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

Butcher

Birmingham, MI

$16 - $25.40/hr

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 ...

New

Meat Cutter Apprentice information

See Detroit, MI salary details

$9

$17

$29

How much do meat cutter apprentice jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for meat cutter apprentice in Detroit, MI is $17.72, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.24 and $19.04 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.
What are the most commonly searched types of Meat Cutter jobs in Detroit, MI? The most popular types of Meat Cutter jobs in Detroit, MI are:
What are popular job titles related to Meat Cutter Apprentice jobs in Detroit, MI? For Meat Cutter Apprentice jobs in Detroit, MI, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Meat Cutter Apprentice jobs in Detroit, MI look for? The top searched job categories for Meat Cutter Apprentice jobs in Detroit, MI are:
What cities near Detroit, MI are hiring for Meat Cutter Apprentice jobs? Cities near Detroit, MI with the most Meat Cutter Apprentice job openings:
Infographic showing various Meat Cutter Apprentice job openings in Detroit, MI as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 68% Full Time, and 32% Part Time. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $36,860 per year, or $17.7 per hour.

Meat Cutter - Lead - Lake Orion, MI

Meijer, Inc.

Lake Orion, MI • On-site

$14 - $18.75/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 20 days ago


Meijer rating

6.3

Company rating: 6.3 out of 10

Based on 1,636 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

18th of 39 rated national retailers


Job description

As a family company, we serve people and communities. When you work at Meijer, you're provided with career and community opportunities centered around leadership, personal growth and development. Consider joining our family - take care of your career and your community!

Meijer Rewards

  • Weekly pay

  • Scheduling flexibility

  • Paid parental leave

  • Paid education assistance

  • Team member discount

  • Development programs for advancement and career growth

Please review the job profile below and apply today!

$$$$$$ Start Pay is 18.00/HR or Higher Based On Experience $$$$$$$
Are you someone who thrives on guiding others, setting the tone for excellence, and making a real impact every day? The Meat Cutter Lead role is your opportunity to take that first step into leadership. You'll lead by example-delivering exceptional customer experiences and inspiring your peers to do the same.
Required: Must be an experienced Meat Cutter or Meat Cutter Apprentice.
As an entry-level leader in the Meat Department, you'll support daily operations, guide team members, and help ensure department success. You'll contribute to achieving team goals, maintaining operational standards, and creating a positive, customer-focused environment.
This full-time role offers weekly pay, comprehensive healthcare benefits, a team member discount, and support for continuing education!


What you'll be doing:

  • Engaging peers to provide the best possible shopping experience for our customers including an exceptional checkout experience.
  • Communicating with team members and assigning daily work tasks.
  • Mentoring and coaching other team members to ensure customer service and sales goals are exceeded and the area is maintained to Meijer standards and team members have completed required trainings.
  • Supports training new team members/cross-training high potential talent, providing peer coaching on job responsibilities/standards to positively impact team member productivity.
  • Working with leadership on department schedule writing to focus on team member engagement, improving customer service, store sales and profitability.
  • Ensuring freshness of products by closely monitoring execution of rotation and dating policies.
  • Guiding the team in compliance with food safety standards and regulations and working in a safe manner aligning to 200% accountability.
  • Leading team members to ensure ordering, receiving, stocking, pricing, and product display are completed, where applicable.
  • Actively creating an environment that supports the Meijer culture, including valuing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
  • Operating a register and cash handling when needed.
  • Operating powered equipment, where applicable.
  • Participating in period end inventories, where applicable, to help achieve goals.
  • May be required to act in Lead capacity in other departments throughout the store
  • This job profile is not meant to be all inclusive of the responsibilities of this position. You may perform other duties as assigned or required.

What You Bring with You (Qualifications):

  • Passion for customer service with total engagement that conveys approachability to customers and fellow team members.
  • Initiates interactions with customers and peers.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication
  • Retail or other customer service experience preferred
  • Creative thinking skills
  • Ability to influence others
  • Ability to quickly build rapport and gain customer confidence to create repeat business
  • Ability to lift, carry, push, pull, bend and twist while handling product
  • Experience executing plans
  • Positive influence to create a strong team environment.
  • A commitment to fostering an inclusive environment where all team members and vendors feel valued and supported.

What Meijer employees say

Pay

Benefits

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