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Meat Cutter Apprentice Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Food 4 Less

Meat Cutter Apprentice

Greenfield, CA · On-site

$19.10 - $26.50/hr

The Meat Cutter Apprentice is responsible for cutting, trimming, and preparing meat products for display and sale. This role involves ensuring high-quality standards and managing inventory. To ...

Food 4 Less

Meat Cutter Apprentice

Manteca, CA · On-site

$19.10 - $26.50/hr

The Meat Cutter Apprentice is responsible for cutting, trimming, and preparing meat products for display and sale. This role involves ensuring high-quality standards and managing inventory. To ...

Staff of Life

Meat Cutter

Watsonville, CA

$16 - $21.25/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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 Aug 16, 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.

How hard is it to be a meat cutter apprentice?

Becoming a meat cutter apprentice involves learning butchering techniques, safety procedures, and proper handling of tools and meat products. The role requires physical stamina, attention to detail, and the ability to follow safety standards, but with training and experience, skills improve over time. The difficulty varies based on prior experience and the complexity of tasks involved.

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 are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a meat cutter apprentice?

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 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.
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Meat Cutter Apprentice jobs near you
Infographic showing various Meat Cutter Apprentice job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 59% Full Time, 39% Part Time, and 2% Temporary. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $36,746 per year, or $17.7 per hour.

Meat Cutter Apprentice

Food 4 Less

Greenfield, CA • On-site

$19.10 - $26.50/hr

Full-time

Posted 12 days ago

Food 4 Less rating

6.2

Company rating: 6.2 out of 10

Based on 70 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

51st of 122 rated grocery stores

Job description

PAQ, Inc. is committed to building a workplace where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to do their best work. We believe diverse perspectives and experiences strengthen our organization and drive better outcomes for our customers and communities.
Job Summary:
The Meat Cutter Apprentice is responsible for cutting, trimming, and preparing meat products for display and sale. This role involves ensuring high-quality standards and managing inventory. To complete the program, the apprentice must complete all required training and perform meat cutter duties.
Essential Functions of the Position:
  • Cut, trim, or grind to prepare meat products according to customer specifications and store standards.
  • Receive, inspect, properly rotate, and store meat upon delivery.
  • Sharpen knives and adjust cutting equipment.
  • Place fat trimmed off of meat in the proper location based on fat content.
  • Weigh and wrap meat for display at the meat counter.
  • Ensure all meat products are properly labeled, packaged, and displayed.
  • Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work area.
  • Monitor and maintain inventory levels, ordering products as needed.
  • Store meat in refrigerators or freezers at the required temperatures.
  • Train and supervise meat handling and safety procedures.
  • Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.
  • Provide exceptional customer service.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge:
  • Basic knowledge of various meat cuts and preparation techniques.
  • Familiarity with retail stocking procedures and inventory management.
  • Knowledge of health and safety regulations related to food handling.

Skills:
  • Novice use of meat-cutting equipment and knife skills.
  • Basic math skills for weighing and pricing.
  • Strong organizational and time management skills.
  • Effective verbal communication skills for interacting with customers and team members.

Abilities:
  • Attention to detail to ensure accuracy in stocking and labeling.
  • Capability to adjust to changing situations, handle multiple demands, and work with diverse personalities.
  • Aptitude for making informed decisions quickly, often in high-pressure situations.
  • A genuine desire to meet and exceed customer expectations, creating a positive shopping experience.
  • Ability to perform physical tasks, including stocking, lifting boxes, and standing for extended periods.

Physical Requirements:
  • Stand and walk for extended periods, typically 8-hour shifts.
  • Lift and carry items up to 25 pounds frequently and up to 50 pounds occasionally.
  • Perform repetitive motions such as reaching, bending, stooping, squatting, and handling products.
  • Ability to perform tasks that require fine motor skills in handling small objects.
  • Maintain clear communication with customers and team members.
  • Move quickly and efficiently to assist customers and manage workload.
  • Maintain physical stamina to work in a fast-paced environment.

Work Conditions:
  • Work Hours: Vary, with availability required on weekends, evenings, and holidays; typically, 8-hour shifts for full-time employees.
  • Environment: Indoor, climate-controlled, with adequate lighting and ventilation. Relatively damp or humid conditions, including wet or slippery floor surfaces.
  • Primary Work Stations: Work within the grocery store environments, which include various sections such as the sales floor, backrooms, and refrigerated storage areas.
  • Dress Code: Professional and presentable attire as determined by store management, including a name tag, company-issued shirts, hats, jackets, or personal shirts that are black, burgundy, or blue, in good repair, and not faded.
  • Exposure: May be exposed to moving mechanical parts and cleaning chemicals.
  • Noise Level: Usually low to moderate, with occasional loud periods from customers, store announcements, and equipment.
  • Interaction: Constant interaction with customers and team members in a fast-paced retail environment.

Minimum Qualifications:
  • Education: High school diploma or equivalent.
  • Experience: Over three years of meat-cutting experience is preferred.

Company Employment Policies:
  • PAQ, Inc is an "At-Will" employer.
  • PAQ, Inc is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).

Job Title: Meat Cutter Apprentice
Location: PAQ, Inc, Store Location, On-Site
Reports To: Manager, Meat
Employee Type: Regular, Full-Time
Exemption Type: Non-Exempt
Pay Range:
$19.10 - $26.50
Equal Employment Opportunity
PAQ, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Reasonable Accommodation Statement
PAQ, Inc. is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and to applicants throughout the hiring process. If you need an accommodation to complete the application or interview process, please let us know.
Work Authorization
All employment offers are contingent upon verification of authorization to work in the United States in compliance with applicable federal laws.
Pay Transparency (California)
The base pay range for this position is listed above. Actual compensation will be determined based on factors such as qualifications, experience, internal equity, and business need.
Fair Chance Statement (California)
We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the California Fair Chance Act and applicable local ordinances.
Applicant Privacy Notice
To learn more about how we collect, use, and retain applicant personal information, please review our Applicant Privacy Notice at: https://www.paqinc.org/privacyPolicy
Employment-At-Will
Employment with PAQ, Inc. is at will. Either the employee or the Company may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, in accordance with applicable law.
Duties Disclaimer
This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the position. Responsibilities may change or be reassigned at any time based on business needs.

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