Industrial Butchers and Meat Cutters, Poultry Preparers and Related Workers
(NOC 9462)
in All Manufacturing and UtilitiesWorkers in this group prepare meat and poultry for further processing or for packaging for wholesale distribution. They work in meat and poultry slaughtering, processing and packing businesses.
Job Outlook
Undetermined
Read more
Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities
Hourly Pay
$14.50
Minimum$19.50
Median$20.00
MaximumAnnual Pay
N/A
Minimum$31,735
MedianN/A
MaximumCompared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities
Hourly Pay
$14.00
Minimum$20.80
Median$33.00
MaximumAnnual Pay
$6,056
Minimum$30,111
Median$70,518
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
Workers in this group prepare meat and poultry for further processing or for packaging for wholesale distribution. They work in meat and poultry slaughtering, processing and packing businesses.
Job duties
Industrial butchers:
- Slaughter livestock using stunning devices and knives.
- Skin, clean and trim carcasses.
- Remove viscera and other inedible parts from carcasses.
- Split carcasses into smaller portions to simplify handling.
- May slaughter cattle, calves and sheep as prescribed by religious laws.
Industrial meat cutters:
- Cut beef, lamb, pork or veal carcasses or sides or quarters of carcasses into primal cuts for further cutting, processing or packaging.
- Remove bones from meat.
- Cut meat and poultry into specific cuts for institutional, commercial or other wholesale use.
- Remove skin, excess fat, bruises or other blemishes from carcasses or meat portions.
Poultry preparers:
- Slaughter poultry and remove inedible parts.
- Remove feathers and singe and wash poultry to prepare for further processing or packaging.
Sample job titles
- industrial butcher
- meat cutter - meat packing plant
- poultry butcher - meat packing plant
- poultry preparer
- poultry worker - meat packing plant
- slaughterhouse butcher
- trimmer - meat packing plant
Skills
- You should be responsible, alert, and in good physical health. Coordination, agility, and mechanical skills are important. You must also be able to take direction and carry out instructions given by a supervisor.
Job requirements
- High school may be required.
- A program in industrial meat cutting is required for industrial meat cutters.
- On-the-job training is provided for industrial butchers, poultry preparers and trimmers.
Other considerations
- Industrial meat cutters may move to inspecting, testing and grading jobs. Movement to supervisor positions is possible with experience.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Annapolis Valley
$34,329 median annual incomeNorth Shore
N/AHalifax
N/ASouthern
N/ACompared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Manufacturing
Retail trade
What is the age of Employment?
55-64
25-34
35-44
45-54
15-24
Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities
45-54
55-64
35-44
25-34
15-24
Top levels of education
Less than high school
N/AHigh school
N/ATrade Certification
N/ACollege Diploma
N/ACompared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities
High school
$28,505 median annual incomeLess than high school
$19,224 median annual incomeCollege Diploma
$38,781 median annual incomeTrade Certification
$43,975 median annual incomeBachelor
$39,715 median annual incomeEducation & training
High School Diploma or Equivalent
High School ProgramAdults 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
Various, NS
Various, NS
Various, NS
Employment requirements & contacts
No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile
Contacts
Additional resources
There are no additional resources for this occupation.