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Meat Cutter Apprentice Jobs in Dearborn, MI (NOW HIRING)

Butcher

Birmingham, MI

$16 - $25.40/hr

  • Medical

  • PTO

Apprentices receive culinary training and develop the art and technique to enrich Whole Foods ... Performs Butcher duties, including but not limited to: cutting, plating, and merchandising meat ...

Meat Cutter Apprentice information

See Dearborn, MI salary details

$9

$16

$27

How much do meat cutter apprentice jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for meat cutter apprentice in Dearborn, MI is $16.45, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.13 and $17.64 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.

What are the most commonly searched types of Meat Cutter jobs in Dearborn, MI?

The most popular types of Meat Cutter jobs in Dearborn, MI are:

What are popular job titles related to Meat Cutter Apprentice jobs in Dearborn, MI?

For Meat Cutter Apprentice jobs in Dearborn, MI, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities near Dearborn, MI are hiring for Meat Cutter Apprentice jobs?

Cities near Dearborn, MI with the most Meat Cutter Apprentice job openings:

Infographic showing various Meat Cutter Apprentice job openings in Dearborn, MI as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $34,207 per year, or $16.4 per hour.

Butcher Apprentice - Full Time

Whole Foods Market

Birmingham, MI

$16 - $25.40/hr

Full-time

Medical, PTO

Posted 11 days ago


Whole Foods Market rating

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Whole Foods Market

Based on 1,459 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

6.1

Company rating compared to similar companies: 6.1 out of 10

Grocery stores average

Based on 50,072 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

The best things about working at Whole Foods Market

  • 97%

    97% say they get paid time off

    say they get paid time off

  • 90%

    90% say their health insurance is affordable

    say their health insurance is affordable

  • 86%

    86% say they have respectful managers

    say they have respectful managers

Featured by Whole Foods Market, based on 1459 Breakroom Quiz responses from their frontline employees


Job description

A career at Whole Foods Market is more than just the work you do- it's about your personal growth and creating meaningful change. Our purpose is to nourish people and the planet. That means improving how people eat, funding grants for school gardens, providing access to fresh and healthy food to people living within food deserts, alleviating poverty in developing countries, and so much more. Working with us means you are making a difference within your community and beyond. We aren't just a grocery store: we're world-changers. And with your help, we will continue to set the standards of excellence and revolutionize the grocery industry.

As a Butcher Apprentice, explore your purpose and enrich your experience at Whole Foods Market by joining a time-honored profession: the art of butchery. You will learn the techniques required for best-in-class cutting, preparation and merchandising of a variety of species. Apprentices receive culinary training and develop the art and technique to enrich Whole Foods Market’s legacy of butchery. The Butcher Apprentice Program creates a path for aspiring butchers to develop a deep understanding of our Quality Standards, animal welfare, food safety, and our commitment to retail excellence. The program is both hands-on and academic. Explore your purpose and enrich your Whole Foods Market experience by developing both art and technique. At Whole Foods Market, we uphold our Core Values and Leadership Principles by providing courteous, friendly, and efficient service to customers and Team Members at all times. All positions must be performed in accordance with team and store Standard Operating Procedures. Further, Team Members must be prepared and able to perform the duties inherent in other Team Member job descriptions. All positions promote national, regional, and store programs and initiatives, and ensure adherence to all applicable health and safety regulations including Food Safety and regulatory duties required in the department.

Job Responsibilities (Will Do)

  • Under the guidance of an experienced Butcher:
    • Performs Butcher duties, including but not limited to: cutting, plating, and merchandising meat products to achieve margin; preparing specialty meat merchandise; checking product to make sure it meets WFM quality standards; maintaining sampling program; maximizing sales potential; monitoring and assisting in preventing spoilage.
    • Provides excellent customer service, addresses customers’ needs in a timely and effective manner, models suggestive selling techniques, answers phones and pages promptly and courteously
    • Follows and complies, or ensures compliance with established procedures, including Food Safety, Weights and Measures, health and sanitation, and safe work practices.
    • Arrives to workstation on time, appropriately groomed, dressed, and ready to work; works all scheduled shifts and attends required training and meetings.
    • Performs opening, mid, and closing duties as assigned; ensures accuracy of signs and pricing

Job Skills (Must Have)

  • Passion for natural foods, animal welfare, and the mission of Whole Foods Market.
  • Strong communication skills, enthusiasm for work, and demonstrated collaborative work ethic.
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with a sense of urgency.
  • Ability to deliver information in a clear and respectful manner in all interactions with customers, supplier partners, and fellow Team Members.
  • Respect for proper knife handling and other cutting equipment safety.
  • Ability to follow directions and procedures; effective time management and organization skills.

 
Additional Position Requirements expected for new Apprentice hires effective 11/1/2024 

  • Minimum of six months of tenure at Whole Foods Market or equivalent prior experience in grocery retail*. 
  • Completion of all assigned operational training. 
  • Must be in good standing and have no active final warnings on file. 

*Exceptions may apply for UK 

Physical Requirements / Working Conditions 

  • Must be able to lift 50 pounds. 
  • In an 8-hour work day: standing/walking 6-8 hours. 
  • Hand use: single grasping, fine manipulation, pushing and pulling. 
  • Work requires the following motions: bending, twisting, squatting and reaching. 
  • Exposure to FDA approved cleaning chemicals. 
  • Exposure to temperatures: <32 degrees Fahrenheit (freezing), 32-40 degrees Fahrenheit (refrigerators), >90 degrees Fahrenheit. 
  • Ability to work in wet and dry conditions. 
  • Ability to work a flexible schedule including nights, weekends, and holidays as needed. 
  • Ability to use tools and equipment, including knives, box cutters, electric pallet jacks, and other heavy machinery. 
  • May require use of ladders. 
The wage range for this position is $16.00-$25.40 Hourly, commensurate with experience. Whole Foods Market offers "Whole Benefits". Whole Benefits offers a wide range of benefits for Full and Part-Time Team Members, including eligibility for a store discount, paid time off, financial wellness, health & wellness support programs, and access to other Team Member perks. Eligibility for Whole Benefits is determined under the terms of the applicable Whole Benefits plan at a person’s date of hire and may vary based on work location, length of service, and job type (such as regular or seasonal). Click here for benefit details.
New entry level Team Members who successfully complete their first 90-days of employment and who remain actively employed in an eligible role, may be eligible for a base rate increase after their 90-day anniversary.
At Whole Foods Market, we provide a fair and equal employment opportunity for all Team Members and candidates regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, marital status, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic. Whole Foods Market hires and promotes individuals solely based on qualifications for the position to be filled and business needs.
Whole Foods Market works with job sites like Indeed, LinkedIn, and ZipRecruiter to promote opportunities at our company. Please be aware that other career sites may not be accurate or up to date and may even be fraudulent. We encourage and recommend all candidates to apply via our site.

Working at Whole Foods Market

Perks for frontline workers

From Whole Foods Market, via Breakroom

  • 20% employee discount

  • Paid time off

  • Flexible scheduling

  • Health insurance with dental & vision

  • Growth opportunities

What to expect from working at Whole Foods Market

From Whole Foods Market

About Whole Foods Market, in their own words

From Whole Foods Market

At Whole Foods Market, we understand that the heart and soul of our organization lies in the remarkable people who make up our team. We're more than a grocer; we're a community of diverse, talented individuals coming together to make a positive impact on the world through food.

Company values

From Whole Foods Market

Our purpose is to nourish people and the planet. We’re a purpose-driven company that aims to set the standards of excellence for food retailers. Quality is a state of mind at Whole Foods Market.

Core Values: (1) We sell the highest quality natural and organic foods (2) We satisfy and delight our customers (3) We promote team member growth and happiness (4) We practice win-win partnerships with our suppliers (5) We create profits and prosperity (6) We care about our community and the environment


What Whole Foods Market employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Whole Foods Market logo

About Whole Foods Market

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Whole Foods Market, Inc., a subsidiary of Amazon, is an American multinational supermarket chain headquartered in Austin, Texas, which sells products free from hydrogenated fats and artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.A USDA Certified Organic grocer in the United States, the chain is popularly known for its organic selections. Whole Foods has 500 stores in North America and seven in the United Kingdom As of March 4, 2019.

Industry

Food and beverage stores and retail

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Austin, TX, US