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Meat Grader Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

... meat business experience is preferred Relationships Internal: Yield Analyst, Production, and ... Must be able to recognized yield grades * Must be able to occasionally push beef off scale * Must ...

... 2-3 years of meat business experience is preferred Relationships Internal: Yield Analyst ... Must be able to recognized yield grades * Must be able to occasionally push beef off scale * Must ...

BONE AUDITOR

Plainwell, MI · On-site

$55 - $75/hr

... meat business experience is preferred Relationships Internal: Yield Analyst, Production, and ... Mustbe able to recognized yield grades * Must be able to occasionallypush beef off scale * Must be ...

... 2-3 years of meat business experience is preferred Relationships Internal: Yield Analyst ... Must be able to recognized yield grades * Must be able to occasionally push beef off scale * Must ...

FSQ Technician 1st Shift

Taylor, MI · On-site

$17 - $18/hr

Tests and verifies that packaging/meat are correct grade, standard, appearance, chemical/ physical/microbiological compliant and sensory attributes are met. Identifies and acts to prevent ...

Dietary Cook

West Bloomfield, MI · On-site

$17.85 - $23.85/hr

Minimum of tenth grade or above ? * GED or High School Diploma or above preferred Licenses ... meat slicers and commercial mixers. Therefore, individuals must be at least 18 years of age to be ...

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Meat Grader information

See Michigan salary details

$8

$14

$26

How much do meat grader jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for meat grader in Michigan is $14.89, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $10.05 and $17.60 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a meat grader?

Meat graders are professionals responsible for evaluating the quality and safety of meat products in processing plants and slaughterhouses. They inspect meat for factors such as texture, color, marbling, and fat distribution, assigning grades based on established standards. Their assessments help ensure that meat sold to consumers meets quality and safety requirements, and the grades influence pricing and marketability. Meat graders typically work for government agencies or meat processing companies and require training in food safety and inspection procedures.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a meat grader, and why are they important?

To excel as a Meat Grader, you need a solid understanding of meat quality standards, anatomy, and grading procedures, often obtained through on-the-job training or vocational courses. Familiarity with grading tools, inspection equipment, and regulatory systems like USDA grading standards is typically required. Attention to detail, reliability, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for accurately assessing products and working with processing teams. These skills ensure consistent product quality, compliance with regulations, and help maintain consumer trust in the food supply chain.

What are some common challenges faced by meat graders in their daily work?

Meat graders often face challenges such as working in cold environments for extended periods, maintaining concentration while inspecting large volumes of meat, and adhering to strict food safety and quality standards. The role requires keen attention to detail, as even minor inconsistencies can affect grading accuracy. Collaboration with butchers, quality assurance staff, and production teams is essential to ensure that grading aligns with both regulatory requirements and customer expectations.

What is the difference between Meat Grader vs Meat Inspector?

AspectMeat GraderMeat Inspector
CertificationsMeat grading certifications, USDA approvalUSDA certification, food safety training
Work EnvironmentMeat processing plants, grading stationsProcessing plants, regulatory agencies
Employer & Industry UsageMeat packing companies, USDAGovernment agencies, USDA, meat processing facilities

Meat Graders evaluate meat quality based on marbling, color, and texture, assigning grades for sale and processing. Meat Inspectors focus on ensuring meat safety, inspecting for contamination, disease, and compliance with health standards. While both roles work in meat processing environments and require USDA certifications, Meat Graders concentrate on quality grading, whereas Meat Inspectors prioritize safety and regulatory compliance.

How do you become a meat grader?

To become a meat grader, individuals typically need a high school diploma or equivalent and may complete on-the-job training or certification programs in meat grading. Knowledge of meat quality standards, inspection procedures, and the use of grading tools is essential, and some positions require passing a certification exam from a relevant authority.

What are popular job titles related to Meat Grader jobs in Michigan?

For Meat Grader jobs in Michigan, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Meat Grader jobs in Michigan look for?

The top searched job categories for Meat Grader jobs in Michigan are:

Infographic showing various Meat Grader job openings in Michigan as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 65% Full Time, 31% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $30,972 per year, or $14.9 per hour.

BONE AUDITOR

JBS USA

Plainwell, MI • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 21 days ago


Job description

Position Title: Bone Auditor
Purpose & Scope:
The focus of this role is to perform bone yield tests to assess the proper boning techniques of our fabrication processes. This person will be responsible for the collecting of bone material and performing bone tests as it relates to production yields. This person will report to the Yield Analyst and work with the Fabrication Team leaders and associates to provide information and reports to improve performance.
Principle Responsibilities:
• Performing multiple daily bone tests and report on yield performance.
• Provide assistance to Yield Analysts and Production Teams as needed.
• Educate Management and team members on our yield performance and help identify where improvement are needed.
• Take an active role in driving performance improvements.
Working Conditions: 90% Production Floor and 10% Office Environment
Experience: 2-3 years in a production or analyst role or related experience or deemed equivalent experience
Special Skills:
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Knife skills and Wizard Knife operation is a must
• Entry level skills in Excel required
• Self-motivated, with the ability to work independently and ask questions as needed
• 2-3 years of meat business experience is preferred 
Relationships
Internal: Yield Analyst, Production, and Accounting.
  • Must be able to read and write English
  • Must have good mathematical skills
  • Must have above average skills with ten key
  • Must be able to recognized yield grades
  • Must be able to occasionally push beef off scale
  • Must be able to work in an environment with freezing temperatures and slick floors
  • Must be able to work flexible hours including some Saturdays

                                                                                          EOE, INCLUDING DISABILITY/VETS    
 
About JBS
JBS began in 1953 as a small, family-owned company in Brazil. We have continued to steadily grow and are now the largest animal protein processor in the world. Though our business has grown, our family values remain our foundation. We seek to hire dedicated individuals who are committed to learning and share our desire to be the best. At JBS, our team members are our most important asset and feeding the world is our greatest goal. The Plainwell facility began operations in 1918 under the Murray Packing company. In the 1960's, it was acquired by Murco and in 1998 by Packerland. In 2000, Packerland was acquired by Smithfield. In 2010, the facility joined the JBS USA family.
Plainwell is the only JBS plant with Modified Atmospheric Packaging (MAP), a packaging process that changes oxygen levels to extend shelf-life. The MAP process is a part of the Plainwell ground beef operation. Plainwell is also one of the few plants that produces ground beef patties. Over one million lbs (450,000 kg) of beef are produced each day. The Plainwell facility produces biogas in an anaerobic lagoon and uses it in place of natural gas to heat a portion of the water used in the plant. The facility was recognized by the American Meat Institute as a Tier 3 facility for its accomplishments with ISO 14001. Plainwell recently built a $31 million distribution center (85,000 ft²) with a 55,000 box capacity.
Opportunities
Investing in our people is a large part of the reason why success at JBS is so achievable. Working in operations gives you the opportunity to contribute to the very core of our business: producing the highest quality products for families around the globe.  At the JBS operations facilities, we offer career growth opportunities for people with all kinds of interests and backgrounds who are interested in working in a fast-paced, hands-on environment.  Additionally, opportunities for those who enjoy working within the production environment and are excited about both leading a team and ensuring we are producing a top quality, safe product for families across the globe.
 Benefits
JBS® values the people who make our company a success. We want to be sure our team members know just how much we appreciate their dedication by ensuring they love working with us. As part of our total compensation package, JBS® and offers comprehensive employee benefits designed to meet the healthcare and financial goals of our team members and their families today, tomorrow and in the future.