SOC 51-3021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Butchers and Meat Cutters — Sioux City
Sioux City, IA-NE-SD · 7 metro areas compared
At $42,740, median pay for Butchers and Meat Cutters in Sioux City, IA tracks the national median of $40,140 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $42,740, median pay for Butchers and Meat Cutters in Sioux City, IA tracks the national median of $40,140 closely. Pay ranges from under $30,670 at the tenth percentile to more than $46,830 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $34,410 to $45,340.
Employment stands at 270, or 3.6 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Waterloo records the highest median at $37,130. Of the 288 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 227th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $30,670 | −23.6% |
| 25th | $34,410 | −14.3% |
| Median (50th) | $42,740 | +6.5% |
| 75th | $45,340 | +13.0% |
| 90th | $46,830 | +16.7% |
| Mean | $39,820 | −0.8% |
Other metro areas in Iowa
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waterloo | $37,130 | 210 | |
| 2 | Des Moines | $36,770 | 770 | |
| 3 | Davenport | $36,520 | 230 | |
| 4 | Dubuque | $36,520 | 110 | |
| 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 Sioux City run 12.2% below the national average, so the median of $42,740 goes as far as $48,679 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 21.3% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$42,740as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$48,679US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $42,740 a year, 6.5% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $30,670 to $46,830 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 270 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Waterloo, at $37,130.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Butchers and Meat Cutters in Sioux City, IA?
The median annual wage is $42,740, or $20.55 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 Sioux City, IA is 6.5% higher. 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 Sioux City, IA earns more than $46,830 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $30,670 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 Waterloo, at $37,130 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 270 jobs in this occupation in Sioux City, 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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