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Career Exploration

Slaughterers and Meat Packers

Also called: Meat Packer, Meat Processor, Meat Trimmer, Meat Wrapper

What they do:

Perform nonroutine or precision functions involving the preparation of large portions of meat. Work may include specialized slaughtering tasks, cutting standard or premium cuts of meat for marketing, making sausage, or wrapping meats. Work typically occurs in slaughtering, meat packing, or wholesale establishments.

On the job, you would:
  • Remove bones, and cut meat into standard cuts in preparation for marketing.
  • Sever jugular veins to drain blood and facilitate slaughtering.
  • Tend assembly lines, performing a few of the many cuts needed to process a carcass.
On the job, you'll need:

Business

  • customer service

Manufactured or Agricultural Goods

  • food production
  • manufacture and distribution of products

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Basic Skills

  • talking to others

Social

  • understanding people's reactions

Hand and Finger Use

  • keep your arm or hand steady
  • put together small parts with your fingers

Physical Strength

  • lift, push, pull, or carry
  • use your lower back and stomach

Realistic

People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.

  • Dependability
  • Integrity
  • Attention to Detail
  • Adaptability/Flexibility
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Self Control

Spreadsheet software

  • Microsoft Excel

Inventory management software

  • AgInfoLink Meat Inventory Tracking System MITS
  • Traceability software

Enterprise resource planning ERP software

  • Integrated Management Systems Food Connex Cloud
  • Second Foundation NaviMeat

Video courtesy of CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this position is Below Average.

New job opportunities are less likely in the future.

Median Annual Salary: $35,240

Education

High school diploma/GED or no high school diploma/GED is usually needed.