Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers pay in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin

In Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (IL), the median pay for meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers is $19.56 an hour ($40,690 a year). About 2,770 people work in this job there.

$19.56Median hourly pay
$38,360–$42,220Middle half of workers, yearly
2,770People in this job in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (IL)

That is 6% higher than the U.S. median ($38,300). It is about the same as the Illinois median ($40,690).

Pay range for meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (IL)

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$17.19$35,750
25% of workers$18.44$38,360
Half of workers (median)$19.56$40,690
75% of workers$20.30$42,220
90% of workers$22.00$45,750

Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers pay in Illinois metro areas

Metro areaMedian yearly payPeople in this job
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (this page)$40,6902,770

Illinois unemployment rate: 4.7% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Education, experience and outlook for meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers

  • Typical education to start: No formal educational credential (BLS)
  • Related work experience most have: 1 to 3 months (O*NET)
  • Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
  • Job outlook: +5.7% over ten years, faster than average · about 17,000 openings a year (BLS)

Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (IL)

JobMedian yearly pay
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$43,290
Packers and Packagers, Hand$36,180
Food Batchmakers$47,660
Butchers and Meat Cutters$40,410
Slaughterers and Meat Packers$39,200
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$49,730
Bakers$37,230
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders$44,280

Other job titles for this job

TrimmerChicken DresserPoultry DresserPoultrymanSkinnerJourneyman Meat CutterMeat CutterMeat Team MemberMeatcutterAnimal EvisceratorAnimal SkinnerAnimal Sticker

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Source: 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.