# Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers

> Use hands or hand tools to perform routine cutting and trimming of meat, poultry, and seafood.
- **Entity Type:** role
- **Schema Version:** role.v1
- **Soc Code:** 51-3022.00
- **Summary:** Use hands or hand tools to perform routine cutting and trimming of meat, poultry, and seafood.

## Aliases

- Deboner
- Meat Cutter
- Trimmer
- Wing Scorer
- Beef Trimmer
- Breast Trimmer
- Chicken Cutter
- Fish Processor
- Meat Trimmer
- Seafood Processor
- Abalone Processor
- Animal Eviscerator

## Tasks

| Text | Type | Iwa |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Use knives, cleavers, meat saws, bandsaws, or other equipment to perform meat cutting and trimming. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.c |
| Weigh meats and tag containers for weight and contents. | Core | 4.A.1.b.1.a |
| Process primal parts into cuts that are ready for retail use. | Supplemental | 4.A.3.a.2.c |
| Inspect meat products for defects, bruises or blemishes and remove them along with any excess fat. | Core | 4.A.1.b.2.f |
| Cut and trim meat to prepare for packing. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.c |
| Separate meats and byproducts into specified containers and seal containers. | Core | 4.A.2.a.2.b |
| Prepare ready-to-heat foods by filleting meat or fish or cutting it into bite-sized pieces, preparing and adding vegetables or applying sauces or breading. | Supplemental | 4.A.3.a.2.c |
| Clean, trim, slice, and section carcasses for future processing. | Supplemental | 4.A.3.a.2.c |
| Remove parts, such as skin, feathers, scales or bones, from carcass. | Supplemental | 4.A.3.a.2.ac |
| Obtain and distribute specified meat or carcass. | Supplemental | 4.A.4.c.3.c |
| Produce hamburger meat and meat trimmings. | Supplemental | 4.A.3.a.2.c |
| Clean and salt hides. | Supplemental | 4.A.3.a.2.ac |

## Emerging Tasks

| Text |
| --- |
| Clean meat cutting equipment. |

## Activities

| Name | Iwa |
| --- | --- |
| Cut meat products. | 4.A.3.a.2.c |
| Process animal carcasses. | 4.A.3.a.2.ac |
| Inspect food products. | 4.A.1.b.2.f |
| Prepare meat products for sale or consumption. | 4.A.3.a.2.c |
| Distribute supplies to workers. | 4.A.4.c.3.c |
| Sort materials or products for processing, storing, shipping, or grading. | 4.A.2.a.2.b |
| Mark products, workpieces, or equipment with identifying information. | 4.A.1.b.1.a |
| Weigh finished products. | 4.A.1.b.3.a |

## Capabilities

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Production and Processing | knowledge | 4.03 |
| Food Production | knowledge | 4 |
| Public Safety and Security | knowledge | 3.6 |
| Mathematics | knowledge | 3.56 |
| Administration and Management | knowledge | 3.38 |
| Arm-Hand Steadiness | ability | 3.38 |
| Mechanical | knowledge | 3.28 |
| Personnel and Human Resources | knowledge | 3.27 |
| Transportation | knowledge | 3.26 |
| Control Precision | ability | 3.25 |
| Near Vision | ability | 3.25 |
| Education and Training | knowledge | 3.13 |
| Active Listening | essential_skill | 3.12 |
| Oral Expression | ability | 3.12 |
| Selective Attention | ability | 3.12 |
| Manual Dexterity | ability | 3.12 |
| Trunk Strength | ability | 3.12 |
| Speaking | essential_skill | 3 |
| Critical Thinking | essential_skill | 3 |
| Monitoring | essential_skill | 3 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | transferable_skill | 3 |
| Oral Comprehension | ability | 3 |
| Problem Sensitivity | ability | 3 |
| Information Ordering | ability | 3 |
| Visualization | ability | 3 |
| Finger Dexterity | ability | 3 |
| Multilimb Coordination | ability | 3 |
| Speech Recognition | ability | 3 |
| Speech Clarity | ability | 3 |
| English Language | knowledge | 2.97 |
| Customer and Personal Service | knowledge | 2.9 |
| Social Perceptiveness | transferable_skill | 2.88 |
| Coordination | transferable_skill | 2.88 |
| Time Management | transferable_skill | 2.88 |
| Reaction Time | ability | 2.88 |
| Far Vision | ability | 2.88 |
| Chemistry | knowledge | 2.87 |
| Administrative | knowledge | 2.86 |
| Sales and Marketing | knowledge | 2.79 |
| Economics and Accounting | knowledge | 2.76 |

## Skills

| Name | Type |
| --- | --- |
| Mathematics | Common Skill |
| Active Listening | Common Skill |
| Visualization | Specialized Skill |
| Speech Recognition | Specialized Skill |
| Microsoft Excel | Common Skill |
| Information Ordering | Specialized Skill |
| Finger Dexterity | Common Skill |
| Critical Thinking | Common Skill |
| English Language | Common Skill |
| Time Management | Common Skill |
| Social Perceptiveness | Common Skill |
| Chemistry | Specialized Skill |
| Inductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Deductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Instructing | Specialized Skill |
| Biology | Specialized Skill |
| Depth Perception | Common Skill |
| Reading Comprehension | Common Skill |
| Complex Problem Solving | Common Skill |
| Active Learning | Common Skill |
| Foreign Language | Common Skill |
| Negotiation | Common Skill |
| Learning Strategies | Specialized Skill |
| Telecommunications | Specialized Skill |
| Psychology | Specialized Skill |
| Writing | Common Skill |
| Equipment Selection | Specialized Skill |
| Geography | Specialized Skill |
| Physics | Specialized Skill |
| Equipment Maintenance | Specialized Skill |
| Systems Analysis | Specialized Skill |
| Installation | Specialized Skill |

## Tools

| Example | Category | Hot | In Demand |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Microsoft Excel | Spreadsheet software | yes | no |
| Web browser software | Internet browser software | no | yes |
| Meat inventory software | Inventory management software | no | no |
| Sales software | Point of sale POS software | no | no |

## Work Context

| Name | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Spend Time Standing | 5 |
| Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions | 4.76 |
| Indoors, Environmentally Controlled | 4.75 |
| Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets | 4.72 |
| Frequency of Decision Making | 4.64 |
| Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls | 4.63 |
| Time Pressure | 4.59 |
| Importance of Being Exact or Accurate | 4.51 |
| Physical Proximity | 4.38 |
| Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team | 4.31 |
| Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures | 4.27 |
| Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment | 4.22 |
| Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People | 4.01 |
| Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body | 3.87 |
| Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities | 3.86 |
| Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams | 3.82 |
| Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers | 3.69 |
| Consequence of Error | 3.61 |
| Importance of Repeating Same Tasks | 3.52 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Equipment | 3.49 |
| Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results | 3.46 |
| Deal With External Customers or the Public in General | 3.43 |
| Level of Competition | 3.42 |
| Telephone Conversations | 3.04 |
| Conflict Situations | 3.03 |
| Health and Safety of Other Workers | 2.97 |
| Spend Time Walking or Running | 2.93 |
| Degree of Automation | 2.89 |
| Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals | 2.88 |
| Contact With Others | 2.85 |
| Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable | 2.71 |
| Written Letters and Memos | 2.66 |
| Freedom to Make Decisions | 2.6 |
| Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection | 2.56 |
| Exposed to Contaminants | 2.55 |
| In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment | 2.47 |
| Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions | 2.45 |
| Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings | 2.35 |
| Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions | 2.29 |
| Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions | 2.15 |

## Preparation

- **Job Zone:** 2
- **Job Zone Name:** Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- **Education:** Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- **Experience:** Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- **Svp Range:** (Below 6.0)

### Education Distribution

| Label | Percentage |
| --- | --- |
| High School Diploma | 36.26 |
| Doctoral Degree | 1.3 |

## Person Fit

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Realistic | career_interest_type | 7 |
| Physical/Manual Labor | specific_interest_area | 6.07 |
| Conventional | career_interest_type | 3.92 |
| Dependability | work_style | 2.16 |
| Culinary Art | specific_interest_area | 2 |
| Attention to Detail | work_style | 2 |
| Investigative | career_interest_type | 1.77 |
| Agriculture | specific_interest_area | 1.64 |
| Cautiousness | work_style | 1.59 |
| Enterprising | career_interest_type | 1.42 |
| Social | career_interest_type | 1.37 |
| Transportation/Machine Operation | specific_interest_area | 1.3 |
| Mechanics/Electronics | specific_interest_area | 1.26 |
| Mathematics/Statistics | specific_interest_area | 1.26 |
| Human Resources | specific_interest_area | 1.25 |
| Life Science | specific_interest_area | 1.23 |

## Related Roles

| Soc Code | Slug | Title | Tier |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 51-3023.00 | role-51-3023-00 | Slaughterers and Meat Packers | Primary-Short |
| 45-2041.00 | role-45-2041-00 | Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products | Primary-Short |
| 51-3021.00 | role-51-3021-00 | Butchers and Meat Cutters | Primary-Short |
| 53-7064.00 | role-53-7064-00 | Packers and Packagers, Hand | Primary-Short |
| 45-2093.00 | role-45-2093-00 | Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals | Primary-Short |
| 51-3091.00 | role-51-3091-00 | Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders | Primary-Long |
| 51-9111.00 | role-51-9111-00 | Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | Primary-Long |
| 51-3092.00 | role-51-3092-00 | Food Batchmakers | Primary-Long |
| 51-9032.00 | role-51-9032-00 | Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | Primary-Long |
| 53-7063.00 | role-53-7063-00 | Machine Feeders and Offbearers | Primary-Long |
| 51-9031.00 | role-51-9031-00 | Cutters and Trimmers, Hand | Supplemental |
| 51-3093.00 | role-51-3093-00 | Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders | Supplemental |

## Career Clusters

| Cluster | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| Agriculture | agriculture |

## Education Level

- **Category:** No formal educational credential

## Study Programs


## Market

- **Median Wage:** 37700
- **Mean Wage:** 38640
- **Pct10Wage:** 29200
- **Pct25Wage:** 34050
- **Pct75Wage:** 43450
- **Pct90Wage:** 48680
- **Employment:** 141090
- **Area Title:** U.S.

## Industries


### Top

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Median Wage | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 31-33 | 31-33 | Manufacturing | Sector | 110850 | 38170 | 9.49 |
| 44-45 | 44-45 | Retail Trade | Sector | 17010 | 36390 | 1.19 |
| 42 | 42 | Wholesale Trade | Sector | 7210 | 39110 | 1.31 |
| 56 | 56 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | Sector | 5720 | 34870 | 0.69 |
| 561320 | 561320 | Temporary Help Services | National industry | 4540 | 33470 | 1.87 |
| 72 | 72 | Accommodation and Food Services | Sector | 130 | 32250 | 0.01 |
| 48-49 | 48-49 | Transportation and Warehousing | Sector |  | 37960 |  |
| 722511 | 722511 | Full-Service Restaurants | National industry |  | 32250 |  |

### Concentrated

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 31-33 | 31-33 | Manufacturing | Sector | 110850 | 9.49 |
| 561320 | 561320 | Temporary Help Services | National industry | 4540 | 1.87 |
| 42 | 42 | Wholesale Trade | Sector | 7210 | 1.31 |
| 44-45 | 44-45 | Retail Trade | Sector | 17010 | 1.19 |
| 56 | 56 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | Sector | 5720 | 0.69 |
| 72 | 72 | Accommodation and Food Services | Sector | 130 | 0.01 |
- **Count:** 8

## Ai Signals

| Source | Label | Score | Scale | Release |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| frey_osborne | Computerization probability | 0.94 | 0-1 probability | 2013-baseline-2016-employment-snapshot |
| felten_aioe | AI occupational exposure | -1.10563 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_image_generation_aioe | Image generation occupational exposure | -1.208184 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_language_modeling_aioe | Language modeling occupational exposure | -1.0259 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |

## Ai Outlook


### Index

- **Value:** 26
- **Percentile:** 24
- **Band:** Low
- **Version:** ai-exposure-index-v1

#### Components

| Percentile | Source |
| --- | --- |
| 14 | felten_aioe |
| 3 | openai_gpts_are_gpts |
| 61 | microsoft_working_with_ai |
- **Component Count:** 3

### Exposure

| Source | Label | Value | Percentile | Band | Note |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| felten_aioe | Overall AI exposure (Felten et al.) | -1.10563 | 14 | Low | How much this job's abilities overlap with what AI systems can do, across many AI capabilities. A relative research score, not a forecast of job loss. |
| eloundou_gamma | LLM task exposure, γ (OpenAI / Eloundou) | 0 | 3 | Low | Share of this job's tasks where a large language model plus simple tools could cut the time to do them by at least half. γ is capped at 1.0 and many jobs reach that ceiling, so treat a top score as 'in the top group', not a precise rank. |
| microsoft_applicability | AI assistant applicability (Microsoft) | 0.1769994252897913 | 61 | Moderate | How applicable today's AI assistants are to this job's activities, measured from real Microsoft Copilot conversations. Applicability is not the same as replacement. |

### Frey Historical

- **Source:** frey
- **Label:** Computerization probability (Frey & Osborne, 2013)
- **Value:** 0.94
- **Percentile:** 86
- **Band:** High
- **Note:** A pre-LLM (2013) estimate of how automatable this job is by computerization and robotics. Shown for historical context only — it is not part of any current AI ranking.
- **Teleworkable:** no

### Eloundou

- **Alpha:** 0
- **Beta:** 0
- **Gamma:** 0

### Usage Tasks


### Bls

- **Growth Percent:** 5.5
- **Growth Percentile:** 77
- **Direction:** About average
- **Annual Openings Thousands:** 18.4
- **Annual Openings Percentile:** 76
- **Employment2024Thousands:** 146.8
- **Employment2034Thousands:** 154.9

### Sources

| Source | Version |
| --- | --- |
| bls_employment_projections | 2024-2034 |
| dingel_neiman | dingel-neiman-workathome |
| felten_aioe | felten-raj-seamans-aioe |
| frey_osborne | frey-osborne-automation |
| microsoft_working_with_ai | working-with-ai |
| openai_gpts_are_gpts | gpts-are-gpts |

## Counts

- **Tasks:** 12
- **Skills:** 32
- **Capabilities:** 120
- **Tools:** 4
- **Related Roles:** 20

## Source

- **Dataset:** gold.onet_role_starter_surface
- **Version:** 30.3
- **Generated At:** 2026-06-02T21:00:32.945303+00:00
- **Content Hash:** 9f3effeba038bdf2