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Retail

Butcher and Meat Cutter

Cut, trim, or prepare consumer-sized portions of meat for use or sale in retail establishments.

Annual openings

246

Median wage

$47,490

Typical education

Education not reported

Growth 2026–2032

+4%

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

Credential requirements not reported

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.

Work style

The type of work can vary by job and employer.

  • With childrenNo
  • On a computerNo
  • OutdoorsNo
  • With your handsYes

Interests it draws on

  • Hospitality and Tourism
  • Culinary

Automation exposure

High exposure

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

A typical day

  1. Prepare and place meat cuts and products in display counter to appear attractive and catch the shopper's eye.
  2. Prepare special cuts of meat ordered by customers.
  3. Receive, inspect, and store meat upon delivery to ensure meat quality.
  4. Shape, lace, and tie roasts, using boning knife, skewer, and twine.
  5. Wrap, weigh, label, and price cuts of meat.
  6. Cut, trim, bone, tie, and grind meats, such as beef, pork, poultry, and fish, to prepare in cooking form.
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