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Butchers and Meat Cutters vs. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers: Who Earns More?

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers out-earn Butchers and Meat Cutters by $34K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Butchers and Meat Cutters land at $40,140 and First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers at $74,450. The education gap is real: butchers and meat cutter programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while first-line supervisors of production and operating worker programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Butchers and Meat Cutters is Washington ($51,670); for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers it's Wyoming ($90,390).

Butchers and Meat Cutters
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
Median salary
$40,140
$74,450
Hourly rate
$19.3/hr
$35.79/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$29,460
$47,130
Senior level (90th %)
$58,110
$108,750
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
136,430
673,430
Job growth (10-year)
1%
1.2%
Category
Production & Manufacturing
Production & Manufacturing
Top-paying state
Washington
Wyoming

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Butchers and Meat Cutters median pay.

State
Butchers and Meat Cutters
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
Washington
$51,670
$79,310
Alaska
$50,450
$77,960
District of Columbia
$48,760
$80,030
Massachusetts
$48,430
$79,920
New Hampshire
$47,740
$79,310
Colorado
$47,490
$78,890
New York
$47,080
$78,580
Delaware
$47,040
$79,100
Rhode Island
$45,210
$81,650
Wyoming
$44,820
$90,390
Connecticut
$44,570
$83,150
Maryland
$44,130
$78,520
Minnesota
$43,930
$78,550
New Jersey
$38,540
$81,110
Maine
$38,250
$78,970

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Butchers and Meat Cutters or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers earn more nationally. The median is $40,140 for Butchers and Meat Cutters versus $74,450 for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers, a difference of $34K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Butchers and Meat Cutters or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers has the better 10-year outlook at 1.2% projected growth, compared to 1% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Butchers and Meat Cutters or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

Butchers and Meat Cutters typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Butchers and Meat Cutters get paid the most?

Washington is the top-paying state for Butchers and Meat Cutters at $51,670/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Butchers and Meat Cutters vs. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Washington, Butchers and Meat Cutters earn $51,670 vs. $79,310 for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Butchers and Meat Cutters salary breakdownView →Full First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Butchers and Meat Cutters by take-home payExplore →Best cities for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers by take-home payExplore →How to become a butchers and meat cuttersGuide →How to become a first-line supervisors of production and operating workersGuide →