Butchers and Meat Cutters Salary in Des Moines, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Median annual salary $36,140 -7.2% vs national
Median hourly $17.38
10th percentile $30,750
90th percentile $44,950
Employed locally 810
National median $38,960

Compare Butchers and Meat Cutters salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Des Moines, IA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Butchers and Meat Cutters
in
Des Moines, IA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $30,750
    25th
    $31,910
    50th (median)
    $36,140
    75th
    $41,800
    90th
    $44,950

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Butchers and Meat Cutters salary vs area income 43% Median Butchers and Meat Cutters salary is 57% 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
    Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $47,890
    District of Columbia $47,880
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $46,370
    Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor, FL $46,310
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $46,030
    Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $44,850

    Related occupations in Des Moines, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $43,510
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $69,590
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $49,200
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $50,950
    Bakers $36,460
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders $40,670

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Butchers and Meat Cutters in Des Moines, IA is $17.38, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $22.74 or more per hour.

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

    The median Butchers and Meat Cutters salary in Des Moines, IA is 7.2% below 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 Des Moines?

    Entry-level Butchers and Meat Cutters (10th percentile) earn around $30,750 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $31,910.