Slaughterers and Meat Packers salary in North Carolina
Slaughterers and Meat Packers in North Carolina earn a median of $39,930 a year ($19.20 an hour), based on BLS data for 6,120 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,550 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $40,130. North Carolina ranks 23rd of 47 states for slaughterers and meat packers pay. There are 1.2 slaughterers and meat packers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $40,420, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for slaughterers and meat packers in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| 25th percentile | $35,720 | $17.18 |
| Median | $39,930 | $19.20 |
| 75th percentile | $46,180 | $22.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,550 | $23.82 |
| Average (mean) | $40,420 | $19.43 |
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 | $3,327.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,663.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,535.77 |
| Weekly | $767.88 |
| Hourly | $19.20 |
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 cities in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $37,270 | 130 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $35,960 | 200 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $34,780 | 40 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $31,570 | 30 |
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 North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | $39,170 | $18.83 |
| Baker | $34,510 | $16.59 |
| Food Processing Workers, All Other | $37,360 | $17.96 |
| Food Batchmaker | $36,590 | $17.59 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $38,240 | $18.38 |
| Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders | $35,980 | $17.30 |
| Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders | $39,070 | $18.79 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $40,330 | $19.39 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $69,640 | $33.48 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $46,430 | $22.32 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $38,790 | $18.65 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $41,150 | $19.78 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $50,590 | $24.32 |
| Machinist | $55,230 | $26.56 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for slaughterers and meat packers in North Carolina is $39,930 a year, or $19.20 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,550 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid slaughterers and meat packers make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of slaughterers and meat packers in North Carolina earn at least $49,550 a year. The top 25% earn $46,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for slaughterers and meat packers in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,200 a year, and a quarter of slaughterers and meat packers earn $35,720 or less.
How many slaughterers and meat packers work in North Carolina?
About 6,120 slaughterers and meat packers are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.