Slaughterers and Meat Packers salary in Colorado
Slaughterers and Meat Packers in Colorado earn a median of $50,480 a year ($24.27 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,590 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,520 for the top 10%. That is 26% higher than the national median of $40,130. Colorado ranks 1st of 47 states for slaughterers and meat packers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.55 slaughterers and meat packers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $51,010, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for slaughterers and meat packers in Colorado
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,910 | $18.71 |
| 25th percentile | $45,270 | $21.77 |
| Median | $50,480 | $24.27 |
| 75th percentile | $57,950 | $27.86 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,520 | $28.62 |
| Average (mean) | $51,010 | $24.53 |
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 | $4,206.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,103.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,941.54 |
| Weekly | $970.77 |
| Hourly | $24.27 |
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 Colorado
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $46,990 | 210 |
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 Colorado
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Baker | $40,650 | $19.55 |
| Food Batchmaker | $44,900 | $21.59 |
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | $50,390 | $24.23 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $47,490 | $22.83 |
| Food Processing Workers, All Other | $46,930 | $22.56 |
| Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders | $59,590 | $28.65 |
| Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders | $46,900 | $22.55 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $78,890 | $37.93 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $46,150 | $22.19 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $58,350 | $28.06 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $58,590 | $28.17 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $46,010 | $22.12 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $47,660 | $22.91 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $37,680 | $18.11 |
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 Colorado?
The median salary for slaughterers and meat packers in Colorado is $50,480 a year, or $24.27 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,520 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid slaughterers and meat packers make in Colorado?
The top 10% of slaughterers and meat packers in Colorado earn at least $59,520 a year. The top 25% earn $57,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for slaughterers and meat packers in Colorado?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,910 a year, and a quarter of slaughterers and meat packers earn $45,270 or less.
How many slaughterers and meat packers work in Colorado?
About 1,590 slaughterers and meat packers are employed in Colorado, not counting the self-employed.