1

Meat Packer Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Meat Cutter

Decherd, TN

$13 - $17.25/hr

Meat Cutter Department: Meat Job Status: Full Time * FLSA Status: Non-Exempt Reports To: Meat Manager Grade/Level: Amount of Travel Required: No travel required Work Schedule: Flexible Positions ...

Meat Cutter

Gallatin, TN · On-site

$14.25 - $19/hr

Meat Job Status: Full Time or Part Time * FLSA Status: Non-Exempt Reports To: Meat Manager Grade/Level: Amount of Travel Required: No travel required Work Schedule: Flexible Positions Supervised:

Meat Cutter

Wartburg, TN · On-site

$13.75 - $18.25/hr

Meat Job Status: Full Time or Part Time * FLSA Status: Non-Exempt Reports To: Meat Manager Grade/Level: Amount of Travel Required: No travel required Work Schedule: Flexible Positions Supervised:

Meat Cutter

Lafayette, TN · On-site

$13.75 - $18.25/hr

Meat Job Status: Full Time or Part Time * FLSA Status: Non-Exempt Reports To: Meat Manager Grade/Level: Amount of Travel Required: No travel required Work Schedule: Flexible Positions Supervised:

Meat Cutter

Lafayette, TN · On-site

$13.75 - $18.25/hr

Meat Job Status: Full Time or Part Time * FLSA Status: Non-Exempt Reports To: Meat Manager Grade/Level: Amount of Travel Required: No travel required Work Schedule: Flexible Positions Supervised:

Meat Cutter

Decherd, TN · On-site

$13 - $17.25/hr

Meat Cutter Department: Meat Job Status: Full Time * FLSA Status: Non-Exempt Reports To: Meat Manager Grade/Level: Amount of Travel Required: No travel required Work Schedule: Flexible Positions ...

MEAT CLERK

Centerville, TN · On-site

$11.25 - $14/hr

Meat Job Status: Part Time FLSA Status: Non-Exempt Reports To: Meat Manager Grade/Level: Amount of Travel Required: No travel required Work Schedule: Flexible Positions Supervised: None POSITION ...

MEAT MANAGER

Johnson City, TN · On-site

$20.50 - $27.25/hr

Meat Manager * Department: Meat * Job Status: Full Time * FLSA Status: Non-Exempt Reports To: Store Manager * Grade/Level: High School or Equivalent Amount of Travel Required: No travel required.

MEAT CLERK

Centerville, TN · On-site

$11.25 - $14/hr

Meat Clerk Department: Meat Job Status: Part Time FLSA Status: Non-Exempt Reports To: Meat Manager Grade/Level: Amount of Travel Required: No travel required Work Schedule: Flexible Positions ...

Meat Cutter

Decherd, TN · On-site

$13 - $17.25/hr

Meat Cutter Department: Meat Job Status: Full Time * FLSA Status: Non-Exempt Reports To: Meat Manager Grade/Level: Amount of Travel Required: No travel required Work Schedule: Flexible Positions ...

MEAT MANAGER

Johnson City, TN · On-site

$20.50 - $27.25/hr

Meat * Job Status: Full Time * FLSA Status: Non-Exempt Reports To: Store Manager * Grade/Level: High School or Equivalent Amount of Travel Required: No travel required. * Work Schedule: Positions ...

MEAT MANAGER

Johnson City, TN · On-site

$20.50 - $27.25/hr

Meat Manager * Department: Meat * Job Status: Full Time * FLSA Status: Non-Exempt Reports To: Store Manager * Grade/Level: High School or Equivalent Amount of Travel Required: No travel required.

Meat Cutter

Clarksville, TN · On-site

$11 - $13/hr

The Meat Cutter's performance and the ability to cut for quality and quantity of product have a significant impact on the guest's dining experience. Top quality meat cutting ensures that the ...

Meat Clerk

Munford, TN · On-site

$12.75 - $15.75/hr

Meat Clerks are responsible for providing outstanding customer service while maintaining a clean, organized, and fully stocked meat department. This position assists with product preparation ...

Meat Cutter

Lafayette, TN · On-site

$13.75 - $18.25/hr

Meat Job Status: Full Time or Part Time * FLSA Status: Non-Exempt Reports To: Meat Manager Grade/Level: Amount of Travel Required: No travel required Work Schedule: Flexible Positions Supervised:

Meat Cutter

Hermitage, TN · On-site

$13.25 - $17.75/hr

The Meat Cutter's performance and the ability to cut for quality and quantity of product have a significant impact on the guest's dining experience. Top quality meat cutting ensures that the ...

Showing results 21-40

Meat Packer information

See Tennessee salary details

$8

$14

$16

How much do meat packer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for meat packer in Tennessee is $14.60, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.94 and $15.72 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a meat packer?

Meat packers are workers responsible for preparing, packaging, and labeling meat products in processing plants or factories. Their duties include cutting, trimming, weighing, and wrapping various types of meat to ensure they are ready for sale or distribution. Meat packers must follow strict food safety and hygiene regulations to maintain product quality and prevent contamination. This job often requires physical stamina and attention to detail due to the repetitive nature of the work and the need to handle sharp tools and machinery.

How much do meat packers get paid?

Meat packers typically earn an average hourly wage of around $13 to $17, with annual salaries ranging from approximately $27,000 to $35,000. Wages can vary based on experience, location, and whether the worker is unionized or has specialized skills such as operating specific equipment.

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

To thrive as a Meat Packer, you need physical stamina, attention to detail, and basic food safety knowledge, often supported by a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with meat processing equipment, conveyor belts, and adherence to USDA or HACCP safety standards is typically required. Good teamwork, reliability, and the ability to follow instructions are important soft skills in this role. These skills ensure efficient production, maintain food safety, and contribute to a safe and productive work environment.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a meat packer, and how does the role interact with other team members?

As a Meat Packer, your daily duties typically include inspecting, weighing, and packaging various cuts of meat according to company standards and safety regulations. You'll operate machinery for sealing and labeling products, ensure cleanliness in your work area, and monitor product quality. Collaboration is important—you'll often coordinate with butchers, quality control inspectors, and shipping staff to ensure orders are filled accurately and efficiently. Good communication and teamwork help maintain workflow and meet production targets in a fast-paced environment.

What do you do as a meat packer?

A meat packer prepares and packages meat products for sale by trimming, weighing, and wrapping them according to specifications. The job often involves operating machinery, maintaining cleanliness, and following safety and sanitation standards in a food processing environment.

What is the difference between Meat Packer vs Butcher?

AspectMeat PackerButcher
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; food safety trainingHigh school diploma; culinary or butchery training preferred
Work EnvironmentFactories, processing plants, cold storageButcher shops, grocery stores, meat markets
Job DutiesPreparing and packaging meat productsCutting, trimming, and preparing meat for sale

While both roles involve working with meat, a Meat Packer primarily focuses on preparing and packaging meat products in processing facilities, whereas a Butcher cuts and prepares meat for retail sale in shops or markets. The skills and certifications overlap somewhat, but their work environments and daily tasks differ significantly.

Is meat packing a hard job?

Meat packing is physically demanding and often involves long hours standing, repetitive motions, and working in cold environments. It requires strength, attention to safety protocols, and sometimes the use of specialized tools or equipment. The job can be challenging but is essential in the meat processing industry.

What are popular job titles related to Meat Packer jobs in Tennessee?

For Meat Packer jobs in Tennessee, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Meat Packer jobs?

Cities in Tennessee with the most Meat Packer job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Meat Packer jobs in TN?

For Meat Packer jobs in TN, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Meat Packer job openings in Tennessee as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Part Time. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $30,373 per year, or $14.6 per hour.

$13 - $17.25/hr

Full-time

Posted 25 days ago


Houchens Food Group rating

4.9

Company rating: 4.9 out of 10

Based on 114 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

109th of 122 rated grocery stores


Job description

Description

HOUCHENS FOOD GROUP, INC.

Meat Cutter

 Department: Meat Job Status: Full Time

  • FLSA Status: Non-Exempt Reports To: Meat Manager

 Grade/Level: Amount of Travel Required: No travel required

 Work Schedule: Flexible Positions Supervised: None

POSITION SUMMARY

Responsible for meat operation including but not limited to preparing, storing, cutting, cleaning, and serving meat.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

  • Monitor food Distribution and ensure that guidelines are followed.
  • Clean and sterilize dishes, kitchen utensils, equipment, and facilities.
  • Maintain coolers, cases and displays by keeping them stocked.

Observe scheduled shift hours as assigned by meat and/or store manager.

  • Give all customers friendly, courteous, and prompt service.
  • Maintain good communication with the meat manager.

Share responsibility for controlling shrink.

Properly record all hours worked. Verify and sign the time ticket report.

Monitor food preparation and serving.

Responsible for assisting in recording and maintaining accurate bookkeeping systems as far as weekly meat purchases and monthly meat purchases.

Assist in maintaining proper record to control shrink through inventory and ordering.

Responsible for assisting in inventorying all products on hand before prepaying a meat order.

Assist Meat Manager in taking a four-week period meat inventory.

Ensure that product is being rotated when received and stocked.

Ensure that all meat coolers and meat cases are running at the proper temperature.

Ensure that proper safety procedures are being used.

Properly clean and maintain meat department, coolers, cases and equipment.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Competency Statement(s)

Accountability - Ability to accept responsibility and account for his/her actions.

Adaptability - Ability to adapt to change in the workplace.

Autonomy - Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

Communication, Oral - Ability to communicate effectively with others using the spoken word.

Creative - Ability to think in such a way as to produce a new concept or idea.

Customer Oriented - Ability to take care of the customers' needs while following company procedures.

Detail Oriented - Ability to pay attention to the minute details of a project or task.

Energetic - Ability to work at a sustained pace and produce quality work.

Enthusiastic - Ability to bring energy to the performance of a task.

Friendly - Ability to exhibit a cheerful demeanor toward others.

Motivation - Ability to inspire oneself and others to reach a goal and/or perform to the best of their ability.

Organized - Possessing the trait of being organized or following a systematic method of performing a task.

Patience - Ability to act calmly under stress and strain, and of not being hasty or impetuous.

Presentation Skills - Ability to effectively present information publicly.

Reliability - The trait of being dependable and trustworthy.

Self-Motivated - Ability to be internally inspired to perform a task to the best of one's ability using his or her own drive or initiative.

Time Management - Ability to utilize the available time to organize and complete work within given deadlines.

Working Under Pressure - Ability to complete assigned tasks under stressful situations.

Education

  • High School Graduate or General Education Degree (GED)

Experience

  • Prior experience necessary

SKILLS & ABILITIES

Computer Skills

  • Basic Skills.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

  • Physical Abilities Lift /Carry
  • Stand F (Frequently) 10 lbs or less F (Frequently)
  • Walk O (Occasionally) 11-20 lbs F (Frequently)
  • Sit O (Occasionally) 21-50 lbs F (Frequently)
  • Handling / Fingering F (Frequently) 51-100 lbs N (Not Applicable)

 Reach Outward F (Frequently) Over 100 lbs N (Not Applicable)

  • Reach Above Shoulder O (Occasionally)
  • Climb N (Not Applicable)
  • Crawl N (Not Applicable)
  • Squat or Kneel N (Not Applicable)
  • Bend O (Occasionally)
  • Push / Pull
  • 12 lbs or less O (Occasionally)
  • 13-25 lbs O (Occasionally)
  • 26-40 lbs O (Occasionally)
  • 41-100 lbs O (Occasionally)
  • N (Not Applicable) Activity is not applicable to this occupation. 
  • O (Occasionally) Occupation requires this activity up to 33% of the time (0 - 2.5+ hrs/day)
  • F (Frequently) Occupation requires this activity from 33% - 66% of the time (2.5 - 5.5+hrs/day)
  • C (Constantly) Occupation requires this activity more than 66% of the time (5.5+ hrs/day)

Prepared by : ____________________________ Date: _______________________________

Approval Signature: ___________________________ Date: ____________________________

Approval: ___________________________________  

Approval: ___________________________________  

The company has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate.

Houchens Food Group is an equal opportunity employer. Hiring decisions are made without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, disability, or pregnancy. Applicants may request accommodations based on religious beliefs, disability, or pregnancy.

Subject to pre-employment background and drug screening.


What Houchens Food Group employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom