Butchers, Meat Cutters and Fishmongers in Retail and Wholesale

(NOC 6331)

in All Sales and Service

Butchers, meat cutters and fishmongers in retail and wholesale, prepare standard cuts of meat, poultry, fish, and shellfish for sale in retail or wholesale food businesses. They work for supermarkets, grocery stores, butcher shops and fish stores or may be self-employed. Butchers who are supervisors or heads of departments are also included in this group.

Job Outlook

Average

Read more

  • Estimate Moderate growth employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 105 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate Low rate of unemployment in 2022

Compared to: All Sales and Service

  • Estimate 10325 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 17495 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

Hourly Pay

$14.50

Minimum

$14.50

Median

$17.31

Maximum

Annual Pay

$8,700

Minimum

$24,807

Median

$37,013

Maximum

Compared to: All Sales and Service

Hourly Pay

$12.95

Minimum

$15.00

Median

$25.60

Maximum

Annual Pay

$2,949

Minimum

$16,629

Median

$45,086

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Butchers, meat cutters and fishmongers in retail and wholesale, prepare standard cuts of meat, poultry, fish, and shellfish for sale in retail or wholesale food businesses. They work for supermarkets, grocery stores, butcher shops and fish stores or may be self-employed. Butchers who are supervisors or heads of departments are also included in this group.

Job duties

Butchers, meat cutters and fishmongers:

  • Cut, trim, and otherwise prepare standard cuts of meat, poultry, fish, and shellfish for sale at self-serve counters or according to customers' orders.
  • Grind meats and slice cooked meats using powered grinders and slicing machines.
  • Prepare special displays of meat, poultry, fish, and shellfish.
  • Shape, lace and tie roasts and other meats, poultry or fish and may wrap prepared meats, poultry, fish, and shellfish.
  • Manage inventory, keep records of sales, and determine amount, product line and freshness of products according to company and customer requirements.
  • Make sure food storage conditions are acceptable.
  • May supervise other butchers, or meat cutters or fishmongers.

Sample job titles

  • apprentice butcher - retail or wholesale
  • butcher - butcher shop
  • butcher - wholesale
  • grocery store butcher
  • head butcher - retail or wholesale
  • retail butcher
  • retail meat cutter

Skills

  • To be a butcher you must have good physical health, physical stamina, and manual dexterity. You must be able to take direction and carry out instructions. You may be required to work shift work and establish good working relationships with a variety of co-workers and customers.

Job requirements

  • High school may be required.
  • A college or other meat-and-fish-cutting training program, or a three-year meat cutting apprenticeship may be required.
  • On-the-job training in food stores is usually provided for retail butchers, meat cutters and fishmongers.

Other considerations

  • Most of these workers work shifts. They are on their feet most of the day and work with a variety of equipment like knives and saws.

By the numbers

Quick look

425

employed in 2016

74.1%

employed full-time

0.0%

self employed

10.6%
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89.4%
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40.8

median age

Compared to: All Sales and Service

102,605

employed in 2016

56.4%

employed full-time

5.8%

self employed

60.1%
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39.9%
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37

median age

Where will I likely work?

36.8%

Halifax

$26,107 median annual income
24.1%

Annapolis Valley

$28,244 median annual income
17.2%

North Shore

$24,818 median annual income
12.6%

Cape Breton

$14,764 median annual income
9.2%

Southern

$22,784 median annual income

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

86.5%

Retail trade

4.1%

Wholesale trade

4.1%

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

2.7%

Manufacturing

2.7%

Accommodation and food services

What is the age of Employment?

27.0%

25-34

19.0%

45-54

17.0%

15-24

17.0%

55-64

13.0%

35-44

7.0%

65+

Compared to: All Sales and Service

30.0%

15-24

17.2%

45-54

17.2%

25-34

16.1%

55-64

13.8%

35-44

Top levels of education

40.7%

High school

$23,417 median annual income
27.9%

Less than high school

$25,011 median annual income
19.8%

Trade Certification

$32,026 median annual income
11.6%

College Diploma

$31,934 median annual income

Compared to: All Sales and Service

39.8%

High school

$15,705 median annual income
19.7%

Less than high school

$9,866 median annual income
19.5%

College Diploma

$20,644 median annual income
9.9%

Bachelor

$21,262 median annual income
8.0%

Trade Certification

$21,234 median annual income

Education & training

High School Diploma or Equivalent

High School Program

Adults without a high school diploma can contact the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) for tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL oversees adult education programs in Nova Scotia. NSSAL partners with the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations to deliver programs. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED.

Institutions providing this program

Universite Sainte-Anne

Pointe-de-l'Église, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Adult High Schools

Various, NS

Community Learning Organizations

Various, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile

Contacts

Pork Nova Scotia
East Mountain, NS

Additional resources

There are no additional resources for this occupation.