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Meat Cutter Apprentice Jobs in Philadelphia, PA (NOW HIRING)

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Meat Cutter Apprentice information

See Philadelphia, PA salary details

$9

$18

$30

How much do meat cutter apprentice jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for meat cutter apprentice in Philadelphia, PA is $18.06, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.53 and $19.42 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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The most popular types of Meat Cutter jobs in Philadelphia, PA are:

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Cities near Philadelphia, PA with the most Meat Cutter Apprentice job openings:

Meat Cutter Apprentice jobs near you
Infographic showing various Meat Cutter Apprentice job openings in Philadelphia, PA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 64% Full Time, 34% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $37,572 per year, or $18.1 per hour.

Meat Cutter Apprentice Full Time

BJ's Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc.

Warrington, PA • On-site

$16.75/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 10 days ago

BJ's Wholesale Club rating

6.0

Company rating: 6.0 out of 10

Based on 761 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

349th of 419 rated retail wholesalers

Job description

A World-Class Team
BJ's Wholesale Club is powered by more than 30,000 team members who make a real impact every day. Whether you're stocking shelves, solving problems or shaping strategy, your work helps families save on what matters most.
We're a team built on purpose and opportunity. Join us and be part of something meaningful.
Why You'll Love Working at BJ's
At BJ's Wholesale Club, our team members are at the heart of everything we do. That's why we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, well-being and future - both on and off the job. When you grow, we grow.
Here's just some of what you can look forward to:
  • Weekly Pay: Get paid every week so that you can manage your money on your terms.
  • Free BJ's Memberships: Enjoy a complimentary The Club Card Membership, plus a free Supplemental Membership for someone in your household.*
  • Generous Paid Time Off: Take the time you need with vacation, personal, sick days, holidays, bereavement, and jury duty leave.*
  • Flexible and Affordable Health Benefits: Choose from three medical plans, and access optional dental, vision, Health Savings Account (HSA), and flexible spending account options to fit your lifestyle.*
  • 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan: Build your financial future with a company match (available to team members 18 and older).*
  • Employee Stock Purchase Plan: Accumulate funds through after-tax payroll deductions that can be used to purchase shares of BJ's common stock at a 15% discount.*

*Eligibility requirements vary by position.
Receives, rotates, cuts, wraps, and merchandises fresh and processed meats, including grinds. Assists in merchandising seafood, rotisserie chickens, prepared foods, and cheeses. Assists in meat selection and cuts special meat arrangements for Members. Maintains all cleaning and safety standards within the meat department. Serves as a 6-month apprenticeship to prepare Team Members for the Meat Cutter role
Major Tasks, Responsibilities, and Key Accountabilities
  • Provides assistance to Members by answering questions regarding meat, poultry, and seafood. Makes recommendations on food products when necessary.
  • Cuts, grinds, and/or processes fresh meats. Weighs, packages, wraps, and labels cuts of meat, poultry, and seafood. Prepares special cuts of meat ordered by Members.
  • Makes sure the meat case showcases all currently available products.
  • Ensures the meat, seafood, prepared foods, and cheese cases are fully stocked. Rotates meats, poultry, seafood, prepared foods, and cheeses according to expiration dates. Follows established guidelines when disposing of damaged and/or expired products
  • Inspects and stores meat upon delivery. Ensures that all received meats meet or exceed company quality standards.
  • Receives and unpacks meat, poultry, seafood, prepared foods, and cheeses in the meat cooler and freezer.
  • Cleans and sanitizes all equipment, display fixtures, and areas in the meat department, including the meat cooler, freezer, and refrigerated display cases.
  • Maintains all club policies and procedures.
  • Performs other duties as assigned, including working in other departments as needed.

Qualifications
  • Previous experience working with fresh and processed meats preferred.
  • Knowledge of automatic/hand wrapping machines preferred.
  • Prior experience working in a meat and/or deli department preferred.
  • At least 18 years of age.

Environmental Job Conditions
  • Most of the time is spent moving about frequently on hard surfaces. There may be a need to occasionally position oneself to examine or scan merchandise, including bending, handling, pulling, reaching, and/or stooping.
  • Frequently requires lifting objects up to 30 pounds. May require lifting and moving heavy and/or awkward objects more than 30 pounds with assistance.
  • Located in a comfortable indoor area with infrequent exposure to temperature extremes and loud noises. There may be occasional exposure to cleaning agents.

In accordance with the Pay Transparency requirements, the following represents a good faith estimate of the compensation range for this position. At BJ's Wholesale Club, we carefully consider a wide range of non-discriminatory factors when determining salary. Actual salaries will vary depending on factors including but not limited to location, education, experience, and qualifications. The pay range for this position is starting from $16.75.
We recognize the growing role of AI tools, including ChatGPT, and value familiarity with them. That said, we want to hear from your authentic self. Your application should reflect your own skills, experiences, and insights rather than AI-generated responses.

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