Butchers and Meat Cutters pay in Iowa
In Iowa, the median pay for butchers and meat cutters is $18.15 an hour ($37,750 a year). About 4,480 people work in this job there.
That is 6% lower than the U.S. median ($40,140). Iowa ranks 38th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for butchers and meat cutters in Iowa
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $14.52 | $30,200 |
| 25% of workers | $16.65 | $34,630 |
| Half of workers (median) | $18.15 | $37,750 |
| 75% of workers | $20.76 | $43,180 |
| 90% of workers | $22.36 | $46,510 |
Butchers and Meat Cutters pay in Iowa metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux City | $42,740 | 270 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls | $37,130 | 210 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines | $36,770 | 770 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | $36,520 | 230 |
| Dubuque | $36,520 | 110 |
| Ames | $36,110 | 160 |
| Iowa City | $35,810 | 170 |
| Cedar Rapids | $35,150 | 200 |
Iowa unemployment rate: 3.2% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for butchers and meat cutters
- Typical education to start: No formal educational credential (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 1 to 2 years (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +2.4% over ten years, about as fast as average · about 15,100 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,670 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $35,810 |
| Slaughterers and Meat Packers | $43,820 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $30,360 |
| Food Batchmakers | $48,300 |
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | $43,190 |
| Bakers | $37,210 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $47,990 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.