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Meat Processor Jobs in Lexington, KY (NOW HIRING)

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Sous Chef

Danville, KY · On-site

$42K - $48K/yr

  • PTO

... meat shop and production kitchen on Main Street in Danville -- part of a vertically integrated ... processed in. Between our retail market, catering, prepared meal, hospital meals, and our high ...

Early morning Bakery Team Member

Richmond, KY · On-site

$9.75 - $13/hr

Meat, Seafood, Bakery, Deli, Grocery. What skills will you use? * You are detail-oriented and ... Process-driven with ability to follow procedures in an organized and efficient way. * Ability to ...

Early morning Bakery Team Member

Richmond, KY · On-site

$11 - $14.75/hr

Meat, Seafood, Bakery, Deli, Grocery. What skills will you use? * You are detail-oriented and ... Process-driven with ability to follow procedures in an organized and efficient way. * Ability to ...

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Meat Processor information

See Lexington, KY salary details

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$15

$21

How much do meat processor jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for meat processor in Lexington, KY is $15.67, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.86 and $15.29 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Meat Processor, you need knowledge of meat cutting techniques, food safety standards, and basic math skills, often supported by a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with meat processing machinery, cutting tools, and adherence to USDA or HACCP guidelines is typically required. Attention to detail, physical stamina, and teamwork are important soft skills for excelling in this role. These abilities ensure product quality, workplace safety, and efficient operations in a fast-paced food production environment.

What is a meat processor?

A meat processor prepares meat for packaging. As a meat processor, your duties revolve around cleaning, grinding, and packaging meat. You are also responsible for sorting meat and labeling packages. To perform this job, you do not need formal education, but you must complete on-the-job training. You can find these positions at grocery stores, meat packing plants, and animal slaughterhouses. Meat processors usually stand for long periods using heavy equipment, so you must have excellent physical stamina to complete your job safely. Similar job titles include meat production worker and meat packer.

What are some common challenges faced by meat processors, and how can they be addressed on the job?

Meat processors often face challenges such as working in cold environments, maintaining strict hygiene standards, and performing repetitive tasks that can lead to fatigue. Addressing these challenges involves wearing appropriate protective clothing, adhering to sanitation protocols, and utilizing ergonomic equipment to reduce strain. Teamwork and good communication with supervisors are also essential to ensure safety and efficiency, as well as to quickly address any issues that arise during production.

How much do meat processors make?

Meat processors typically earn an average hourly wage of around $12 to $16, with annual salaries ranging from approximately $25,000 to $35,000. Wages can vary based on experience, location, and whether the worker is certified to operate specific equipment or handle specialized tasks.

What is the difference between Meat Processor vs Butcher?

AspectMeat ProcessorButcher
CertificationsFood safety, HACCPNone required, but some may have food handling
Work EnvironmentProcessing plants, industrial settingsRetail stores, butcher shops, markets
Employer & Industry UsageMeat processing companies, food manufacturingButcher shops, grocery stores, restaurants
Job FocusProcessing, cutting, packaging meat in bulkCustom cutting, customer service, retail sales

While both roles involve working with meat, a Meat Processor primarily focuses on bulk processing, cutting, and packaging in industrial settings, often requiring food safety certifications. A Butcher typically works in retail environments, preparing meat for customers and providing personalized service. Understanding these differences helps job seekers find the right role based on their skills and career goals.

What are popular job titles related to Meat Processor jobs in Lexington, KY?

For Meat Processor jobs in Lexington, KY, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Meat Processor jobs in Lexington, KY look for?

The top searched job categories for Meat Processor jobs in Lexington, KY are:

Infographic showing various Meat Processor job openings in Lexington, KY as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 63% Full Time, and 37% Part Time. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $32,592 per year, or $15.7 per hour.

Sous Chef

Dry Branch Farm Market

Danville, KY • On-site

$42K - $48K/yr

Full-time

PTO

Posted 10 days ago

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Job description

Experienced Cook/Sous Chef

Sous Chef — Dry Branch Farm Market

Danville, KY |  Full-Time  |  Mon–Fri, 8am–4/5pm

Dry Branch Farm Market is a meat shop and production kitchen on Main Street in Danville — part of a vertically integrated operation raising beef, pork, lamb, and poultry in Boyle and Mercer Counties. At the core of our work is a belief that real food has a story, one that starts at the farm and ends up on someone's table. Our kitchen is a place where that story becomes a delicious, take-home experience.

We're currently looking for a full-time Sous Chef to support our Executive Chef — executing her vision with precision, managing daily production flow, and leading the kitchen with confidence when she's not there. This is a role for someone who finds meaning in the craft itself: in a stock made from bones, a menu that shifts with the season, and in food that actually means something to the people eating it.

What makes this kitchen different:

For someone who has given enough nights and weekends to the industry, this is something rare. An opportunity to work daytime hours in a professional kitchen Monday through Friday, doing serious work with exceptional local ingredients. No corporate menus. No frozen product. Just real food, made well.

What you'll be doing:

Executing daily production across a rotating scratch menu — fresh dips, salads, wraps, take-and-bake family meals, stocks, tallow, and more. Managing kitchen flow and maintaining standards when chef is off-site. Contributing to catering and select weekend events throughout the year.

What we're looking for:

●      Proven experience in a fast-paced, scratch-cooking environment with frequent menu changes

●      Someone who leads by doing — steady, grounded, and takes pride in the work itself

●      Low ego, high standards — collaborative by nature, not by obligation

●      A genuine connection to real food, local sourcing, and what this kind of operation stands for

Compensation & Schedule:

●      Commensurate with experience — we value what skilled, seasoned cooks bring to the table and pay accordingly

●      Compensation is based upon experience,

●      Mon–Fri, 8am–4/5pm (open to language surrounding this)

●      Full-time

●      Catering and select weekend event shifts as necessary


Company Description

Dry Branch is a very unique, completely vertical operation. Not only do we raise all of the beef, pork, and poultry we sell, but we also own the USDA slaughterhouse everything is processed in. Between our retail market, catering, prepared meal, hospital meals, and our high-volume concessions business, we are proud to say we are a no waste operation, utilizing every part of the animal. Our businesses are growing at an incredible rate, all working together, by design. The potential for growth and advancement is there for the right candidate willing to put in the work.