Butchers and Meat Cutters Salary in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
In Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA, butchers and meat cutters earn $48,890 at the median — $23.51 an hour. The range runs from $38K at the entry level to $59K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 105.42), so that salary is closer to $46,376 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,922/month — about 56.9% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $49K get you in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro?
About butchers and meat cutters
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
Entry-level butchers and meat cutters (10th percentile) start around $38K. Mid-career wages sit at $49K.Top earners bring in $59K or more - a $21K spread from bottom to top.
Butchers and Meat Cutters pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $50K | +29% | 580 |
| Massachusetts | $48K | +24% | 1,790 |
| Alaska | $48K | +24% | 260 |
| Washington | $48K | +24% | 2,710 |
| District of Columbia | $48K | +23% | 160 |
| Oregon | $47K | +21% | 1,490 |
| Delaware | $47K | +21% | 230 |
| New Hampshire | $47K | +20% | 500 |
| New York | $46K | +19% | 4,800 |
| Maine | $45K | +17% | 560 |
| Minnesota | $44K | +14% | 2,160 |
| California | $44K | +14% | 21,220 |
| Rhode Island | $44K | +12% | 370 |
| Wyoming | $44K | +12% | 150 |
| Utah | $42K | +7% | 1,380 |
Track butchers and meat cutters salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do butchers and meat cutters make in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?
The median is $48,890 a year - that works out to about $23.51 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $38,190, and experienced butchers and meat cutters can clear $59,180. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $49K enough to live in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,131/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,922/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 61.4% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a butchers and meat cutters salary go in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro?
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro has a Regional Price Parity of 105.42 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median butchers and meat cutters salary is worth about $46,376 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do butchers and meat cutters get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.