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Butcher Meat Cutter Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

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Butcher Meat Cutter information

See Iowa salary details

$9

$16

$22

How much do butcher meat cutter jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 18, 2026, the average hourly pay for butcher meat cutter in Iowa is $16.35, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.75 and $18.27 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a butcher meat cutter do?

A butcher meat cutter is responsible for preparing, cutting, trimming, and packaging various types of meat for sale or consumption. They use knives, saws, and other tools to portion meat according to customer specifications or store requirements. Butcher meat cutters also ensure that meat products are stored and handled safely, maintain cleanliness in their work area, and may assist customers with selecting and preparing different cuts of meat.

What is the difference between Butcher Meat Cutter vs Meat Processing Technician?

AspectButcher Meat CutterMeat Processing Technician
CredentialsHigh school diploma, on-the-job training, food safety certificationsHigh school diploma, food safety certifications, specialized training
Work EnvironmentButcher shops, grocery stores, meat marketsMeat processing plants, slaughterhouses, processing facilities
Industry UsageRetail and wholesale meat salesMeat processing and packaging
Job FocusCutting, trimming, and preparing meat for saleProcessing, grinding, and preparing meat products

The main difference between a Butcher Meat Cutter and a Meat Processing Technician lies in their work environment and focus. Butcher Meat Cutters primarily work in retail settings, preparing meat for sale, while Meat Processing Technicians work in processing plants, handling larger-scale meat processing tasks. Both roles require food safety certifications and involve meat handling, but their daily tasks and work settings differ significantly.

What are the typical challenges faced by a Butcher Meat Cutter, and how can they be managed effectively?

Butcher Meat Cutters often face challenges such as maintaining strict food safety standards, working efficiently during busy hours, and handling physically demanding tasks like lifting heavy pieces of meat. Effective time management and attention to cleanliness are crucial to prevent contamination and meet customer expectations. Many butchers find that developing strong knife skills and staying organized in the workspace help them work safely and efficiently. Team collaboration is also essential, as butchers typically coordinate with other staff to ensure smooth operations and timely product availability.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Butcher Meat Cutter, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Butcher Meat Cutter, you need strong knife skills, knowledge of meat cuts, food safety understanding, and often a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with meat processing equipment, scales, and safety certifications like ServSafe is typically required. Attention to detail, physical stamina, and customer service skills help you stand out in this role. These abilities are vital for ensuring quality products, workplace safety, and excellent customer satisfaction in meat processing and retail environments.
What are popular job titles related to Butcher Meat Cutter jobs in Iowa? For Butcher Meat Cutter jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Butcher Meat Cutter jobs in Iowa look for? The top searched job categories for Butcher Meat Cutter jobs in Iowa are:
Butcher Meat Cutter jobs near you
Infographic showing various Butcher Meat Cutter job openings in Iowa as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 66% Full Time, 33% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $34,002 per year, or $16.3 per hour.
Retail Meat Service Specialist

Retail Meat Service Specialist

FARMERS CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY

Sioux Center, IA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 16 days ago

Job description

Overall Job Function:

At Member’s Cut, our Meat Specialists are the face of quality and service. This role blends expert-level meat cutting with outstanding customer interaction and a passion for creating premium, specialty products. You’ll play a key role in delivering a top-tier meat experience—helping customers find exactly what they need while crafting high-quality cuts and ready-to-cook items that set Member’s Cut apart.

Essential Job Functions:

Customer Experience

Deliver exceptional, personalized service to every customer

Provide expert guidance on meat selection, specialty cuts, and cooking techniques

Fulfill custom orders with precision and attention to detail

Build strong relationships with customers to create a loyal Member’s Cut following

Promote featured items, bundles, and seasonal specialties

Meat Cutting & Preparation

Cut, trim, and portion beef, pork, poultry, and other meats to company standards

Prepare custom and specialty cuts based on customer requests

Ensure all products meet high standards for quality, freshness, and presentation

Accurately package, label, and price all items

Specialty Meat Production

Create signature Member’s Cut value-added products, including:
  • House-made brats and sausages
  • Marinated and seasoned meats
  • Stuffed cuts and ready-to-cook items
  • Custom bundles and grill-ready selections

Contribute ideas for new products and seasonal offerings that enhance the Member’s Cut brand

Merchandising & Operations

Maintain clean, full, and visually appealing meat displays

Rotate product to ensure freshness and minimize shrink

Assist with inventory management and communicate product needs

Keep work areas, tools, and cases clean and organized

Food Safety & Quality

Follow all food safety, sanitation, and handling procedures

Maintain compliance with company policies and regulatory standards

Ensure a safe work environment for team members and customers

Qualifications:

Experience in meat cutting, butchery, or food service preferred (training available for the right candidate)

Knowledge of meat cuts and preparation techniques is a plus

Strong customer service and communication skills

Ability to safely operate meat department equipment

Detail-oriented with a commitment to quality and consistency

Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment

Work Requirements:

This position will work indoors where conditions can be cold, wet, humid or hot conditions. Equipment utilized will be knives, slicers, sausage stuffers, band saws, smokehouse, curing machines, etc. The employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes, and airborne particles. The noise level is usually moderate but occasionally may be loud. PPE will be provided and must be utilized when applicable and according to safety standards. Typical working hours are between 7:00 am to 7:00 pm Monday through Friday and Saturday 10:00 am until 3:00 pm but will flex based on customer and organizational demand.

While performing job functions the employee will be required to talk and listen most of the time. The employee will spend frequent intervals moving and standing for long periods of time, while also needing to reach, bend, twist, crawl, crouch, stoop or kneel. The employee will need to be able to lift up to 75 pounds occasionally and 50 pounds frequently. The physicality of this job is high.

*FCS job descriptions are a representation of a job requirements knowledge, skills, and abilities. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.