Slaughterers and Meat Packers salary in Illinois
Slaughterers and Meat Packers in Illinois earn a median of $44,950 a year ($21.61 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,360 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,910 for the top 10%. That is 12% higher than the national median of $40,130. Illinois ranks 12th of 47 states for slaughterers and meat packers pay. 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 $43,430, close to the median.
Pay range for slaughterers and meat packers in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,970 | $16.33 |
| 25th percentile | $35,310 | $16.97 |
| Median | $44,950 | $21.61 |
| 75th percentile | $48,810 | $23.46 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,910 | $24.00 |
| Average (mean) | $43,430 | $20.88 |
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 | $3,745.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,872.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,728.85 |
| Weekly | $864.42 |
| Hourly | $21.61 |
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 Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $48,120 | 430 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $39,200 | 1,780 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $38,840 | 120 |
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 Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Baker | $37,030 | $17.80 |
| Food Batchmaker | $48,130 | $23.14 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $39,240 | $18.86 |
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | $40,690 | $19.56 |
| Food Processing Workers, All Other | $45,340 | $21.80 |
| Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders | $42,670 | $20.51 |
| Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders | $38,230 | $18.38 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $44,140 | $21.22 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $47,920 | $23.04 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $75,200 | $36.16 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $43,150 | $20.75 |
| Machinist | $58,520 | $28.13 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $51,320 | $24.67 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $42,470 | $20.42 |
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 Illinois?
The median salary for slaughterers and meat packers in Illinois is $44,950 a year, or $21.61 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,910 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid slaughterers and meat packers make in Illinois?
The top 10% of slaughterers and meat packers in Illinois earn at least $49,910 a year. The top 25% earn $48,810 or more.
What is the starting pay for slaughterers and meat packers in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,970 a year, and a quarter of slaughterers and meat packers earn $35,310 or less.
How many slaughterers and meat packers work in Illinois?
About 3,360 slaughterers and meat packers are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.