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Chicken Slaughter Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Chicken Slaughter information

See California salary details

$8

$18

$26

How much do chicken slaughter jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for chicken slaughter in California is $18.72, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.67 and $20.87 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a chicken slaughter worker?

Chicken slaughter workers are employees in poultry processing plants who are responsible for the humane killing, cleaning, and processing of chickens for consumption. Their duties typically include handling live birds, operating machinery used in slaughtering, defeathering, and eviscerating chickens, and ensuring the final product meets health and safety standards. This work requires attention to detail, physical stamina, and adherence to strict hygiene protocols. Workers must also follow animal welfare guidelines to ensure ethical treatment throughout the process.

What are some common challenges faced by workers in a chicken slaughter role, and how are they addressed by employers?

Workers in chicken slaughter roles often face challenges such as repetitive motions, exposure to cold or wet environments, and maintaining speed while adhering to strict safety and hygiene standards. Employers typically address these issues by providing proper personal protective equipment, regular safety training, and rotating tasks to reduce physical strain. Additionally, many facilities offer ergonomic tools and conduct routine health and safety checks to ensure a safer working environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a chicken slaughter worker, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Chicken Slaughter Worker, you need physical stamina, attention to hygiene, and knowledge of basic meat processing practices, often acquired through on-the-job training. Familiarity with industrial cutting tools, safety gear, and adherence to food safety regulations such as those outlined by OSHA and USDA is crucial. Strong attention to detail, teamwork, and the ability to remain calm under pressure are valuable soft skills in this environment. These skills ensure worker safety, compliance with food safety standards, and efficient processing in a fast-paced setting.

What is the difference between Chicken Slaughter vs Poultry Processing Worker?

AspectChicken SlaughterPoultry Processing Worker
CertificationsNone typically requiredNone typically required
Work EnvironmentProcessing plants, cold and fast-pacedProcessing plants, similar environment
Job DutiesSlaughtering chickens, eviscerationProcessing, packaging, and quality control
Industry UsageSpecific to slaughtering stageBroader processing tasks

Chicken Slaughter focuses on the initial slaughtering process of chickens, while Poultry Processing Worker involves a broader range of tasks including processing, packaging, and quality checks. Both roles are essential in poultry production and share similar work environments, but they differ in specific duties and scope.

What are popular job titles related to Chicken Slaughter jobs in California?

For Chicken Slaughter jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Chicken Slaughter jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Chicken Slaughter jobs in California are:

Infographic showing various Chicken Slaughter job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 60% Full Time, and 40% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $38,933 per year, or $18.7 per hour.

Scientist, Analytical R&D (6 month fixed-term) Scientist, Analytical R&D (6 month fixed-term) M[...]

Seeds Renewables

Emeryville, CA • On-site

$120 - $145/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Posted 23 days ago


Job description

Scientist, Analytical R&D (6 month fixed-term)

Memphis Meats In-person · Emeryville, CA, US 2 days ago

Job Description

Based in Berkeley, CA, UPSIDE Foods grows meat, poultry, and seafood directly from real animal cells. These products are not vegan or vegetarian—they are delicious meat, made without the need to raise and slaughter billions of animals. In doing so, the company aims to address some of the most pressing environmental, animal welfare, and public health challenges, while still giving people the meat they love.

Founded as the world’s first cultivated meat company in 2015, UPSIDE Foods (formerly Memphis Meats) has achieved numerous industry-defining milestones, including being the first company to produce multiple species of meat (beef, chicken, and duck) and to sell a cultivated meat product in the United States. The company believes that people shouldn’t have to choose between the foods they love and a thriving planet, and is working to build a better food system with access to delicious, humane, and sustainable meat, poultry, and seafood.

UPSIDE Foods has won various industry awards, including the New York Times’ Good Tech Awards, FastCo’s Next Big Thing in Tech and World Changing Ideas Awards, and the Best and Brightest Companies to Work For in the Nation by the National Association for Business Resources. UPSIDE Foods has raised more than $600 million in funding from a diverse group of leading U.S. and global investors, including top-tier venture capital firms, sovereign investment funds, strategic food and agriculture partners, and prominent technology and sustainability investors.

About this job

UPSIDE Foods is seeking an innovative, enthusiastic, and experienced Scientist, Analytical R&D (6 month fixed-term) to join our Analytical Research and Development (ARD) team in support of Lucius Labs and Upside Foods. In this role, you will be responsible for the end-to-end development, optimization, validation, and tech transfer of high-impact analytical assays necessary for routine operations.

This is a fast‑paced, laboratory‑based role requiring strong method development expertise in liquid chromatography‑mass spectrometry (LC‑MS), spectroscopy, and rapid bioanalytical assays.

Responsibilities include
  • Execute and optimize sample preparation, method development, validation studies, data analysis and reporting to expand our assay portfolio with a focus on high‑throughput.
  • Onboard and validate new bioanalytical assays.
  • Onboard, oversee, and maintain analytical instrumentation.
  • Document all laboratory activities and write standard operating procedures for new and updated methods.
  • Train junior team members to execute the assays for routine analysis.
  • Survey literature to understand current state‑of‑the‑art scientific technologies and practices and make recommendations for instrumentation, methods, and workflows to achieve analytical objectives.
  • Serve as a subject matter expert for analytical chemistry topics to assist in collaborative problem solving.
About you
  • Education & Experience: Ph.D. in Chemistry (preferably with a focus on Analytical and/or Food Chemistry) or related field or M.S. with 4+ years of industry experience specializing in rapid method development and validation.
  • Mass Spectrometry Expertise: Deep hands‑on experience with LC‑MS instrumentation and sample handling, including developing robust multi‑analyte gradients.
  • Spectroscopy & Bioassay Experience: Proven experience building spectral libraries with FTIR and/or Raman instrumentation, overcoming matrix inhibition/enhancement is highly preferred.
  • Matrix Familiarity: Strong background working with complex matrices, cell culture media, or food/biomass matrices. Experience working with micro‑sampling or small‑volume extractions is a plus.
  • Collaboration: Strong communication skills with a track record of successfully executing tech transfers and training laboratory personnel.
Who you’ll work with
  • Primary Team: You will report to and work closely with the Analytical Research & Development (ARD) team.
  • Cross‑Functional Partners: Collaborate heavily with permanent staff at Lucius Labs, as well as raw materials, cell culture media, upstream development and production teams.
Key contributions
  • Bioanalytical assay method development incorporating LC‑MS/MS and FTIR
  • Design and execute experiments for quantitative analytical testing.
  • Mentor junior team members

Compensation Range: $120,000-$145,000

*Pay may vary depending on factors including job‑related knowledge and skills.

UPSIDE Benefits!
  • Stock options for all full-time incoming team members!
  • 83‑100% employer‑paid healthcare premiums for team members (medical, dental, and vision)
  • Pet insurance for your furry family members!
  • Unlimited PTO
  • Employee Engagement Council
  • Company‑sponsored learning & development opportunities

UPSIDE Foods is an equal opportunity employer and we value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. Our company‑wide mission is to create a product for everyone, so we are deeply committed to having teams and leaders that reflect this mission.

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