SOC 51-3022 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers — Virginia
Virginia · 2 metro areas compared
At $36,170, median pay for Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers in Virginia tracks the national median of $38,300 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $36,170, median pay for Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers in Virginia tracks the national median of $38,300 closely. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $30,710 and $37,250. The lowest tenth earn under $29,470, while the highest tenth earn more than $43,240.
The area has 2,740 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.71 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Among the 50 states with published data for this occupation, Virginia ranks 39th by median wage. Richmond leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $37,630. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 697th of 747 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $29,470 | −23.1% |
| 25th | $30,710 | −19.8% |
| Median (50th) | $36,170 | −5.6% |
| 75th | $37,250 | −2.7% |
| 90th | $43,240 | +12.9% |
| Mean | $35,460 | −7.4% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Virginia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Richmond | $37,630 | 210 | |
| 2 | Virginia Beach | $33,580 | 660 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Virginia sit close to the national average, so $36,170 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$36,170as reported by BLSLocal price level
101.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$35,776US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $36,170 a year, 5.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $29,470 to $43,240 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 2,740 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 39th of 50 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Richmond, at $37,630.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers in Virginia?
The median annual wage is $36,170, or $17.39 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 $38,300, so pay in Virginia is 5.6% 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 Virginia earns more than $43,240 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $29,470 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 Richmond, at $37,630 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 2,740 jobs in this occupation in Virginia. 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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