SOC 51-3021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Butchers and Meat Cutters — Dubuque
Dubuque, IA · 7 metro areas compared
The median wage for Butchers and Meat Cutters in Dubuque, IA is $36,520 per year, 9.0% below the national median of $40,140.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Butchers and Meat Cutters in Dubuque, IA is $36,520 per year, 9.0% below the national median of $40,140. Half of workers earn between $33,820 and $41,280. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $30,780 and the ninetieth at $45,530.
Employment stands at 110, or 1.9 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Sioux City records the highest median at $42,740. Of the 249 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 215th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $30,780 | −23.3% |
| 25th | $33,820 | −15.7% |
| Median (50th) | $36,520 | −9.0% |
| 75th | $41,280 | +2.8% |
| 90th | $45,530 | +13.4% |
| Mean | $37,840 | −5.7% |
Other metro areas in Iowa
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sioux City | $42,740 | 270 | |
| 2 | Waterloo | $37,130 | 210 | |
| 3 | Des Moines | $36,770 | 770 | |
| 4 | Davenport | $36,520 | 230 | |
| 5 | Ames | $36,110 | 160 | |
| 6 | Iowa City | $35,810 | 170 | |
| 7 | Cedar Rapids | $35,150 | 200 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Dubuque run 12.2% below the national average, so the median of $36,520 goes as far as $41,595 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 3.6% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$36,520as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$41,595US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $36,520 a year, 9.0% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $30,780 to $45,530 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 110 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Sioux City, at $42,740.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Butchers and Meat Cutters in Dubuque, IA?
The median annual wage is $36,520, or $17.56 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $40,140, so pay in Dubuque, IA is 9.0% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Dubuque, IA earns more than $45,530 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $30,780 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Sioux City, at $42,740 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 110 jobs in this occupation in Dubuque, IA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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