Slaughterers and Meat Packers salary in Arkansas
Slaughterers and Meat Packers in Arkansas earn a median of $37,800 a year ($18.17 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,140 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,700 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $40,130. Arkansas ranks 30th of 47 states for slaughterers and meat packers pay. There are 1.6 slaughterers and meat packers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $37,660, close to the median.
Pay range for slaughterers and meat packers in Arkansas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,870 | $16.29 |
| 25th percentile | $34,030 | $16.36 |
| Median | $37,800 | $18.17 |
| 75th percentile | $39,080 | $18.79 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $43,700 | $21.01 |
| Average (mean) | $37,660 | $18.11 |
Half of slaughterers and meat packers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,150 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,575 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,453.85 |
| Weekly | $726.92 |
| Hourly | $18.17 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Slaughterers and Meat Packers salary in cities in Arkansas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $38,800 | 300 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $29,750 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for slaughterers and meat packers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Colorado | $50,480 |
| Arizona | $49,020 |
| Nebraska | $48,910 |
| Kansas | $48,240 |
| Montana | $46,700 |
| South Carolina | $46,000 |
| Oregon | $45,980 |
| Oklahoma | $45,970 |
| Michigan | $45,850 |
| New Jersey | $45,230 |
Related jobs in Arkansas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | $37,980 | $18.26 |
| Baker | $30,380 | $14.61 |
| Food Batchmaker | $38,990 | $18.75 |
| Food Processing Workers, All Other | $37,840 | $18.19 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $34,380 | $16.53 |
| Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders | $45,080 | $21.67 |
| Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders | $40,480 | $19.46 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $36,990 | $17.78 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $63,090 | $30.33 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $35,540 | $17.09 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $47,970 | $23.06 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $44,570 | $21.43 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $37,740 | $18.15 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $36,030 | $17.32 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-3023. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a slaughterers and meat packers make in Arkansas?
The median salary for slaughterers and meat packers in Arkansas is $37,800 a year, or $18.17 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,700 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid slaughterers and meat packers make in Arkansas?
The top 10% of slaughterers and meat packers in Arkansas earn at least $43,700 a year. The top 25% earn $39,080 or more.
What is the starting pay for slaughterers and meat packers in Arkansas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,870 a year, and a quarter of slaughterers and meat packers earn $34,030 or less.
How many slaughterers and meat packers work in Arkansas?
About 2,140 slaughterers and meat packers are employed in Arkansas, not counting the self-employed.