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Journeyman Meat Cutter Jobs in Decatur, AL (NOW HIRING)

All JobsJourneyman Meat Cutter JobsJourneyman Meat Cutter Jobs in Decatur, AL

Journeyman Meat Cutter information

See Decatur, AL salary details

$10

$18

$22

How much do journeyman meat cutter jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for journeyman meat cutter in Decatur, AL is $18.46, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.21 and $21.49 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Does a Journeyman Meat Cutter Do?

A journeyman meat cutter is a job within the butcher industry. However, while some people equate the two, a journeyman meat cutter and butcher are not the same. A butcher is well-versed in the entire process of butchering an animal. On the other hand, as a journeyman meat cutter, you usually specialize in cutting a specific area of meat. Your responsibilities in this career include preparing cuts of meat, weighing the cuts, and building the meat staging. You are also responsible for trimming cuts for the customers and packaging meat for butcher shops, markets, or meat processing factories. Additionally, your duties include maintaining inventory. You keep track of the items in the cooler or freezer and unload deliveries of meat products to the facility.

What is top pay for a meat cutter at Costco?

The top pay for a Journeyman Meat Cutter at Costco typically ranges from $25 to $30 per hour, depending on experience and location. Experienced cutters with certifications and strong skills may earn higher wages, especially in regions with higher living costs.

What is a journeyman meat cutter?

A journeyman meat cutter is a skilled worker who has completed an apprenticeship and has demonstrated proficiency in cutting, trimming, and preparing meat products. They typically work in grocery stores, butcher shops, or meat processing plants, using tools like knives and saws, and may require certification or experience to ensure safety and quality standards.

What jobs pay 2000 a day?

Journeyman Meat Cutters typically do not earn $2000 a day; such high daily earnings are usually associated with specialized or high-level roles like surgeons, corporate executives, or certain skilled trades in high-demand industries. Most jobs paying this amount daily require extensive experience, certifications, or ownership of a business, rather than standard employment positions.

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

To thrive as a Journeyman Meat Cutter, you need expertise in meat cutting techniques, portion control, food safety standards, and typically a formal apprenticeship or equivalent experience. Familiarity with industrial meat processing equipment, band saws, grinders, and knowledge of USDA safety regulations is essential. Attention to detail, manual dexterity, strong customer service, and teamwork are standout soft skills in this role. These skills ensure product quality, workplace safety, and excellent service in high-volume retail or production environments.

Who pays the most for meat cutters?

The highest wages for journeyman meat cutters are typically found in large retail chains, specialty butcher shops, and high-volume grocery stores, especially in regions with a high cost of living. Experience, certifications, and skills in meat processing can also influence earning potential, with some locations offering premium pay for skilled cutters working in competitive markets.

What is the difference between Journeyman Meat Cutter vs Butcher?

AspectJourneyman Meat CutterButcher
CredentialsApprenticeship completion, certification often requiredExperience-based, may have formal training or certification
Work EnvironmentSupermarkets, meat processing plants, retail storesButcher shops, grocery stores, meat markets
Industry UsageCommonly used in retail and commercial settingsTraditional term, used interchangeably with meat cutter
Job FocusPreparing, cutting, and packaging meat productsButchering, custom cuts, customer service

Both roles involve meat preparation, but a Journeyman Meat Cutter typically has completed formal training or apprenticeship, working in retail or commercial environments. A Butcher is a more traditional term, often used interchangeably, with similar responsibilities but may emphasize custom cuts and customer interaction.

What are Journeyman Meat Cutters?

Journeyman Meat Cutters are skilled professionals who prepare various cuts of meat for retail sale or further processing. They are trained to break down whole carcasses, trim, debone, and portion meat according to specific standards and customer needs. Journeyman status typically indicates completion of an apprenticeship or formal training, demonstrating proficiency in safety, sanitation, and meat cutting techniques. They may work in grocery stores, butcher shops, or meat processing plants, ensuring quality and consistency in the products they prepare.

What are some common challenges faced by Journeyman Meat Cutters, and how can they be addressed?

Journeyman Meat Cutters often face challenges such as maintaining precision and safety during repetitive tasks, working efficiently to keep up with customer demand, and adapting to different types of meat and cutting techniques. Staying current with food safety regulations and proper sanitation is essential. Building strong communication with team members and butchers helps ensure smooth workflow and high-quality service, while ongoing training and attention to ergonomics can help reduce physical strain and prevent injury.
More about Journeyman Meat Cutter jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Meat Cutter jobs in Decatur, AL? The most popular types of Meat Cutter jobs in Decatur, AL are:
What are popular job titles related to Journeyman Meat Cutter jobs in Decatur, AL? For Journeyman Meat Cutter jobs in Decatur, AL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Journeyman Meat Cutter jobs in Decatur, AL look for? The top searched job categories for Journeyman Meat Cutter jobs in Decatur, AL are:
What cities near Decatur, AL are hiring for Journeyman Meat Cutter jobs? Cities near Decatur, AL with the most Journeyman Meat Cutter job openings:
Journeyman Meat Cutter jobs near you
Infographic showing various Journeyman Meat Cutter job openings in Decatur, AL as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 52% Full Time, and 48% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $38,407 per year, or $18.5 per hour.
Meatcutting Worker

Meatcutting Worker

Defense Commissary Agency

Redstone Arsenal, AL • On-site, Remote

$21.14 - $25.27/hr

Part-time

Posted 23 days ago

Defense Commissary Agency rating

6.7

Company rating: 6.7 out of 10

Based on 35 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

28th of 114 rated grocery stores

Job description

Summary
Serves as the Meatcutting Worker in a Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) location. The primary purpose of this position is to Assist full performance meatcutters by performing the simpler tasks when processing beef, pork, veal, and lamb into retail and ready-to-eat cuts for sale to patrons.
This is an open-continuous announcement with an established initial cut-off date 30 days after the open date of the announcement. Please see the "How You Will Be Evaluated" section for more information.?
Learn more about this agency
Duties
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Position responsibilities include:
  • Assist journeyman meat cutters by performing the simpler tasks when processing beef, pork, veal, and lamb into retail and ready to eat cuts for sale to patrons.
  • Tray, wrap, weigh, and price cuts using automatic or manual wrapping machines.
  • Ensure correct prices by referencing price lists.
  • Replenish stock in display cases and rotates product to ensure wholesomeness.
  • Use, clean, maintain, and sharpens a variety of hand tools and power equipment.
  • Clean and sanitize work area to maintain required standards of cleanliness and sanitation

Read the entire job announcement. Focus on the following sections to understand whether or not you qualify for the position.
  • Duties and Qualifications
  • How to Apply (including a preview of the assessment questionnaire, if applicable)
  • How You Will be Evaluated

Your resume must thoroughly describe how your skills and experiences align to the criteria defined in the Qualifications section of this announcement and it must support your responses to the assessment questionnaire. We do not assume you have the necessary experience to successfully perform in this job regardless of your employment history or academic career.
Requirements
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Conditions of employment
  • Be a U.S. citizen or national. Applicants with a Permanent Resident Card are authorized to live and work in the U.S. but are not eligible for employment in positions requiring U.S. citizenship. If selected, proof of citizenship is required.
  • Meet minimum age requirement. See Additional Information.
  • Males born after 12-31-1959 must be registered with or exempt from Selective Service.
  • Appointment is subject to successful verification of identity and employment eligibility through E-Verify. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, at https://www.e-verify.gov/.
  • Appointment is subject to a favorable suitability or fitness outcome, as determined by a completed background investigation. New federal employees will be fingerprinted.
  • Be able to obtain and maintain clearance eligibility based on the appropriate background investigation.
  • May be subject to a probationary/trial period.
  • Direct deposit of pay is required.
  • Meet the physical requirements identified in the Qualifications section.

Qualifications
You must meet qualifications and requirements by the closing date. Per the OPM Qualification System for Trades and Labor Occupations, how you gained the skill and/or knowledge or the length of time you have spent in this line of work is not as important as what you can do and that you have the required ability or potential to successfully perform the duties of this position. Your resume should show your specific knowledge, skill, and abilities for this position in relation to each of the elements being measured.
Examples of related/qualifying experience:
  • Working in the retail meat department traying, wrapping and weighing meat for sale to patrons.
  • Cutting, trimming and boning meat.
  • Using hand tools and operating powered meat cutting equipment.

You will receive credit for all relevant qualifying experience (paid and unpaid), including volunteer work done through National Service program (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social).
Physical requirements: (1) Continuously walk, stand, bend, stoop, stretch, and reach. (2) Lift up to 50 pounds independently and occasionally over 50 pounds with assistance. You will attest to your ability to perform these physical requirements in the Questionnaire.
As part of the online application process, you will respond to a question designed to evaluate what you can do against what the work requires (job element method). This job has one critical element, called the screen-out element (SOE). The SOE addresses the critical knowledge, skill, and abilities essential to satisfactory job performance. Applicants who clearly fail to meet the lowest acceptable requirement in the SOE are rated ineligible and receive no further consideration. The job elements for this job are:
  • Ability to do the Work of the Position Without More than Normal Supervision

Overtime: Occasional
Bargaining Unit Status: Covered
Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Nonexempt
Obligated Position: No
Those retired under CSRS or FERS considered: No. DoD criteria not met.
Work environment: May be subject to temperature changes based on opening and closing doors, working on loading docks, outside, and in refrigerated rooms. May be exposed to hot or cold weather, damp conditions, or drafty conditions. There is a danger of minor cuts, scrapes, bruises or heat sealer burns.
Telework eligible: No
Remote work eligible: No
Education
You may not use education to qualify for this position.
Additional information
Executive Order 12564 requires a federal workplace to be free of illegal drugs and prohibits the use of illegal drugs both on and off duty by federal employees. As a reminder, marijuana is still classified as an illegal drug by the Federal government and is prohibited for use by Federal employees even if such use is legal in the state where the Federal employee resides and/or works. The Defense Commissary Agency is a Drug-Free Federal Workplace where the use of illegal drugs will not be tolerated and may result in penalties up to and including removal from Federal service
  • Positions will be filled under the DoD Direct Hire Authority (DHA) for Domestic Defense Industrial Base (DIB) Facilities and the Major Range and Test Facilities Base (MRTFB).
  • The salary range at the beginning of this announcement reflects Step 1 of the listed location with the lowest salary to the Step 5 of the listed location with the highest salary.
  • Upon first appointment to a civilian position in the Federal government, you are entitled only to the lowest step (Step 1) of the grade for which selected. The display of a salary range on this announcement does not suggest or convey an entitlement to a higher rate of pay. Refer to the Appropriated Fund Schedules page to find the salary range for a specific location.
  • The minimum age requirement is generally 18 years. Employing those under 18 may be possible under certain circumstances. If under 18 years of age, ensure you provide documentation showing how you are eligible.
  • Applicants with financial difficulty are not automatically removed from consideration.
  • Selectees are required to complete an online onboarding process.
  • Retired military service members cannot be appointed to a Department of Defense (DoD) civilian position within 180 days of their retirement date. 5 United States Code 3326.

The following may result in a rating of ineligible. Ineligible applicants receive no consideration.
  • Submitting an incomplete application package may result in your not being considered for this position. Your resume must reflect that you are either Part-Time with the number of hours listed, Full Time, or 40 hours per week as your work schedule. If you fail to provide this information in your resume, your resume may be considered as incomplete.
  • Submitting encrypted documents or uploading Adobe portfolio documents.
  • Submitting any document that contains a photo or image of you.
  • Including social media links, inappropriate material or content, classified or government sensitive information, or personal information such as age, gender, race, religion, or social security number on your resume.
  • Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or questionnaire responses.
  • Deliberately attempting to falsify your application information, such as copying portions of this announcement into your resume.

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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

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