CDCareer Decision

Butchers and Meat Cutters Salary in Chicago, IL

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Butchers and Meat Cutters in Chicago, IL have a median annual salary of $40,410, with 5,910 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $35,380 at the 10th percentile to $52,800 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$40,410

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$19.43

Employment

5,910

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$35,380
10th
$36,490
25th
$40,410
Median
$47,840
75th
$52,800
90th

Local compared with national

Chicago, IL

$40,410

Median annual · 2025

United States

$40,140

Median annual · 2025

The Chicago, IL median is 0.7% above the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $270).

Top skills

  1. 1.Active ListeningImportance 3.1
  2. 2.Reading ComprehensionImportance 3.0
  3. 3.SpeakingImportance 3.0
  4. 4.Critical ThinkingImportance 3.0
  5. 5.MonitoringImportance 3.0
  6. 6.Social PerceptivenessImportance 3.0
  7. 7.Service OrientationImportance 3.0
  8. 8.Time ManagementImportance 3.0
  9. 9.CoordinationImportance 2.9
  10. 10.Complex Problem SolvingImportance 2.9
  11. 11.Judgment and Decision MakingImportance 2.9
  12. 12.PersuasionImportance 2.8

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Experience
Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
Job zone
2

Technology used

  • Financial accounting software
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft Word
  • Web browser software

Common tasks

  • Prepare and place meat cuts and products in display counter to appear attractive and catch the shopper's eye.
  • Wrap, weigh, label, and price cuts of meat.
  • Cut, trim, bone, tie, and grind meats, such as beef, pork, poultry, and fish, to prepare in cooking form.
  • Prepare special cuts of meat ordered by customers.
  • Receive, inspect, and store meat upon delivery to ensure meat quality.
  • Estimate requirements and order or requisition meat supplies to maintain inventories.
  • Shape, lace, and tie roasts, using boning knife, skewer, and twine.
  • Record quantity of meat received and issued to cooks or keep records of meat sales.
  • Supervise other butchers or meat cutters.
  • Cure, smoke, tenderize, and preserve meat.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Butchers and Meat Cutters salary in other locations

Other occupations in Chicago, IL