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Meat Processing Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Prestage

Harvest Supervisor

Eagle Grove, IA · On-site

Minimum of three (3) years of harvest or meat processing production experience. * Previous supervisory or leadership experience preferred. * Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be ...

Aerotek

Production Associate

Davenport, IA · On-site

$19/hr

General Production Worker (2nd Shift) 3:30pm-12:00am $19/hr This entry-level general production role supports multiple functions within a meat-processing facility. The position focuses on general ...

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Meat Processing information

See Iowa salary details

$4

$17

$23

How much do meat processing jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for meat processing in Iowa is $17.14, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.25 and $16.73 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How to become a meat processing worker?

To become a meat processing worker, individuals typically need a high school diploma or equivalent and may undergo on-the-job training to learn safety procedures and processing techniques. Some positions require knowledge of food safety standards and the use of specialized equipment; certifications in food safety or sanitation can improve job prospects.

What is the difference between Meat Processing vs Butcher?

AspectMeat ProcessingButcher
CredentialsFood safety certifications, HACCP trainingMeat cutting certifications, food safety knowledge
Work EnvironmentProcessing plants, industrial settingsButcher shops, grocery stores, markets
Industry UsageLarge-scale meat production and packagingRetail meat cutting and customer service

Meat Processing involves large-scale production, focusing on processing, packaging, and safety standards, often in industrial settings. Butchers primarily work in retail environments, cutting and preparing meat for customers. Both roles require food safety knowledge, but Meat Processing emphasizes production processes, while Butchers focus on customer service and meat preparation.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in meat processing, and why are they important?

To thrive in meat processing, you need a solid understanding of food safety, proper handling techniques, and basic butchery skills, often supported by a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with cutting tools, meat grinders, packaging machines, and compliance with HACCP or other food safety certifications is typically required. Attention to detail, manual dexterity, and the ability to work efficiently in a team are valuable soft skills for this role. These skills and qualities are important to ensure product quality, safety, and efficiency in a fast-paced processing environment.

What is meat processing?

Meat processing refers to the series of steps involved in converting raw animal carcasses into consumable meat products. This process can include slaughtering, cutting, deboning, grinding, curing, smoking, packaging, and labeling. Meat processors must follow strict food safety regulations to ensure the final products are safe for consumption. The industry produces a wide range of products, including fresh cuts, sausages, deli meats, and ready-to-eat foods. Meat processing plays a crucial role in making meat products accessible and convenient for consumers.

What are some common challenges faced by meat processing workers, and how can they be addressed?

Meat processing workers often encounter challenges such as repetitive motions, physically demanding tasks, and exposure to cold environments. Adhering to proper safety protocols, using ergonomic tools, and taking regular breaks can help prevent injuries and fatigue. Additionally, many facilities provide training on safe handling techniques and encourage teamwork to ensure tasks are completed efficiently and safely. Open communication with supervisors about any concerns is also important for maintaining a safe and productive work environment.
What are popular job titles related to Meat Processing jobs in Iowa? For Meat Processing jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Meat Processing jobs in Iowa look for? The top searched job categories for Meat Processing jobs in Iowa are:
What cities in Iowa are hiring for Meat Processing jobs? Cities in Iowa with the most Meat Processing job openings:
Meat Processing jobs near you
Infographic showing various Meat Processing job openings in Iowa as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 65% Full Time, 34% Part Time, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $35,643 per year, or $17.1 per hour.

Production Worker (Cut Floor & Packaging)

FARMERS UNION INDUSTRIES LLC

Estherville, IA • On-site

$20.50/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 17 days ago

Job description

NOW OFFERING A $1,500 SIGN-ON BONUS (Paid in Increments Throughout First Year of Employment)

*Spanish Translation Available Below / Traducción al Español Disponible Más Abajo*

Farmers Union Industries, LLC, also known as FUI, is a leading agricultural-based manufacturing company headquartered in Redwood Falls, MN. Our current operations include Central Bi-Products, Northland Choice, Midwest Grease, Artex Manufacturing, Redwood Farms Meat Processors, and Performance Pet Products. Please visit our website at fuillc.com to learn more!

Redwood Farms Meat Processors, located in Estherville, IA, processes hogs of varying sizes allowing us to offer a variety of cuts and cut sizes. Learn more about what we do at fuillc.com/redwood-farms/.

We offer an hourly starting wage of $20.50/Hr., a weekly paycheck, and opportunities to increase your pay as you learn more skills! Our complete benefits package includes health, dental, vision, PTO, paid holidays, an impressive 401K match, and much more!

Areas of Accountability 

All areas of accountability to be delivered with GRIT - our values of Generosity, Relationships, Integrity, and Teamwork

Specialize in cutting/trimming meat or in the packaging of final products; cross-train and perform duties of either department, as requested. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Cut Floor Specialties:

Cut, debone, trim, and remove undesirable materials from product using knives and hooks; sharpen, maintain, and sanitize knives, as required

Prepare and adjust product to flow correctly into the laser cutter and/or other sorting and processing equipment

Understand daily production objectives and create products to specifications and customer needs

Packaging Floor Specialties:

Fold and prepare cardboard boxes for product storage and/or shipping; inform Shipping if more boxes are needed from storage

Complete final product inspection: use a knife or scissors to remove undesirable materials missed in previous steps, as needed

Monitor cut floor processes and collect product from the end of the production lines, as needed

Safely operate all packaging equipment including vacuum and box sealers; manually wrap product with plastic, as needed

Weigh packed boxes and edit and print product labels according to specifications

Palletize, organize, and stage product until the Shipping Department can collect, store, and/or ship

Communicate with USDA Inspectors regarding product inspection and approval, as needed

Observe production equipment and escalate any concerns or malfunctions to Plant Maintenance

Keep leadership aware of any concerns or issues that arise

Follow all company safety policies, practices, procedures, and improvement initiatives

Comply with all regulatory compliance requirements including environmental and food safety

Perform general housekeeping to maintain a clean and safe work environment

Maintain regular and predictable on-site attendance

Situations may arise that require employees to temporarily or permanently assume responsibility for tasks not specifically outlined in this job description. Employees may be requested to work additional hours and/or accommodate a heavier than normal workload. 

Qualifications

Experience in a manufacturing environment, preferred; food manufacturing/hog processing experience, a plus

Ability to safely use a knife to cut meat; prior knife experience, preferred

Strong attention to detail and desire for high-quality products

Ability to memorize desired product appearance and visually determine where cuts should be made to meet product standards

Ability to accurately count, complete basic math operations, and read a scale to understand weights

Ability to communicate and accurately and legibly record information

Read and comprehend signs, labels, warnings, and company SOPs in English or Spanish

Ability to follow all USDA policies, procedures, and regulations

Wear all required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and work safely

Ability to pass in-house Pallet Jack Certification and operate equipment safely

Understanding and operate basic computer technology

Ability to work in a facility that processes hogs; be comfortable working with and/or around blood

Willingness to work additional hours or perform work in other areas of the facility, as requested

Must be 18 years of age or older for insurance purposes

Physical Requirements

Consistently and repetitively perform hand and/or wrist movements

Consistently lift heavy objects up to 50 pounds; frequently lift heavy objects up to 100 pounds while in Packaging 

Consistently push and/or pull up to 50 pounds

Consistently bend at the knees and/or waist in potentially awkward positions

Consistently turn and/or twist

Frequently climb ladders or steps up to 10 feet; frequently perform duties on an elevated surface

Stand up to 100% of the workday

Ability to work in an environment with extreme cold, wet/slippery conditions, and/or loud noise levels

Spanish Translation/Traducción al Espanol

AHORA OFRECEMOS UN BONO DE BIENVENIDA DE $1,500 (Pagado en cuotas durante el primer año de empleo)

Farmers Union Industries, LLC, también conocida como FUI, es una empresa líder en manufactura agrícola con sede en Redwood Falls, Minnesota. Nuestras operaciones actuales incluyen Central Bi-Products, Northland Choice, Midwest Grease, Artex Manufacturing, Redwood Farms Meat Processors y Performance Pet Products. ¡Visite nuestro sitio web fuillc.com para obtener más información!

Redwood Farms Meat Processors, ubicada en Estherville, Iowa, procesa cerdos de diferentes tamaños, lo que nos permite ofrecer una variedad de cortes y tamaños. Conozca más sobre lo que hacemos en fuillc.com/redwood-farms/.

Ofrecemos un salario inicial de $20.21 por hora, un sueldo semanal y oportunidades para aumentar su salario a medida que adquiere más habilidades. Nuestro paquete completo de beneficios incluye seguro médico, dental, de la vista, tiempo libre remunerado (PTO), días festivos pagados, una importante contribución al 401K y mucho más.

Áreas de Responsabilidad

Todas las áreas de responsabilidad se deben cumplir con GRIT: nuestros valores de Generosidad, Relaciones, Integridad y Trabajo en Equipo.

Especializarse en el corte/recorte de carne o en el empaquetado de productos finales; capacitarse en diversas áreas y realizar las tareas de cualquiera de los departamentos, según se solicite.

Deberes y Responsabilidades Esenciales

Especialidades del departamento de corte:

Cortar, deshuesar, recortar y eliminar materiales indeseables del producto con cuchillos y ganchos; afilar, mantener y desinfectar los cuchillos, según sea necesario

Preparar y ajustar el producto para que fluya correctamente hacia la cortadora láser u otros equipos de clasificación y procesamiento

Comprender los objetivos diarios de producción para crear productos según las especificaciones y las necesidades del cliente

Especialidades del departamento de empaque:

Doblar y preparar cajas de cartón para el almacenamiento o envío de productos; informar al departamento de envíos si se necesitan más cajas del almacén

Inspeccionar el producto final: usar un cuchillo o tijeras para retirar los materiales no deseados que se hayan pasado por alto en los pasos anteriores, según sea necesario

Supervisar los procesos de corte y recolectar el producto al final de las líneas de producción, según sea necesario

Operar con seguridad todos los equipos de empaque, incluyendo las selladoras al vacío y de cajas; envolver manualmente el producto con plástico, según sea necesario

Pesar las cajas empacadas y editar e imprimir las etiquetas del producto según las especificaciones

Paletizar, organizar y preparar el producto hasta que el departamento de envíos pueda recolectarlo, almacenarlo o enviarlo

Comunicarse con los inspectores del USDA en relación con la inspección y aprobación de productos, según sea necesario

Observar los equipos de producción y escalar cualquier inquietud o mal funcionamiento al departamento de Mantenimiento de Planta

Mantener al equipo directivo informado sobre cualquier inquietud o problema que surja

Seguir todas las políticas, prácticas, procedimientos e iniciativas de mejora de seguridad de la empresa

Cumplir con todos los requisitos de cumplimiento normativo, incluyendo los de seguridad ambiental y alimentaria

Realizar tareas de limpieza general para mantener un entorno de trabajo limpio y seguro

Mantener una asistencia regular y predecible en el lugar de trabajo

Pueden surgir situaciones que requieran que los empleados asuman temporal o permanentemente la responsabilidad de tareas no descritas específicamente en esta descripción del puesto. Se les puede solicitar a los empleados que trabajen horas adicionales o que se adapten a una carga de trabajo más pesada de lo normal.

Calificaciones

Experiencia en un entorno de fabricación, preferible; experiencia en fabricación de alimentos/procesamiento de cerdos, una ventaja

Habilidad para usar un cuchillo para cortar carne con seguridad; se prefiere experiencia previa con cuchillos

Gran atención al detalle y deseo de productos de alta calidad

Capacidad para memorizar la apariencia deseada del producto y determinar visualmente dónde se deben realizar los cortes para cumplir con los estándares del producto

Capacidad para contar con precisión, realizar operaciones matemáticas básicas y leer una báscula para comprender los pesos

Capacidad para comunicarse y registrar información de forma precisa y legible

Leer y comprender letreros, etiquetas, advertencias y procedimientos operativos estándar (POE) de la empresa en inglés o español

Capacidad para cumplir con todas las políticas, procedimientos y regulaciones del USDA

Usar todo el equipo de protección personal (EPP) requerido y trabajar de forma segura

Capacidad para aprobar la certificación interna de transpaletas y operar el equipo de forma segura

Comprender y operar tecnología informática básica

Capacidad para trabajar en una instalación que procesa cerdos; sentirse cómodo trabajando con sangre o cerca de ella

Disposición a trabajar horas adicionales o realizar trabajos en otras áreas de la instalación, según se solicite

Debe ser mayor de 18 años para fines del seguro

Requisitos Físicos

Realizar movimientos de mano y/o muñeca de forma constante y repetitiva

Levantar objetos pesados de hasta 50 libras de forma constante; levantar frecuentemente objetos pesados de hasta 100 libras mientras está en el empaque

Jalar y/o arrastrar objetos de hasta 50 libras de forma constante

Doblar las rodillas y/o la cintura de forma constante en posiciones potencialmente incómodas

Girar y/o torcer de forma constante

Subir escaleras o escalones de hasta 10 pies metros de altura con frecuencia; realizar tareas con frecuencia en una superficie elevada

Permanecer de pie el 100% de la jornada laboral

Capacidad para trabajar en un entorno con frio extremo, condiciono con calor extremo, condiciones húmedas/resbaladizas y/o niveles de ruido altos

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