Meat cutters cut animal carcasses into pieces of meat for sale to consumers.

Most butchers and meat cutters work in retail stores, such as grocery stores. They sometimes work for wholesale companies that supply meat to restaurants. Most meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers work in food manufacturing plants. Because of this difference in work setting, the nature of their jobs varies a great deal.

Butchers and meat cutters

Butchers separate wholesale cuts of meat into retail cuts or small servings using slicers and power cutters. They cut meat into steaks and chops, and shape and tie roasts. Butchers in retail food stores may weigh, wrap, and label various cuts of meat. They also arrange meat in display cases. Some butchers prepare special cuts for customers. In addition, butchers may estimate meat requirements, and order more meat when it is needed.

Meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers

In meatpacking plants, meat cutters slaughter cattle, hogs, goats, and sheep. They use knives, cleavers, meat saws, and band saws to cut the carcasses into large wholesale cuts, such as rounds, ribs, and chucks. These large cuts can then be distributed to wholesale companies. In some plants, meat cutters process meat into cuts for retail use. These workers also grind hamburger meat and cut off meat trimmings, which are used to make sausage and other products. Meat cutters usually work on assembly lines. Each worker is responsible for only a few cuts as the meat moves along the production line.

Poultry cutters slaughter and cut up chickens, turkeys, and other types of poultry. They often work on assembly lines. The poultry processing industry is becoming increasingly automated, but workers still do many jobs by hand. For example, they remove bones, trim fat, and pack poultry.

Fish cutters cut, scale, and dress fish by removing the head, scales, and other parts people do not eat. Fish cutters work in both manufacturing and retail establishments. In retail markets, they may wait on customers and clean fish to order.