Butcher Hourly Rate

A butcher slices and prepares meat to be distributed to customers. Butchers are responsible for slicing meat and preparing different cuts of meat to be sold. Butchers also inspect meat for safety and prepare meats to be displayed for sale. Butchers today can mainly be found in two different industry's. Grocery store butchers slice, weigh, wrap, and label a large variety of meats to be sold to directly to today's consumers. The work environment for grocery store butchers is pleasant, in that it's indoors and usually only open during day shifts. There are usually only a few butchers per grocery store, so typically they work alone or with one or two other employees. Large meat packing plants also employ butchers to slaughter, slice, and prepare meat. Usually in these positions there is little to no direct interaction with customers. Shifts vary in plants and usually large amounts of butchers work side by side to prepare cut, slice, package, and prepare meat to be sold to grocery stores and other wholesalers. Butchers who work in large plants may have specific duties in the production and processing of meat. While some butchers may slice and cut meat all day, others at the same plant may be responsible for packaging. Assembly lines may even be used. Meat packing plants are usually found in large factory's and use the same tools as most other butchers, sharp knifes, cleavers, saws, and large slicing machines. No specific education is required to work as a butcher, however some culinary schools around the country offer programs in meat cutting.