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Butcher
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Interest in compiling information to process customers' orders; and to maintain inventories and keep records of meat sales
Interest in precision working to grind meats and slice cooked meats using powered grinders and slicing machines
Interest in determining the amounts and types of meat cuts to be prepared; may supervise other butchers and meat cutters
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.
A Quick Guide
You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.
The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.
The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.
Interest in operating equipment to split carcasses into smaller portions to facilitate handling
Interest in comparing information to remove viscera and other inedible parts from carcasses, and to skin, clean and trim carcasses
Interest in preparing meat for further processing, packaging and marketing
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
Meat cutters in retail stores prepare meat cuts and products to look attractive and appeal to shoppers. Duties vary, but in general, retail meat cutters:
Retail meat cutters also may:
Meat cutters in meat processing plants use knives and specialized equipment to slaughter, break, cut, bone, and trim meat. They produce a variety of cuts for markets (domestic and international). They must practice good personal hygiene and work within a strict food safety system. They may work in one department on a specific task or different departments on a variety of tasks. For example, they may work:
Meat cutters work indoors in rooms with controlled temperatures (from -2 C to 4 C). They are on their feet most of the day and often move heavy items. Their workplaces usually have safety measures (work procedures and safety equipment) to reduce the risk of injury (from repetitive motions and working with knives and saws).
Most meat cutters work shifts.
Meat cutters need:
Meat cutters should enjoy:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 100 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 06, 2021 and May 31, 2023.
Review these skills to learn:
| Tasks: Cut, trim and prepare standard cuts of meat | 92 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: Grind meats | 77 |
| Tasks: Clean meats to prepare for processing or cutting | 67 |
| Tasks: Remove bones from meat | 65 |
| Tasks: Cut poultry into parts | 63 |
| Tasks: Wrap and package prepared meats | 59 |
| Tasks: Shape, lace and tie roasts, other meats, poultry and seafood | 58 |
| Tasks: Weigh meats for sale | 58 |
| Tasks: Prepare special orders | 57 |
| Tasks: Cut carcasses, sides and quarters | 53 |
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 95 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 06, 2021 and May 31, 2023.
Review these skills to learn:
| Equipment and Machinery Experience: Knives | 59 |
|---|---|
| Equipment and Machinery Experience: Saws | 53 |
| Tasks: Remove bones from meat | 49 |
| Tasks: Cut beef, lamb, pork or veal carcasses or sides or quarters of carcasses into primal cuts for further cutting, processing or packaging | 44 |
| Health benefits: Health care plan | 41 |
| Work Setting: Meat processing and/or packing plant/establishment | 41 |
| Work Site Environment: Cold/refrigerated | 39 |
| Hand-eye co-ordination | 38 |
| Equipment and Machinery Experience: Power cutting tools | 37 |
| Work Site Environment: Noisy | 37 |
There are no formal education requirements for meat cutters. Many learn on the job. Most employers prefer to hire high school graduates or those with post-secondary meat industry education programs. On-the-job training takes 1 to 2 years depending on previous experience and education.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your search for programs related to this occupation, visit Post-Secondary Programs.
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.
Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Meat cutters may work in:
In processing plants, meat cutters usually start on an assembly line. Retail trainees often start with routine work, such as removing bones. They gradually learn more complex skills, such as rolling and tying roasts.
Experienced meat cutters may advance to supervisory roles. For example, they may become the meat department manager in a supermarket or team coordinator in a processing plant. Some meat cutters open their own meat shops or move into sales, inspection, or quality control.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
In the 6331: Butchers, meat cutters and fishmongers - retail and wholesale occupational group, 80.4% of people work in:
In the 9462: Industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers and related workers occupational group, 93.3% of people work in:
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, the 6331: Butchers, meat cutters and fishmongers - retail and wholesale occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.3% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 39 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
In Alberta, the 9462: Industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers and related workers occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 0.4% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 20 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
Note
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.
Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Depending on the nature of their work, Meat cutters can be part of two larger 2011 National Occupational Classifications, 6331: Butchers, meat cutters and fishmongers - retail and wholesale or 9462: Industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers and related workers.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.
High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $16.05 | $19.55 | $18.40 | $17.95 |
| Overall | $16.50 | $23.80 | $21.21 | $21.40 |
| Top | $21.30 | $26.00 | $23.28 | $23.50 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| Manufacturing | $45,410 |
|---|---|
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $44,086 |
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $15.00 | $24.45 | $17.74 | $16.00 |
| Overall | $16.80 | $27.52 | $22.47 | $24.00 |
| Top | $18.00 | $34.62 | $26.27 | $25.92 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| Retail Trade | $37,133 |
|---|---|
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $37,078 |
Canadian Professional Meat Cutters Association website: meatforce.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2022. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
