Butchers and Meat Cutters pay range in State College
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $28,770 a year or less, while the top 10% make $52,800 or more. The middle half of butchers and meat cutters in State College earn between $33,890 and $43,720.
- $29K10th
- $34K25th
- $39KMedian
- $44K75th
- $53K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $39,280 | $3,273 | $18.88 |
| Median | $39,030 | $3,252 | $18.76 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $33,890 | $2,824 | $16.29 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $43,720 | $3,643 | $21.02 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Butchers and Meat Cutters pay in State College vs. Pennsylvania and the U.S.
Butchers and meat cutters in State College earn 6% less than the Pennsylvania average ($41,780) and 7% less than the U.S. average ($42,380). At the median the gap is -3% against the U.S. median of $40,140.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State College | $39,280 | $39,030 | $28,770 | $52,800 | 30 |
| Pennsylvania | $41,780 | $38,340 | $29,000 | $58,130 | 3,540 |
| United States | $42,380 | $40,140 | $29,460 | $58,110 | 136,430 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Butchers and Meat Cutters salary after taxes in State College
On the average salary of $39,280, a single filer in State College takes home about $32,536 a year, or $2,711 a month and $1,251 every two weeks. Taxes take 17% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
Is State College a good place for butchers and meat cutters? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the State College area are 3% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 96.8), so the average $39,280 buys what about $40,594 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.8 times the median wage of all jobs in State College ($49,220). A typical home costs $353,680, or 9.0 years of this average salary before tax.
Butchers and Meat Cutters salary in other Pennsylvania cities
State College ranks 9th of 13 Pennsylvania metro areas for this job; Allentown pays the most ($45,290).
- Allentown$45,290
- Philadelphia$44,020
- Harrisburg$42,470
- Pittsburgh$42,050
- York$41,860
- Scranton$41,260
- Reading$40,850
- Lancaster$40,690
- State College$39,280
- Erie$39,150
Highest-paying cities for butchers and meat cutters
Fairbanks, AK pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($62,010).
- Fairbanks, AK$62,010
- Seattle, WA$56,640
- Bremerton, WA$55,030
- Anchorage, AK$53,930
- San Jose, CA$53,790
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Butchers and Meat Cutters salary in State College: questions
How much do butchers and meat cutters make an hour in State College?
$18.89 an hour on average, and $18.77 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level butchers and meat cutters salary in State College?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $28,770 a year and the 25th percentile is $33,890, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the butchers and meat cutters take-home pay in State College?
About $32,536 a year ($2,711 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $39,280. Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
Do butchers and meat cutters earn more in State College than elsewhere?
The average here is 7% less than the U.S. average for this job ($42,380).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 51-3021; area State College, PA (44300). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.8%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.52, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.52).
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