Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers Salary in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
The median pay for a meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers in Trenton-Princeton, NJ is $49,140/year ($23.62/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $32K at the entry level to $54K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 103.18), that's roughly $47,626 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,950/month — about 57.5% 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 Trenton-Princeton?
About meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Trenton-Princeton, NJ
Entry-level meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers (10th percentile) start around $32K. Mid-career wages sit at $49K.Top earners bring in $54K or more - a $22K spread from bottom to top.
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nebraska | $48K | +27% | 7,660 |
| Arizona | $47K | +25% | 730 |
| Kansas | $46K | +22% | 4,520 |
| North Dakota | $44K | +17% | N/A |
| Indiana | $44K | +16% | 2,030 |
| South Dakota | $43K | +14% | 2,040 |
| Utah | $43K | +13% | 1,400 |
| Iowa | $43K | +13% | 3,270 |
| Hawaii | $42K | +12% | 880 |
| Missouri | $42K | +12% | 3,900 |
| Minnesota | $40K | +6% | 3,390 |
| Washington | $40K | +5% | 3,570 |
| Michigan | $39K | +5% | 920 |
| Illinois | $39K | +5% | 4,310 |
| Florida | $39K | +4% | 1,870 |
Track meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Trenton-Princeton numbers change.
Related careers in Production & Manufacturing
Frequently asked questions
How much do meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers make in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
The median is $49,140 a year - that works out to about $23.62 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $31,810, and experienced meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers can clear $53,820. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $49K enough to live in Trenton-Princeton?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,358/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,950/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 58.1% 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 meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers salary go in Trenton-Princeton?
Trenton-Princeton has a Regional Price Parity of 103.18 (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 meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers salary is worth about $47,626 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers 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.