Slaughterers and Meat Packers salary in Montana
Slaughterers and Meat Packers in Montana earn a median of $46,700 a year ($22.45 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $53,680 for the top 10%. That is 16% higher than the national median of $40,130. Montana ranks 5th of 47 states for slaughterers and meat packers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.15 slaughterers and meat packers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.33). The average (mean) salary is $46,130, close to the median.
Pay range for slaughterers and meat packers in Montana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,450 | $18.00 |
| 25th percentile | $43,410 | $20.87 |
| Median | $46,700 | $22.45 |
| 75th percentile | $48,860 | $23.49 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $53,680 | $25.81 |
| Average (mean) | $46,130 | $22.18 |
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 | $3,891.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,945.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,796.15 |
| Weekly | $898.08 |
| Hourly | $22.45 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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 Montana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Baker | $37,200 | $17.89 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| Food Batchmaker | $39,630 | $19.05 |
| Food Processing Workers, All Other | $37,740 | $18.15 |
| Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders | $35,360 | $17.00 |
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | $37,440 | $18.00 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $68,760 | $33.06 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $55,610 | $26.73 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $44,940 | $21.61 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $36,250 | $17.43 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $58,040 | $27.90 |
| Machinist | $60,920 | $29.29 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $58,070 | $27.92 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $98,310 | $47.26 |
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 Montana?
The median salary for slaughterers and meat packers in Montana is $46,700 a year, or $22.45 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $53,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid slaughterers and meat packers make in Montana?
The top 10% of slaughterers and meat packers in Montana earn at least $53,680 a year. The top 25% earn $48,860 or more.
What is the starting pay for slaughterers and meat packers in Montana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,450 a year, and a quarter of slaughterers and meat packers earn $43,410 or less.
How many slaughterers and meat packers work in Montana?
About 80 slaughterers and meat packers are employed in Montana, not counting the self-employed.