Slaughterers and Meat Packers salary in California
Slaughterers and Meat Packers in California earn a median of $39,420 a year ($18.95 an hour), based on BLS data for 6,170 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,400 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $40,130. California ranks 25th of 47 states for slaughterers and meat packers pay. There are 0.34 slaughterers and meat packers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.75). The average (mean) salary is $41,000, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for slaughterers and meat packers in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,050 | $16.85 |
| 25th percentile | $36,290 | $17.45 |
| Median | $39,420 | $18.95 |
| 75th percentile | $43,690 | $21.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,400 | $23.75 |
| Average (mean) | $41,000 | $19.71 |
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 | $3,285 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,642.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,516.15 |
| Weekly | $758.08 |
| Hourly | $18.95 |
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 California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $45,300 | 140 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $44,490 | 210 |
| Fresno, CA | $39,420 | 2,690 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $36,270 | 840 |
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 California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Baker | $43,120 | $20.73 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $44,290 | $21.29 |
| Food Batchmaker | $41,670 | $20.03 |
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | $36,570 | $17.58 |
| Food Processing Workers, All Other | $38,230 | $18.38 |
| Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders | $44,740 | $21.51 |
| Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders | $45,600 | $21.93 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $47,720 | $22.94 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $54,300 | $26.11 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $76,840 | $36.94 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $44,020 | $21.16 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $48,080 | $23.12 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $41,670 | $20.03 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $58,060 | $27.91 |
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 California?
The median salary for slaughterers and meat packers in California is $39,420 a year, or $18.95 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,400 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid slaughterers and meat packers make in California?
The top 10% of slaughterers and meat packers in California earn at least $49,400 a year. The top 25% earn $43,690 or more.
What is the starting pay for slaughterers and meat packers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,050 a year, and a quarter of slaughterers and meat packers earn $36,290 or less.
How many slaughterers and meat packers work in California?
About 6,170 slaughterers and meat packers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.