Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers salary in Tennessee
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers in Tennessee earn a median of $37,590 a year ($18.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,970 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,220 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $38,300. Tennessee ranks 28th of 50 states for meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers pay. There are 0.91 meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $36,670, close to the median.
Pay range for meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,090 | $13.51 |
| 25th percentile | $31,310 | $15.06 |
| Median | $37,590 | $18.07 |
| 75th percentile | $40,440 | $19.44 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,220 | $21.26 |
| Average (mean) | $36,670 | $17.63 |
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 | $3,132.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,566.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,445.77 |
| Weekly | $722.88 |
| Hourly | $18.07 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $37,590 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee 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 Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $44,220 | 430 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $39,790 | 320 |
| Morristown, TN | $38,720 | 260 |
| Jackson, TN | $38,620 | 190 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $31,380 | 60 |
| Knoxville, TN | $30,520 | 330 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $30,190 | 330 |
| Cleveland, TN | $30,160 | 30 |
| Johnson City, TN | $29,860 | 50 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $29,320 | 40 |
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 Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Baker | $34,440 | $16.56 |
| Food Batchmaker | $42,610 | $20.49 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $39,960 | $19.21 |
| 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 51-3022. 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 Tennessee?
The median salary for meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers in Tennessee is $37,590 a year, or $18.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers in Tennessee earn at least $44,220 a year. The top 25% earn $40,440 or more.
What is the starting pay for meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,090 a year, and a quarter of meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers earn $31,310 or less.
How many meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers work in Tennessee?
About 2,970 meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.