Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers
O*NET 51-3022.00 · SOC 51-3022
Meat is a solid career choice. Median pay is $38k a year with +5.7% projected growth through 2035 (about as fast as average) and about 17,000 openings a year. AI exposure: Elevated.
Bureau of Labor Statistics projections 2025–2035 · Data updated 2026-07-27
What You'd Actually Do
- →Trim fat, skin, and cartilage from meat or poultry pieces
- →Remove bones from meat cuts using knives and hand tools
- →Sort and separate meat pieces by size or quality grade
- →Place trimmed meat onto conveyor belts or into containers
- →Keep cutting area clean and free of meat scraps
Education & How to Get In
Meat roles typically require a high school diploma or equivalent, with most training happening on the job. This makes it one of the more accessible career paths, you can often start working while earning certifications or completing short-term training programs.
Get Started Learning
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Work Environment
Hands-on, labs, workshops, or field sites
Mixed, alternates between solo focused work and collaboration
A Day in the Life
While every role varies by employer and specialization, a typical day as a Meat involves a mix of core responsibilities:
Personality Fit (RIASEC)
Who Thrives as Meat?
Based on the interests and work style this role actually demands, these personality types tend to fit it best. Salary and growth tell you if a career is worth entering; personality fit tells you whether you'll still want it in five years.
Not sure which you are? Take the 7-minute quiz →
See Open Meat Roles
Browse live openings to get a feel for requirements and pay in your area.
Similar Careers
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Job Outlook
Employment of Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers is projected to grow 5.7% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as average for all occupations.
Will AI Replace This Job?
- ·38% routine cognitive tasks, high automation target
- ·47% physical tasks, limited by robotics progress
Scored from the mix of routine, creative, physical and social tasks the role involves, adjusted for sector and projected growth. An estimate, not a forecast.
Common Questions
How much does a Meat make?
The median Meat earns $38k a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' May 2025 wage data. Half earn more than that and half earn less, and pay varies considerably by state, industry and experience.
Will AI replace Meat jobs?
Our model puts Meat at 52 out of 100 for automation exposure, which is elevated disruption risk. The main drivers: 38% routine cognitive tasks, high automation target; 47% physical tasks, limited by robotics progress.
Is Meat a growing field?
Employment is projected to grow 5.7% between 2025 and 2035, which is about as fast as average. That works out to roughly 17,000 openings a year, counting both new positions and people leaving the occupation.
What degree do you need to be a Meat?
Most Meat roles need a high school diploma or equivalent, with training happening on the job. A degree is not the usual route in.
How long does it take to become a Meat?
Typically under a year, usually a high school diploma plus short training. O*NET classes this role as Job Zone 2 of 5, which describes how much preparation people in it usually have.
Is a Meat career right for you?
Your personality, values, and strengths matter as much as the job market. Take the quiz to see your personalized Future-Fit Score for this career and hundreds more.
Take the assessment →No account required · Matches are paid · 7 minutes