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Meat Cutter Apprentice Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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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 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.

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 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 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 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.
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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 (Journeyman)- 1631 Lander Avenue, Turlock, CA 95380

Save Mart Companies

Turlock, CA

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 4 days ago

Save Mart rating

4.3

Company rating: 4.3 out of 10

Based on 116 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

116th of 122 rated grocery stores

Job description

The Journeyman Meat Cutter is responsible for meeting daily production needs and quality standards in meat cutting and preparation of meat. This position receives, stocks, cuts, grinds, wraps, weighs, prices, and attractively merchandises meat department products. This role also orders and stocks prepackaged deli items and frozen food products that pertain to the meat department. The Journeyman Meat Cutter team member packages, prepares trays, weighs items to properly label, rotates product and removes out of code date products and ensure proper inventory control and product rotation to maximize product freshness and availability, while minimizing waste. This role is heavily relied on by customers to do special requests and answer questions about the products and services. This position cuts and trims meat to size for display or as ordered by customer, using hand tools and power equipment, such as grinder, cubing machine, and power saw.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities: 

         Locate appropriate meat portions in the walk-in freezer/refrigerator, removes the individual pieces from their positions, places them on a 4 or 6 wheel cart, and pushed the cart to the cutting room

         Use knives and occasional band saw to prepare specific cuts of meat from larger portions

         Set machine for proper pricing and labeling of the meat to be wrapped

         Arrange packages on display and removes any out of date or damaged packages from display

         Clean and sanitize work areas and equipment. Wash, wipe, and clean tools, equipment, and counters. Sweep and/ or hose floor surfaces

         Operate an electric tow motor to move pallets from the receiving area to storage areas

         Instruct, supervise and direct Apprentice Meat Cutters as required

         Perform other duties as assigned

Some ofour competitive offerings include generous benefits packages (Health, Dental,Vision, Life and AD&D, 401K), tuition reimbursement and scholarshipopportunities, vacation and personal holidays, and in-store purchase discounts.

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