.22 |
| Baker | $37,210 | $17.89 |
| Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders | $47,900 | $23.03 |
| Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders | $47,960 | $23.06 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $48,920 | $23.52 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $74,750 | $35.94 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $55,090 | $26.49 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $50,740 | $24.40 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $45,660 | $21.95 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $52,300 | $25.15 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $48,910 | $23.51 |
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 Iowa?
The median salary for meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers in Iowa is $43,190 a year, or $20.76 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers make in Iowa?
The top 10% of meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers in Iowa earn at least $46,220 a year. The top 25% earn $43,730 or more.
What is the starting pay for meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,170 a year, and a quarter of meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers earn $41,250 or less.
How many meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers work in Iowa?
About 3,970 meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.