Butchers and Meat Cutters

What the job really is

Cut, trim, or prepare consumer-sized portions of meat for use or sale in retail establishments.

At a glance

• Sector: Production
• O*NET-SOC code: 51-3021
• O*NET job zone: 2 — some preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 11
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Receive, inspect, and store meat upon delivery to ensure meat quality.
• Prepare and place meat cuts and products in display counter to appear attractive and catch the shopper's eye.
• Wrap, weigh, label, and price cuts of meat.
• Cut, trim, bone, tie, and grind meats, such as beef, pork, poultry, and fish, to prepare in cooking form.
• Prepare special cuts of meat ordered by customers.
• Estimate requirements and order or requisition meat supplies to maintain inventories.
• Shape, lace, and tie roasts, using boning knife, skewer, and twine.
• Record quantity of meat received and issued to cooks or keep records of meat sales.
• Supervise other butchers or meat cutters.
• Cure, smoke, tenderize, and preserve meat.
• Negotiate with representatives from supply companies to determine order details.

Tools and technology

Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Word, Air knives, Anti-griddles, Auto feed grinders, Bacon slicers, Balers, Beef shackles, Beef splitting saws, Bone dusters

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers
• Slaughterers and Meat Packers
• Cooks, Restaurant
• Food Preparation Workers
• Bakers
• Cooks, Short Order
• Chefs and Head Cooks
• Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 2 (some preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

Browse the verified job sources directory, or explore more occupations.

Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Butchers and Meat Cutters — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.