Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Understanding customer needs and providing helpful, professional service.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Meat, poultry, and fish processing workers typically need no formal educational credential. They learn their skills on the job. PayThe median annual wage for meat, poultry, and fish processing workers was $39,190 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of meat, poultry, and fish processing workers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 39,800 openings for meat, poultry, and fish processing workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for meat, poultry, and fish processing workers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of meat, poultry, and fish processing workers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about meat, poultry, and fish processing workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for meat, poultry, and fish processing workers was $39,190 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of meat, poultry, and fish processing workers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 39,800 openings for meat, poultry, and fish processing workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for meat, poultry, and fish processing workers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of meat, poultry, and fish processing workers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about meat, poultry, and fish processing workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of meat, poultry, and fish processing workers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 39,800 openings for meat, poultry, and fish processing workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for meat, poultry, and fish processing workers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of meat, poultry, and fish processing workers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about meat, poultry, and fish processing workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Meat, poultry, and fish processing workers cut, trim, and prepare meat and seafood for wholesale and retail sale.
Work Environment
Meat, poultry, and fish processing workers are employed in a variety of settings, such as grocery stores and food manufacturing establishments. The work can be physically demanding and may include exposure to repetitive motions, dangerous equipment, and cold temperatures.
How to Become a Meat, Poultry, or Fish Processing Worker
Meat, poultry, and fish processing workers typically need no formal educational credential. They learn their skills on the job.
Pay
The median annual wage for meat, poultry, and fish processing workers was $39,190 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of meat, poultry, and fish processing workers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 39,800 openings for meat, poultry, and fish processing workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for meat, poultry, and fish processing workers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of meat, poultry, and fish processing workers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about meat, poultry, and fish processing workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Meat, poultry, and fish processing workers are employed in a variety of settings, such as grocery stores and food manufacturing establishments. The work can be physically demanding and may include exposure to repetitive motions, dangerous equipment, and cold temperatures.
How to Become a Meat, Poultry, or Fish Processing Worker
Meat, poultry, and fish processing workers typically need no formal educational credential. They learn their skills on the job.
Pay
The median annual wage for meat, poultry, and fish processing workers was $39,190 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of meat, poultry, and fish processing workers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 39,800 openings for meat, poultry, and fish processing workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for meat, poultry, and fish processing workers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of meat, poultry, and fish processing workers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about meat, poultry, and fish processing workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for meat, poultry, and fish processing workers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of meat, poultry, and fish processing workers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about meat, poultry, and fish processing workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about meat, poultry, and fish processing workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Explore Training Options
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.