Butchers and meat cutters
SOC Code: 51-3021
Butchers and meat cutters carries a 30% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $38,960 and +1.0% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 143,100 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 30% AI exposure, Butchers and meat cutters sits 7 points below the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 30% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Where Butchers and meat cutters sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Butchers and meat cutters has ai exposure of 30%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Butchers and meat cutters vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Butchers and meat cutters is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Butchers and meat cutters (SOC 51-3021) carries an AI exposure score of 30%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 143,100 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +1.0% change through 2034 - modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $38,960, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires No formal educational credential, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Butchers and meat cutters. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Prepare and place meat cuts and products in display counter to appear attractive and catch the shopper's eye.
- 2. Wrap, weigh, label, and price cuts of meat.
- 3. Cut, trim, bone, tie, and grind meats, such as beef, pork, poultry, and fish, to prepare in cooking form.
- 4. Prepare special cuts of meat ordered by customers.
- 5. Receive, inspect, and store meat upon delivery to ensure meat quality.
- 6. Estimate requirements and order or requisition meat supplies to maintain inventories.
- 7. Record quantity of meat received and issued to cooks or keep records of meat sales.
- 8. Supervise other butchers or meat cutters.
- 9. Cure, smoke, tenderize, and preserve meat.
- 10. Negotiate with representatives from supply companies to determine order details.
Key Skills Required
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Social Perceptiveness
- Service Orientation
- Time Management
- Coordination
- Complex Problem Solving
Knowledge Areas
- Customer and Personal Service
- Food Production
- Production and Processing
- Sales and Marketing
- English Language
- Administration and Management
- Mathematics
- Education and Training
- Mechanical
- Administrative
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Butchers and meat cutters?
Butchers and meat cutters has an AI exposure score of 30%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Butchers and meat cutters?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Butchers and meat cutters is projected to grow by 1.0% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 143,100 workers.
What skills are needed for Butchers and meat cutters?
Key skills for Butchers and meat cutters include Active Listening, Reading Comprehension, Speaking, and others. Typical entry-level education is No formal educational credential.
How much do Butchers and meat cutters earn?
The median annual wage for Butchers and meat cutters is $38,960, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Butchers and meat cutters?
The typical entry-level education for Butchers and meat cutters is No formal educational credential. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Long-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Butchers and meat cutters?
Butchers and meat cutters roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
Related Occupations
Career Guides
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).