Slaughterers and Meat Packers salary in Pennsylvania
Slaughterers and Meat Packers in Pennsylvania earn a median of $37,330 a year ($17.95 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,410 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,970 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $40,130. Pennsylvania ranks 36th of 47 states for slaughterers and meat packers pay. There are 0.73 slaughterers and meat packers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $38,570, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for slaughterers and meat packers in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,130 | $14.49 |
| 25th percentile | $35,790 | $17.21 |
| Median | $37,330 | $17.95 |
| 75th percentile | $42,050 | $20.22 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,970 | $22.10 |
| Average (mean) | $38,570 | $18.54 |
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 | $3,110.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,555.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,435.77 |
| Weekly | $717.88 |
| Hourly | $17.95 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $41,950 | 1,720 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $38,990 | 60 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $37,170 | 150 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $37,020 | 290 |
| Lebanon, PA | $36,420 | 350 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Baker | $36,360 | $17.48 |
| Food Batchmaker | $39,920 | $19.19 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $38,340 | $18.43 |
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | $36,480 | $17.54 |
| Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders | $42,710 | $20.54 |
| Food Processing Workers, All Other | $41,620 | $20.01 |
| Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders | $49,660 | $23.87 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $44,160 | $21.23 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $74,990 | $36.05 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $48,320 | $23.23 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $44,480 | $21.39 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $52,900 | $25.43 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $45,600 | $21.92 |
| Machinist | $57,810 | $27.79 |
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 Pennsylvania?
The median salary for slaughterers and meat packers in Pennsylvania is $37,330 a year, or $17.95 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,970 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid slaughterers and meat packers make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of slaughterers and meat packers in Pennsylvania earn at least $45,970 a year. The top 25% earn $42,050 or more.
What is the starting pay for slaughterers and meat packers in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,130 a year, and a quarter of slaughterers and meat packers earn $35,790 or less.
How many slaughterers and meat packers work in Pennsylvania?
About 4,410 slaughterers and meat packers are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.