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Beef Packing Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Production Associate

Detroit, MI · On-site

$18.50 - $20.50/hr

For easiest apply please visit Wolverine Packing's Production Associates work as a team and take pride in creating quality ground beef products. We train our people to build boxes, operate machinery ...

Human Resources Clerk

Liberal, KS · On-site

$17 - $21.50/hr

National Beef of Liberal, Kansas, is seeking to hire a friendly professional to fill our open ... Meat packing plant experience is preferred Must be at least 18 years of age or older. Applicants ...

Line Cook

Wooster, OH · On-site

$13.75 - $17.25/hr

Maintain and run the dish machine and dish sink daily, ensuring the dishes are cleaned thoroughly and stored properly after each function. * Assist in cutting, packing and processing beef, including ...

Line Cook

Wooster, OH · On-site

$13.75 - $17.25/hr

Maintain and run the dish machine and dish sink daily, ensuring the dishes are cleaned thoroughly and stored properly after each function. * Assist in cutting, packing and processing beef, including ...

Line Cook

Wooster, OH

$13.75 - $17.25/hr

Maintain and run the dish machine and dish sink daily, ensuring the dishes are cleaned thoroughly and stored properly after each function. * Assist in cutting, packing and processing beef, including ...

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Beef Packing information

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How much do beef packing jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for beef packing in the United States is $16.11, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.42 and $17.31 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Beef Packing Worker, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Beef Packing Worker, you need physical stamina, attention to detail, and a basic understanding of food safety and hygiene, often supported by a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with processing equipment, safety gear, and possibly certification in food handling or OSHA safety standards is typical. Strong teamwork, reliability, and the ability to follow instructions are crucial soft skills that set outstanding workers apart. These skills ensure efficient, safe, and high-quality meat processing while maintaining rigorous safety and health standards in a fast-paced environment.

What is beef packing?

Beef packing refers to the process of slaughtering cattle, processing the meat, and packaging it for distribution to retailers and consumers. This job typically takes place in large facilities known as beef packing plants, where workers are responsible for tasks such as butchering, cutting, trimming, and preparing beef products for sale. Beef packing is a critical part of the meat supply chain, ensuring that beef is processed safely and efficiently according to health and safety regulations.

What does a beef packer do?

A beef packer is responsible for processing and preparing beef carcasses for sale and distribution. This includes tasks such as cutting, trimming, and packaging meat according to safety and quality standards, often using specialized tools and working in a cold environment. Attention to hygiene, safety protocols, and physical stamina are important in this role.

What are some common challenges faced by workers in beef packing plants, and how can they be addressed?

Workers in beef packing plants often encounter challenges such as physically demanding tasks, repetitive motions, and working in cold environments. Additionally, maintaining strict safety and hygiene standards is critical, which can add pressure to daily routines. To address these challenges, many plants provide thorough training, offer protective gear, and implement job rotation to reduce strain and repetitive injuries. Open communication with supervisors and participation in workplace safety programs can also help employees manage these demands effectively.

How much do meatpackers make?

Meatpackers typically earn an average hourly wage of $14 to $20, which can translate to annual salaries of approximately $30,000 to $40,000 for full-time workers. Wages vary based on experience, location, and the specific employer, with some roles offering overtime and benefits.

What is the difference between Beef Packing vs Butcher?

AspectBeef PackingButcher
CredentialsHigh school diploma, food safety certificationsHigh school diploma, culinary or meat cutting certifications
Work EnvironmentProcessing plants, industrial settingsButcher shops, grocery stores, meat markets
Industry UsageMeat processing, large-scale productionMeat cutting, retail sales

Beef Packing involves large-scale processing in industrial facilities, focusing on slaughtering and meat preparation for distribution. Butchers work in retail or small-scale settings, cutting and preparing meat for customers. Both roles require knowledge of meat handling and safety, but Beef Packing is more industrial, while Butcher work is more customer-facing and skill-based.

Who are the big 4 meatpackers?

The Big Four meatpackers in the beef packing industry are Tyson Foods, JBS, Cargill, and National Beef. These companies dominate the market, often offering employment opportunities in processing plants that require safety training and adherence to industry standards.

Is meat packing a hard job?

Beef packing jobs are physically demanding and often involve long hours standing, repetitive tasks, and working in cold environments. Workers need strength, stamina, and attention to safety protocols, and the job can be mentally and physically challenging due to the fast-paced nature of processing lines.
More about Beef Packing jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Beef Packing jobs? The most popular types of Beef Packing jobs are:
Infographic showing various Beef Packing job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, 19% Part Time, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $33,506 per year, or $16.1 per hour.
Director of Beef Center of Excellence BS4981

Director of Beef Center of Excellence BS4981

Oklahoma State University

Stillwater, OK • On-site

$44K - $60K/yr

Other

Posted 27 days ago


Oklahoma State University rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 63 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

327th of 555 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Director of Beef Center of Excellence BS4981

Apply now Job no: 494508
Work type: Staff Full-time
Location: Stillwater
Categories: Executive/Administrative/Managerial

Campus

OSU-Stillwater

Contact Name & Email

Jane Carpenter, jane.carpenter@okstate.edu

Work Schedule

Monday through Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm with occasional evenings and weekends.

Appointment Length

Regular Continuous/Until Further Notice

Hiring Range

Commensurate with education and experience

Special Instructions to Applicants

For full consideration, please include a resume, cover letter and contact information for three professional references.

About this Position

Oklahoma State University invites applications for the inaugural Director of the Beef Center of Excellence, a newly established virtual center dedicated to advancing cross-disciplinary research, extension, and engagement across the beef cattle industry. The Director will serve as the founding leader of this initiative, building the center from the ground up and positioning OSU as a national hub for beef cattle innovation and collaboration. This is a unique opportunity for a visionary leader with deep ties to the beef industry to shape a program that spans the full supply chain.

Primary Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategic Direction

  • Work with the Beef Center of Excellence advisory board, administration, faculty, and staff to develop overall vision and strategic planning for the Beef Center of Excellence
  • Develop and execute a long-range plan for center growth, programming, and impact
  • Represent the center internally across OSU colleges, OSU Extension, and experiment stations, and externally with industry, government, and academic partners

Stakeholder Engagement

  • Build and sustain relationships with producers, packers, feeders, breed associations, commodity groups, and other stakeholders throughout the beef supply chain
  • Serve as a liaison between the beef industry and OSU's research and extension communities
  • Coordinate and facilitate industry advisory groups, ensuring meaningful industry input into center priorities and programming, and work closely with the Beef Center of Excellence advisory board

Teaching, Research, and Extension Coordination

  • Identify and catalyze cross-disciplinary research opportunities that address critical needs in beef production, sustainability, food safety, economics, and market development
  • Collaborate with faculty across OSU Agriculture to develop coordinated research and extension programming
  • Support the translation of research findings into practical tools, resources, and recommendations for industry audiences through OSU Extension
  • Maintain a cohesive collections of resources that can be deployed to fund impactful and cutting-edge research and outreach  
  • Develop innovative programs and curriculum to train students to be leaders in the beef industry
    Fundraising & Development
  • Lead fundraising efforts for the center, including cultivating donor relationships, pursuing corporate partnerships, and identifying grant opportunities
  • Work closely with the OSU Foundation advancement staff to develop and execute a fundraising strategy aligned with center goals to include endowed chair positions and advisory board membership cultivation
  • Steward existing donors and industry partners to support long-term investment in the center

Communications & Outreach

  • In coordination with the office of communications and marketing in OSU Agriculture, develop a communications strategy that elevates the center's visibility and impact with both industry and academic audiences
  • Represent OSU and the Beef Center of Excellence at regional, national, and international beef industry events and conferences

About the Beef Center of Excellence
The Beef Center of Excellence is a virtual, cross-disciplinary center at Oklahoma State University designed to integrate expertise from across the university and the beef supply chain. The center's mission is to address the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing the beef industry through coordinated research, extension, education, and industry engagement. Oklahoma State University is home to one of the nation's premier animal science programs and has a long tradition of partnership with Oklahoma's beef cattle industry. For more information, visit: https://agdivision.okstate.edu/animal-excellence

There are lots of great reasons to work at OSU, check out our great benefits and eligibility at https://hr.okstate.edu/prospective-ee.html

Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's in animal science, agricultural business, agricultural communications, economics, range science, entomology or a related field
    (degree must be conferred on or before agreed upon start date)
  • Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in the beef industry, agricultural research administration, extension, or a closely related field
       Demonstrated experience in stakeholder engagement, partnership development, or industry relations

Skills, Proficiencies, and/or Knowledge:

  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively across academic, industry, and policy audiences
  • Proven ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives
Preferred Qualifications
  •         Master's or doctoral degree in a relevant field
  •         Experience in fundraising, development, or grant writing
  •         Familiarity with agricultural research and extension programs
  •         Existing relationships within the Oklahoma and national beef industry

Advertised: 17 Jun 2026 Central Daylight Time
Applications close:

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