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Meat Cutter Apprentice Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Super King Market

Meat Cutter Apprentice

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$19 - $21/hr

The Meat Cutter Apprentice will complete the Training Certification course and successfully pass an evaluation within 6- 12 months. The Meat Cutter Apprentice will support the Meat Department by ...

Staff of Life

Meat Cutter

Watsonville, CA · On-site

$16 - $21.25/hr

We are looking for a Meat Cutter with experience, or a hardworking employee interested in being an apprentice to an experienced butcher to grow and learn how to be a Meat Cutter. Job duties include ...

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Meat Cutter Apprentice information

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$9

$17

$29

How much do meat cutter apprentice jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for meat cutter apprentice in California is $17.67, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.19 and $18.99 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Are the Duties of a Meat Cutter Apprentice?

As a meat cutter apprentice, your duties are to assist a butcher with daily tasks in the butcher’s department of a grocery store, restaurant, or specialty shop. Your responsibilities are to weigh each package to ensure customers receive the right orders, prepare the workspace, and confirm that all equipment (such as slicers and knives) are in proper working order. You also check that you have an inventory of butcher’s paper or wrapping for the day.

What is the difference between Meat Cutter Apprentice vs Meat Cutter?

AspectMeat Cutter ApprenticeMeat Cutter
CredentialsOn-the-job training, sometimes certification in food safetyExperience, possibly certification in meat cutting or food safety
Work EnvironmentLearning environment, supervised by experienced cuttersFull responsibility for meat cutting tasks in retail or wholesale settings
Employer UsageEntry-level position in grocery stores or butcher shopsSkilled worker performing meat preparation and cutting

The main difference is that a Meat Cutter Apprentice is in training and gaining skills under supervision, while a Meat Cutter is a trained professional responsible for meat preparation. Apprenticeship focuses on learning, whereas the Meat Cutter role involves independent work and expertise.

What is top pay for a meat cutter at Costco?

The top pay for a meat cutter apprentice at Costco typically ranges from $20 to $25 per hour, depending on experience and location. Experienced meat cutters can earn higher wages, especially with additional skills in butchery and customer service.

What are some common challenges faced by Meat Cutter Apprentices when learning the trade?

As a Meat Cutter Apprentice, one common challenge is mastering knife skills and safely handling sharp equipment, which requires both practice and attention to detail. Apprentices also need to quickly learn different meat cuts and understand proper storage and sanitation procedures to ensure food safety. Adapting to the fast-paced environment of a butcher shop or grocery store, especially during busy hours, can be demanding. However, with hands-on training and guidance from experienced meat cutters, apprentices typically gain confidence and proficiency over time.

What is the highest paying apprenticeship trade?

Among apprenticeship trades, skilled trades such as elevator installers, power plant operators, and nuclear technicians tend to have the highest wages. These roles often require specialized training, certifications, and sometimes longer apprenticeship periods, but they offer higher earning potential compared to other trades like meat cutting apprenticeships.

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

To thrive as a Meat Cutter Apprentice, you need a basic understanding of meat products, knife handling, and food safety, typically supported by a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with meat cutting tools, band saws, grinders, and compliance with food safety standards like HACCP is essential. Attention to detail, manual dexterity, and teamwork are important soft skills in this role. These skills and qualities ensure safe, efficient meat preparation and contribute to customer satisfaction and workplace safety.

What does a meat cutter apprentice do?

A meat cutter apprentice assists experienced butchers by learning to cut, trim, and prepare meat products according to safety and quality standards. They gain skills in using knives, saws, and other tools, often working in a retail or wholesale meat environment under supervision. The role involves understanding meat cuts, sanitation practices, and safety regulations.

What is a Meat Cutter Apprentice?

A Meat Cutter Apprentice is an entry-level worker who is learning the skills necessary to become a professional meat cutter or butcher. Apprentices typically work under the supervision of experienced meat cutters, assisting with tasks such as cutting, trimming, deboning, and packaging meat products. They also learn about food safety regulations, proper tool usage, and customer service. The apprenticeship period provides hands-on training and can last from several months to a few years, depending on the employer and local regulations.

Who pays the most for meat cutters?

The highest wages for meat cutters are typically found in large retail chains, specialty butcher shops, and supermarkets in regions with a high cost of living. Experienced meat cutters with certifications and skills in meat processing often earn higher salaries, especially in areas with strong demand for skilled labor.
More about Meat Cutter Apprentice jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Meat Cutter jobs in California? The most popular types of Meat Cutter jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Meat Cutter Apprentice jobs in California? For Meat Cutter Apprentice jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Meat Cutter Apprentice jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Meat Cutter Apprentice jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Meat Cutter Apprentice jobs? Cities in California with the most Meat Cutter Apprentice job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Meat Cutter Apprentice jobs in CA? For Meat Cutter Apprentice jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Meat Cutter Apprentice jobs near you
Infographic showing various Meat Cutter Apprentice job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 45% Full Time, 53% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $36,746 per year, or $17.7 per hour.
Meat Cutter Apprentice

Meat Cutter Apprentice

Super King Market

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$19 - $21/hr

Full-time

Posted 27 days ago

Job description

JOB SUMMARY:

To deliver great customer service by providing exceptional product knowledge and creating appealing presentation of meat, poultry and seafood while learning the duties of a Meat Cutter. The Meat Cutter Apprentice will complete the Training Certification course and successfully pass an evaluation within 6- 12 months. The Meat Cutter Apprentice will support the Meat Department by maintaining Company standards when cutting, grinding, slicing, processing, wrapping, rotating and merchandising product in addition to performing other tasks as required by management in an efficient and safe manner, within Company policy.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Works safely at all times and follows all established safety guidelines and procedures.
  • Cuts, trims, bones, ties, and grinds meats, such as beef, pork, poultry, and fish, to prepare meat in cooking form.
  • Weigh and price individual meat products for customers upon request.
  • Maintains a service case appearance that is fresh, full and visually appealing.
  • Clean and sanitize work areas and equipment. Wash, wipe, and clean tools, equipment, and counters. Sweep and/ or hose floor surfaces
  • Prepares special cuts of meat ordered by customers.
  • Maintains acceptable in-stock shelf and case conditions.
  • Receives, inspects, and stores meat upon delivery, to ensure meat quality.
  • Follows proper food safety practices.
  • Perform other duties that may be requested or required by Management.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to stand, stoop, bend, lift use hands or fingers to handle and/or feel objects. Position requires the ability to lift / handle varying weights up to 50 lbs. occasionally. Employee must ask another employee for assistance when lifting/ handling anything over 50 pounds or any weight that the employee cannot handle alone.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:

  • Must possess a strong knowledge of safe food handling and demonstrate safe work habits.
  • Ability to stand/walk for the duration of a scheduled shift.
  • Ability to work in varying temperatures.
  • Ability to work with fresh, dried and/or processed products, spices and powdered substances without negative allergic consequences.
  • Ability to tolerate dust and cleaning agents during routine housekeeping duties.
  • Ability to interact with Customers in a friendly and helpful way.
  • Ability to work cooperatively with others.
  • Ability to work all assigned work schedules and comply with all time and attendance policies.
  • Strong motivation.
  • Ability to set priorities, meet deadlines, and accomplish company objectives.
  • Sufficient mathematical proficiency to understand required functions.
  • Ability to perform essential functions, with reasonable accommodation if needed.

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