Butchers and Meat Cutters vs Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders: Salary, Job Outlook & Education | Career Matchup
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Butchers and Meat Cutters vs Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders

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01 · Compensation

Pay and employment

Median annual wage

2025

Butchers and Meat Cutters$40,140
90% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-3021

Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders$44,810
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-3091

Mean annual wage

2025

Butchers and Meat Cutters$42,380
92% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-3021

Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders$45,930
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-3091

Hourly median wage

2025

Butchers and Meat Cutters$19.30
90% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-3021

Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders$21.54
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-3091

Hourly mean wage

2025

Butchers and Meat Cutters$20.37
92% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-3021

Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders$22.08
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-3091

10th percentile annual wage

2025

Butchers and Meat Cutters$29,460
89% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-3021

Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders$33,250
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-3091

25th percentile annual wage

2025

Butchers and Meat Cutters$35,510
95% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-3021

Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders$37,540
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-3091

75th percentile annual wage

2025

Butchers and Meat Cutters$48,050
95% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-3021

Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders$50,680
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-3091

90th percentile annual wage

2025

Butchers and Meat Cutters$58,110
93% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-3021

Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders$62,680
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-3091

National employment

2025

Butchers and Meat Cutters136,430
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-3021

Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders20,370
15% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-3091

02 · Outlook

Employment outlook

Bars compare the same metric across the two careers. They are not an overall score.

Projected employment change

2025-2035

Butchers and Meat Cutters2.4%
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 51-3021

Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders0.4%
17% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 51-3091

Average annual openings

2025-2035

Butchers and Meat Cutters15.1k
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 51-3021

Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders2.5k
17% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 51-3091

03 · Preparation

Education and training

Typical entry-level education

2025-2035

Butchers and Meat CuttersNo formal educational credential

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 51-3021

Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and TendersNo formal educational credential

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 51-3091

Related work experience

2025-2035

Butchers and Meat CuttersNot available

Value missing or suppressed in source.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 51-3021

Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and TendersNot available

Value missing or suppressed in source.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 51-3091

On-the-job training

2025-2035

Butchers and Meat CuttersModerate-term on-the-job training

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 51-3021

Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and TendersModerate-term on-the-job training

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 51-3091

04 · Context and fit

Work context

Only compatible O*NET scales are compared together. Relative bars preserve the source scale interpretation.

Contact with others

Butchers and Meat Cutters4.5 raw · CX scale
88% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-3021.00

Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders4 raw · CX scale
74% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-3091.00

Time pressure

Butchers and Meat Cutters4.1 raw · CX scale
78% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-3021.00

Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders4 raw · CX scale
76% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-3091.00

Spend time standing

Butchers and Meat Cutters4.9 raw · CX scale
97% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-3021.00

Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders4.8 raw · CX scale
95% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-3091.00

Exposed to contaminants

Butchers and Meat Cutters2.5 raw · CX scale
38% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-3021.00

Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders3.3 raw · CX scale
56% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-3091.00

Exposed to disease or infections

Butchers and Meat Cutters1.1 raw · CX scale
3% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-3021.00

Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders1.3 raw · CX scale
6% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-3091.00

Exposed to hazardous equipment

Butchers and Meat Cutters4.3 raw · CX scale
83% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-3021.00

Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders2.1 raw · CX scale
28% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-3091.00

04 · Context and fit

Skills

Only compatible O*NET scales are compared together. Relative bars preserve the source scale interpretation.

Active listening

Butchers and Meat Cutters3 raw · LV scale
43% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-3021.00

Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders2.9 raw · LV scale
41% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-3091.00

Critical thinking

Butchers and Meat Cutters3 raw · LV scale
43% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-3021.00

Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders3 raw · LV scale
43% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-3091.00

Reading comprehension

Butchers and Meat Cutters3 raw · LV scale
43% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-3021.00

Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders2.9 raw · LV scale
41% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-3091.00

Speaking

Butchers and Meat Cutters3 raw · LV scale
43% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-3021.00

Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders2.9 raw · LV scale
41% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-3091.00

Monitoring

Butchers and Meat Cutters2.9 raw · LV scale
41% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-3021.00

Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders3 raw · LV scale
43% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-3091.00

Writing

Butchers and Meat Cutters2.8 raw · LV scale
39% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-3021.00

Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders2.9 raw · LV scale
41% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-3091.00

Active learning

Butchers and Meat Cutters2.1 raw · LV scale
30% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-3021.00

Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders2.6 raw · LV scale
37% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-3091.00

Learning strategies

Butchers and Meat Cutters2 raw · LV scale
29% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-3021.00

Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders2.5 raw · LV scale
36% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-3091.00

04 · Context and fit

Work styles

Only compatible O*NET scales are compared together. Relative bars preserve the source scale interpretation.

Dependability

Butchers and Meat Cutters2.1 raw · WI scale
86% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-3021.00

Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders2.2 raw · WI scale
86% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-3091.00

Attention to detail

Butchers and Meat Cutters2.1 raw · WI scale
85% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-3021.00

Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders2.2 raw · WI scale
86% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-3091.00

Stress tolerance

Butchers and Meat Cutters1.1 raw · WI scale
69% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-3021.00

Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders1 raw · WI scale
66% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-3091.00

Cooperation

Butchers and Meat Cutters0.7 raw · WI scale
62% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-3021.00

Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders0.4 raw · WI scale
56% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-3091.00

Explore your next step

Butchers and Meat Cutters

Read the full profile, preparation, skills and source details.

Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders

Read the full profile, preparation, skills and source details.

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Sources

Each side retains the source release, reference period, occupation code, and file hash used for the comparison.

Butchers and Meat Cutters

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics

Source-backed

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Release May 2025 · Reference 2025

Occupation code 51-3021 · SHA-256 b5855a37f3e03e779f6fbf173d3bbc94aeeff33426aef32fa95ce6d025bab1af

Employment Projections

Source-backed

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Release 2025-2035 · Reference 2025-2035

Occupation code 51-3021 · SHA-256 a7d060f0576f7d4f5b829b9a0bb4a6c11a12766d159ebb0e07aab5bd2e7583c5

O*NET Database

Source-backed

O*NET Resource Center

Release 31.0 · Reference August 2026

Occupation code 51-3021.00 · SHA-256 c63ad00a8e45f3d3ef8e1529fcf8864d2279f2dfcb98737436818f5664781b04

Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics

Source-backed

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Release May 2025 · Reference 2025

Occupation code 51-3091 · SHA-256 b5855a37f3e03e779f6fbf173d3bbc94aeeff33426aef32fa95ce6d025bab1af

Employment Projections

Source-backed

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Release 2025-2035 · Reference 2025-2035

Occupation code 51-3091 · SHA-256 a7d060f0576f7d4f5b829b9a0bb4a6c11a12766d159ebb0e07aab5bd2e7583c5

O*NET Database

Source-backed

O*NET Resource Center

Release 31.0 · Reference August 2026

Occupation code 51-3091.00 · SHA-256 c63ad00a8e45f3d3ef8e1529fcf8864d2279f2dfcb98737436818f5664781b04

Read the data in context

Career Matchup does not declare an overall winner. National estimates can hide local variation, and O*NET relative values describe the named construct rather than whether a career is better.

Career Matchup is an independent comparison tool.

Data sourcesData availabilityAboutFree guideContactPrivacyTermsData: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET® Database.