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Retail

Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutter and Trimmer

Use hands or hand tools to perform routine cutting and trimming of meat, poultry, and seafood.

Annual openings

542

Median wage

$50,390

Typical education

Education not reported

Growth 2026–2032

+6%

Median wage source: Colorado BLS OEWS (2025).

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Career requirements

What does this career require?

Explore education, required qualifications, voluntary credentials and employer preferences for this role. Check the details to see which apply.

Typical education

Education not reported

Credential requirement

No certification is required or expected for this job.

Work experience

This is an entry-level role so no experience is required.

Is this work a fit?

What the work actually feels like

How people in this career tend to spend their time, the interests it draws on, and a look at a typical day.

Automation exposure

High exposure

Many tasks are repeatable, so technology could reshape the day-to-day over time.

A typical day

  1. Use knives, cleavers, meat saws, bandsaws, or other equipment to perform meat cutting and trimming.
  2. Inspect meat products for defects, bruises or blemishes and remove them along with any excess fat.
  3. Weigh meats and tag containers for weight and contents.
  4. Cut and trim meat to prepare for packing.
  5. Separate meats and byproducts into specified containers and seal containers.
  6. Clean, trim, slice, and section carcasses for future processing.
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