Butchers and Meat Cutters Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Median annual salary $39,170 +0.5% vs national
Median hourly $18.83
10th percentile $33,450
90th percentile $51,660
Employed locally 7,190
National median $38,960

Compare Butchers and Meat Cutters salary & buying power

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Butchers and Meat Cutters
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Chicago, IL-IN
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $33,450
    25th
    $35,820
    50th (median)
    $39,170
    75th
    $46,010
    90th
    $51,660

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    Butchers and Meat Cutters salary vs area income 44% Median Butchers and Meat Cutters salary is 56% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Butchers and Meat Cutters

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $57,870
    Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $55,180
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $55,170
    Fairbanks-College, AK $53,480
    Hawaii $50,220
    Urban Honolulu, HI $50,220

    Nearby metros — Butchers and Meat Cutters salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $55,180
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $55,170
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $48,890
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $47,320
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $46,200
    West Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area $46,190

    Related occupations in Chicago, IL-IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $40,560
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $72,760
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders $42,110
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $47,330
    Machinists $57,470
    Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers $39,530

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Butchers and Meat Cutters make per hour in Chicago?

    The median hourly wage for Butchers and Meat Cutters in Chicago, IL-IN is $18.83, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $25.39 or more per hour.

    Is Chicago above or below average for Butchers and Meat Cutters salaries?

    The median Butchers and Meat Cutters salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 0.5% above the national median of $38,960. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Butchers and Meat Cutters in Chicago?

    Entry-level Butchers and Meat Cutters (10th percentile) earn around $33,450 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $35,820.