Slaughterers and Meat Packers salary in Columbia, SC
Slaughterers and Meat Packers in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $46,170 a year ($22.20 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,630 for the top 10%. That is 15% higher than the national median of $40,130. Pay here is about the same as the South Carolina statewide median of $46,000. There are 0.38 slaughterers and meat packers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $43,800, close to the median.
Pay range for slaughterers and meat packers in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,970 | $17.78 |
| 25th percentile | $40,800 | $19.62 |
| Median | $46,170 | $22.20 |
| 75th percentile | $46,630 | $22.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,630 | $22.42 |
| Average (mean) | $43,800 | $21.06 |
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 | $3,847.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,923.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,775.77 |
| Weekly | $887.88 |
| Hourly | $22.20 |
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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $37,270 | 130 |
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 |
See Slaughterers and Meat Packers pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | $35,660 | $17.15 |
| Baker | $33,800 | $16.25 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $37,350 | $17.96 |
| Food Batchmaker | $38,900 | $18.70 |
| Food Processing Workers, All Other | $35,980 | $17.30 |
| Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders | $36,420 | $17.51 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $42,230 | $20.31 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $76,420 | $36.74 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $48,310 | $23.23 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $41,340 | $19.87 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $49,730 | $23.91 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $43,790 | $21.05 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $55,070 | $26.48 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $39,560 | $19.02 |
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 Columbia, SC?
The median salary for slaughterers and meat packers in the Columbia, SC metro area is $46,170 a year, or $22.20 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,630 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid slaughterers and meat packers make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of slaughterers and meat packers in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $46,630 a year. The top 25% earn $46,630 or more.
What is the starting pay for slaughterers and meat packers in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,970 a year, and a quarter of slaughterers and meat packers earn $40,800 or less.
How many slaughterers and meat packers work in Columbia, SC?
About 150 slaughterers and meat packers are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.