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Chicken Slaughter Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Chicken Slaughter information

See Virginia 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 Virginia is $18.80, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.72 and $20.96 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 Virginia?

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

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

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

Temperanceville Plant - Harvest Backup Knife Labor PR03 2nd Shift

Tyson Foods, Inc.

Temperanceville, VA • On-site

$16.50 - $22/hr

Full-time

Posted 9 days ago


Tyson Foods rating

6.3

Company rating: 6.3 out of 10

Based on 553 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

297th of 443 rated food and drinks producers


Job description

Job Details:
Must be willing to obtain knives and guards before work.
Being properly located and ready before the first chicken come through the work area.
Must be willing to ensure that any birds that are miscut or missed by the machine are properly killed if killing machine is not functioning correctly notify supervisor.
Must be willing to keep cadavers under a total of eight (8) birds per shift.
Must be able to hand kill when the killing machine is down.
Must be willing to perform all other duties assigned by supervisor.
Must cooperate and get along well with other team members and supervisors.
Utilizing a knife.
Standing majority of shift.
Must reach out of workstation grasp bird to make cut.
Visually monitor birds for slaughter passing at workstation.
Sever veins of birds missed by machine.
Work inside facility, dust, debris, noise, blood in kill hall, moving objects, wet floor surface, mechanical and electrical hazards.
Use all required PPE.
Applicant must be physically able to perform job tasks (working in dusty and bloody environment)
Good manipulation to hold and use knife to make necessary cuts to birds missed by machine.
Post offer risk assessment will be conducted on the successful bidder and team member must pass animal well being approval before placed in position.
The successful candidate(s) must be willing and able to perform the physical requirements of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.
Rehire criteria is a minimum waiting period of 90 days.
Relocation Assistance Eligible:
No
Work Shift:
2ND SHIFT (United States of America)
Pay Range/Rate:
$17.80
Incentives:
Annual Incentive Plan:
No
Long-Term Incentive Plan:
No
Certain roles at Tyson require background checks. If you are offered a position that requires a background check you will be provided additional documentation to complete once an offer has been extended.
Any listed amounts represent the base pay range. Additional compensation may be available for this position based on various factors such as shift differentials, standby/on-call, overtime, premiums, extra shift incentives, or bonuses. Pay is just one part of Tyson's total compensation package.
Tyson will develop an offer based on a candidate's or team member's relevant skills and capabilities, the market data for the role described in this requisition, internal equity, and other information relevant to the candidate and role.
Hourly Applicants ONLY -You must complete the task after submitting your application to provide additional information to be considered for employment.
The successful candidate(s) must be willing and able to perform the physical requirements of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.
Tyson is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, national origin, color, religion, age, genetics, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or veteran status.
CCPA Notice. If you are a California resident, and would like to learn more about what categories of personal information we collect when you apply for this job, and how we may use that information, please read our CCPA Job Applicant Notice at Collection, click here

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