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Associate Degree Entry Level Careers and Jobs

Explore Careers and Jobs Predominantly Filled by Those with an Associate's Degree or Less, having 1 year or less of work experience - All On One Page

Sorted by median annual U.S. salary, including % with Associate's Degree (or less), and % with 1 year experience (or less).

These entry-level roles are open to associate's degree graduates and offer a practical starting point for building experience and advancing. For recent graduates or career changers seeking their first role with a two-year degree. Compare starting salaries and degree-holder percentages, then access preparation resources built for new graduates.



4 Steps to Use This Page: 1-Explore Careers of Intrerest 2-See Job Listings Matched to Career 3-Prepare for the Career 4-See External Career Resources

Here is a short Helper Video External Link.

This page will take you through 4 steps, relative to an Associate's Degree, to (1) Select an entry-level career, (2) Find active job listings, (3) Prepare for the career you chose, and (4) Provide web resources specific to the career you chose.

Step 1: Select a Career: You will be presented with a listing of Associate's Degree entry-level careers. The list may be quite long. There are two ways you might like to use this list:
1) Filter - As you enter a word, you will filter (limit) the list of careers below
2) Browse the list (Don't Filter) - You can simply browse the list of careers. There may be many that you might never have considered. This may help you to discover entry-level careers that might be of interest.

Once you have identified a career of interest, simply click on it.

Step 2: Find a Job: After you have selected a career/job title above, you will see a form asking for your location. You will see several radio selection choices to utilize the job search site of your choice.



Step 3: Prepare For a Career: In this section you will gain access to detailed information to help you prepare for the career you selected. Information includes core and supplemental duties, general and specific work activities, knowledge required, essential and transferable skills required, day-in-the-life summaries, knowledge required, software skills required, preparation required, educational requirements, training and work experience required, local salary information, certifications, professional associations, current job listings for the job selected along with multiple similar job titles, and related careers (related to what they do, what they know, and what they're called).

Step 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated): Continue to scroll down the page and you will find tabs that will provide detailed (updated) links to occupational information specific to the career you selected. This information includes:
Videos: Provides a listing of video links related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Resumes: Sources for resume materials and techniques. This can help to get you started.
Job Description: Sources that provide job descriptions, which are vital to resume and interview preparation.
Interviews: Provides links that can help you to prepare for and successfully complete the job interview.
Step by Step: Provides links to resources that can help to organize the career search process.
LinkedIn: One of the best professional social media sites that provides links, opportunities, and networking specifically for careers and career development.




Step 1 of 4: Select a Career

Leading Books About Associate Degree Jobs External Link
What entry level jobs can you get with just an Associate's Degree? Scroll through the picklist (below). These are entry level careers (1 year or less work experience) related to the Associate's Degree level, with at least 30% of job holders having an Associate's Degree. - 356 specific careers are listed. Select those careers that may be of interest - you will then get links to matching active job listings, and detailed resources to help you prepare.
You can use this form two ways:
1) Enter a Keyword - As you enter a keyword, you will filter (limit) the listing to those occupations that contain the keyword entered
2) Browse the list (Don't enter a keyword) - You can simply browse the list of occupations. There may be many that you might never have considered. This may help you to discover jobs that might be of interest.

Enter a Keyword (filter the list below)
OR - leave blank and scroll through the choices:


Select a Job Title - Sorted by Annual Salary -(scroll and Select) :
Legend: Career Title Link / (% having Associate's Degree or less) / (% having less than 1 year experience) / (Median Annual U.S. Salary)

Air Traffic Controllers / 78.05% / 54.55% / ($148,080)
Solar Energy Systems Engineers / 40.74% / 32.13% / ($122,930)
Nuclear Monitoring Technicians / 84.15% / 36.76% / ($110,240)
Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers / 99.66% / 38.99% / ($109,910)
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives / 80.58% / 72.47% / ($106,040)
Computer Systems Analysts / 56.64% / 31.42% / ($105,850)
Radiation Therapists / 62.46% / 42.76% / ($105,310)
Solar Sales Representatives and Assessors / 67.01% / 62.53% / ($104,920)
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers / 47.05% / 41.17% / ($104,300)
Video Game Designers / 45.00% / 40.00% / ($104,000)
Nuclear Medicine Technologists / 68.68% / 42.91% / ($101,370)
Dental Hygienists / 75.18% / 69.49% / ($98,100)
Registered Nurses / 42.65% / 37.83% / ($97,550)
Critical Care Nurses / 35.71% / 60.71% / ($97,550)
Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance / 85.70% / 45.00% / ($97,150)
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers / 100.00% / 44.44% / ($96,710)
Postmasters and Mail Superintendents / 86.55% / 44.63% / ($96,660)
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists / 86.96% / 47.82% / ($95,480)
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers / 97.19% / 71.33% / ($95,320)
Police Identification and Records Officers / 75.14% / 39.28% / ($93,790)
Web Developers / 50.01% / 33.33% / ($92,650)
Signal and Track Switch Repairers / 100.00% / 62.23% / ($92,460)
Transportation Vehicle, Equipment and Systems Inspectors, Except Aviation / 100.00% / 32.59% / ($92,100)
Transit and Railroad Police / 65.67% / 55.34% / ($90,230)
First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers / 42.07% / 30.56% / ($87,520)
Subway and Streetcar Operators / 100.00% / 63.96% / ($86,380)
Commercial and Industrial Designers / 32.08% / 32.87% / ($83,910)
Online Merchants / 58.72% / 37.80% / ($83,050)
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists / 57.51% / 56.99% / ($81,390)
Government Property Inspectors and Investigators / 60.66% / 49.63% / ($80,730)
Coroners / 40.00% / 40.00% / ($80,730)
Solar Energy Installation Managers / 93.70% / 75.35% / ($79,920)
Funeral Home Managers / 93.51% / 44.25% / ($78,790)
Roof Bolters, Mining / 100.00% / 97.75% / ($78,540)
Non-Destructive Testing Specialists / 90.91% / 72.73% / ($78,350)
Photonics Technicians / 81.82% / 40.92% / ($78,350)
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters / 100.00% / 80.65% / ($78,000)
First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers / 89.30% / 37.26% / ($77,970)
Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators / 100.00% / 46.65% / ($77,320)
Electrical and Electronics Drafters / 57.47% / 46.57% / ($76,870)
Boilermakers / 100.01% / 55.45% / ($76,410)
Customs and Border Protection Officers / 70.66% / 53.52% / ($76,210)
Terrazzo Workers and Finishers / 100.01% / 63.18% / ($76,170)
Fire Inspectors and Investigators / 95.76% / 36.53% / ($75,920)
Surveyors / 52.63% / 30.00% / ($75,440)
Film and Video Editors / 34.31% / 32.92% / ($75,420)
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film / 93.10% / 69.17% / ($74,990)
Energy Auditors / 75.86% / 31.04% / ($74,690)
Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining / 100.00% / 74.51% / ($74,500)
Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians / 93.42% / 43.17% / ($74,310)
Occupational Therapy Assistants / 96.81% / 82.25% / ($72,300)
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products / 66.12% / 36.34% / ($72,080)
Forensic Science Technicians / 65.60% / 32.02% / ($72,060)
Wellhead Pumpers / 100.00% / 46.56% / ($69,960)
Food Service Managers / 90.26% / 44.19% / ($69,390)
Physical Therapist Assistants / 84.16% / 80.80% / ($68,380)
Crane and Tower Operators / 100.00% / 53.05% / ($68,080)
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas / 91.08% / 43.40% / ($67,890)
Rail Car Repairers / 99.99% / 75.83% / ($67,530)
Transportation Security Screeners / 100.00% / 96.29% / ($66,770)
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School / 32.71% / 31.47% / ($66,270)
Millwrights / 100.00% / 45.47% / ($65,700)
Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers / 84.35% / 40.06% / ($65,380)
Hearing Aid Specialists / 43.26% / 42.87% / ($65,160)
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses / 88.91% / 58.54% / ($64,400)
Wind Turbine Service Technicians / 100.01% / 62.56% / ($64,120)
Tool and Die Makers / 100.00% / 33.04% / ($64,050)
First-Line Supervisors of Gambling Services Workers / 93.54% / 46.15% / ($63,820)
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters / 100.01% / 31.51% / ($63,800)
Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians / 77.54% / 54.49% / ($63,800)
Flight Attendants / 87.65% / 58.72% / ($63,580)
Electricians / 98.70% / 50.15% / ($63,190)
Paralegals and Legal Assistants / 43.47% / 34.43% / ($62,890)
Riggers / 100.00% / 64.67% / ($62,640)
Timing Device Assemblers and Adjusters / 95.84% / 52.32% / ($62,620)
Biofuels Processing Technicians / 100.00% / 71.47% / ($62,470)
Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents / 62.46% / 38.40% / ($62,370)
Quality Control Analysts / 72.10% / 71.31% / ($62,280)
Insurance Sales Agents / 53.10% / 72.73% / ($62,280)
Postal Service Clerks / 100.00% / 56.00% / ($62,130)
Brickmasons and Blockmasons / 99.99% / 37.22% / ($62,120)
Computer User Support Specialists / 48.31% / 32.44% / ($61,860)
Continuous Mining Machine Operators / 100.00% / 48.55% / ($61,810)
Sheet Metal Workers / 100.01% / 62.55% / ($61,800)
Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers / 82.35% / 45.13% / ($61,770)
Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons / 100.00% / 88.40% / ($61,290)
Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers / 100.00% / 81.33% / ($60,600)
Postal Service Mail Carriers / 100.00% / 98.83% / ($60,550)
Chemical Technicians / 56.26% / 47.59% / ($60,390)
Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas / 99.99% / 54.34% / ($60,190)
Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers / 100.00% / 41.35% / ($60,070)
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators / 100.00% / 54.17% / ($60,020)
Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks / 100.01% / 46.62% / ($59,650)
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity / 99.99% / 67.21% / ($59,050)
Correctional Officers and Jailers / 100.00% / 77.83% / ($58,940)
Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders / 98.23% / 50.55% / ($58,870)
Machinists / 100.00% / 38.18% / ($58,750)
Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers / 82.43% / 61.59% / ($58,650)
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers / 99.99% / 38.91% / ($58,640)
Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas / 99.99% / 53.72% / ($58,620)
Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators / 100.01% / 94.65% / ($58,470)
Insulation Workers, Mechanical / 100.01% / 89.76% / ($58,340)
Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors / 81.54% / 30.91% / ($58,170)
Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas / 100.00% / 53.07% / ($58,160)
Bridge and Lock Tenders / 100.00% / 65.00% / ($57,700)
Plasterers and Stucco Masons / 100.00% / 58.97% / ($57,660)
Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians / 100.00% / 40.17% / ($57,550)
Biological Technicians / 31.37% / 52.56% / ($57,510)
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining / 100.00% / 51.60% / ($57,430)
Tire Builders / 99.47% / 76.18% / ($57,390)
Glaziers / 100.01% / 55.76% / ($57,080)
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers / 99.99% / 76.91% / ($57,020)
Airfield Operations Specialists / 49.14% / 50.32% / ($56,850)
Bailiffs / 99.99% / 61.67% / ($56,600)
Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians / 100.00% / 46.96% / ($56,550)
Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles / 99.99% / 52.68% / ($56,460)
Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers / 100.01% / 39.94% / ($56,210)
First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers / 88.58% / 46.75% / ($55,940)
Tile and Stone Setters / 100.00% / 50.34% / ($55,690)
Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators / 64.62% / 42.16% / ($55,490)
Desktop Publishers / 61.30% / 45.93% / ($55,290)
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health / 31.83% / 68.18% / ($55,090)
Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers / 88.76% / 81.80% / ($55,010)
Tax Preparers / 76.20% / 47.61% / ($54,920)
Automotive Body and Related Repairers / 99.99% / 70.29% / ($54,890)
Forest and Conservation Technicians / 85.19% / 50.94% / ($54,560)
Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders / 100.00% / 81.40% / ($54,430)
Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs / 68.62% / 43.38% / ($54,210)
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers / 99.05% / 39.51% / ($53,750)
Engine and Other Machine Assemblers / 92.80% / 59.42% / ($53,710)
Public Safety Telecommunicators / 95.26% / 68.18% / ($53,040)
Camera and Photographic Equipment Repairers / 92.91% / 31.80% / ($52,720)
Audiovisual Equipment Installers and Repairers / 94.78% / 45.81% / ($52,600)
Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers / 84.34% / 32.98% / ($52,540)
Cargo and Freight Agents / 69.25% / 74.53% / ($52,260)
Paperhangers / 100.00% / 49.80% / ($52,140)
Food Science Technicians / 52.50% / 67.10% / ($52,130)
Recreational Vehicle Service Technicians / 100.00% / 48.27% / ($52,000)
Pourers and Casters, Metal / 100.00% / 83.26% / ($51,810)
Semiconductor Processing Technicians / 99.68% / 76.98% / ($51,430)
Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters / 100.00% / 65.72% / ($51,330)
Locksmiths and Safe Repairers / 92.30% / 50.00% / ($51,320)
Animal Breeders / 95.94% / 47.64% / ($51,130)
Proofreaders and Copy Markers / 52.69% / 47.90% / ($51,120)
Home Appliance Repairers / 100.01% / 55.34% / ($50,990)
Tree Trimmers and Pruners / 100.00% / 39.55% / ($50,960)
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators / 96.78% / 49.34% / ($50,690)
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks / 81.29% / 32.20% / ($50,670)
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic / 90.27% / 50.57% / ($50,620)
Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping / 65.40% / 30.88% / ($50,610)
Floor Sanders and Finishers / 100.00% / 30.71% / ($50,440)
Costume Attendants / 68.86% / 51.62% / ($50,400)
Carpet Installers / 100.00% / 31.43% / ($50,340)
Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance / 92.98% / 44.53% / ($50,340)
Neurodiagnostic Technologists / 83.87% / 48.40% / ($50,290)
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders / 100.01% / 82.14% / ($50,270)
Highway Maintenance Workers / 100.00% / 58.12% / ($50,260)
Travel Agents / 85.65% / 31.99% / ($50,160)
Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic / 100.00% / 62.67% / ($50,140)
Loan Interviewers and Clerks / 61.75% / 36.81% / ($50,020)
Agricultural Inspectors / 87.88% / 45.67% / ($49,940)
Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners / 99.99% / 69.64% / ($49,880)
Logging Equipment Operators / 100.00% / 75.24% / ($49,740)
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors / 100.00% / 40.92% / ($49,690)
Dredge Operators / 100.00% / 46.67% / ($49,640)
Agricultural Technicians / 63.19% / 40.58% / ($49,630)
Precision Agriculture Technicians / 60.87% / 43.48% / ($49,630)
Dental Laboratory Technicians / 92.45% / 35.15% / ($49,610)
Painters, Construction and Maintenance / 98.15% / 48.09% / ($49,400)
Geothermal Technicians / 100.00% / 47.90% / ($49,230)
Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks / 93.41% / 36.31% / ($49,230)
Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall / 100.00% / 81.05% / ($49,120)
First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers / 87.75% / 44.39% / ($49,100)
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic / 92.88% / 48.80% / ($49,080)
Pipelayers / 100.00% / 43.07% / ($49,000)
Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders / 100.00% / 92.48% / ($48,990)
Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic / 100.00% / 99.79% / ($48,750)
Rock Splitters, Quarry / 81.02% / 87.71% / ($48,740)
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers / 100.00% / 58.28% / ($48,570)
Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders / 100.00% / 62.22% / ($48,540)
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers / 99.58% / 37.01% / ($48,520)
Models / 96.06% / 96.07% / ($48,470)
Endoscopy Technicians / 100.01% / 73.08% / ($48,430)
Speech-Language Pathology Assistants / 57.73% / 85.80% / ($48,430)
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders / 100.00% / 67.28% / ($48,250)
Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers / 99.99% / 93.70% / ($48,220)
Foundry Mold and Coremakers / 100.00% / 83.14% / ($48,110)
Dental Assistants / 100.00% / 61.45% / ($48,070)
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders / 98.16% / 65.88% / ($48,040)
Fence Erectors / 99.99% / 88.21% / ($47,980)
Cooks, Private Household / 100.00% / 42.31% / ($47,940)
Bus Drivers, School / 100.00% / 90.59% / ($47,920)
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders / 100.00% / 70.42% / ($47,920)
Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics / 100.00% / 33.69% / ($47,880)
Helpers--Extraction Workers / 100.01% / 89.58% / ($47,730)
Medical Equipment Preparers / 82.92% / 43.14% / ($47,700)
New Accounts Clerks / 100.00% / 58.40% / ($47,670)
Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters / 93.77% / 65.96% / ($47,550)
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive / 89.01% / 43.85% / ($47,540)
Motorboat Operators / 85.14% / 45.12% / ($47,520)
Coin, Vending, and Amusement Machine Servicers and Repairers / 100.00% / 72.61% / ($47,450)
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians / 89.60% / 70.52% / ($47,380)
Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys / 59.63% / 40.27% / ($47,340)
Opticians, Dispensing / 100.00% / 50.00% / ($47,260)
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic / 100.00% / 63.96% / ($47,180)
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors / 61.91% / 52.38% / ($47,160)
Construction Laborers / 100.00% / 83.68% / ($47,120)
Bill and Account Collectors / 78.88% / 52.69% / ($47,030)
Roustabouts, Oil and Gas / 100.00% / 43.99% / ($46,960)
Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators / 99.36% / 83.68% / ($46,880)
Self-Enrichment Teachers / 45.76% / 33.67% / ($46,800)
Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders / 99.99% / 80.47% / ($46,460)
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators / 100.00% / 51.68% / ($46,420)
Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners / 90.92% / 36.37% / ($46,420)
Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping / 99.49% / 87.75% / ($46,380)
Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers / 100.00% / 67.03% / ($46,350)
Upholsterers / 100.00% / 31.96% / ($46,340)
Log Graders and Scalers / 100.00% / 49.41% / ($46,330)
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic / 100.00% / 36.13% / ($46,330)
Stone Cutters and Carvers, Manufacturing / 99.03% / 48.34% / ($46,170)
Craft Artists / 86.96% / 34.79% / ($46,080)
Manufactured Building and Mobile Home Installers / 100.00% / 77.97% / ($45,990)
Social and Human Service Assistants / 44.61% / 60.58% / ($45,930)
Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan / 98.84% / 34.25% / ($45,920)
Printing Press Operators / 100.00% / 40.17% / ($45,780)
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders / 96.10% / 50.94% / ($45,760)
Pharmacy Technicians / 96.16% / 80.98% / ($45,750)
Medical Assistants / 82.53% / 81.37% / ($45,690)
Animal Control Workers / 96.15% / 42.31% / ($45,660)
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians / 100.00% / 45.45% / ($45,570)
Skincare Specialists / 78.15% / 70.98% / ($45,330)
Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks / 89.25% / 85.10% / ($45,260)
Psychiatric Technicians / 68.09% / 75.29% / ($45,130)
Office Clerks, General / 99.76% / 47.07% / ($45,010)
Psychiatric Aides / 95.92% / 72.31% / ($44,910)
Light Truck Drivers / 100.00% / 99.31% / ($44,860)
Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders / 100.00% / 65.83% / ($44,810)
Customer Service Representatives / 85.79% / 48.94% / ($44,770)
Photographers / 81.82% / 36.37% / ($44,660)
Library Technicians / 68.58% / 66.51% / ($44,580)
Furniture Finishers / 100.00% / 45.95% / ($44,540)
Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks / 99.42% / 76.21% / ($44,390)
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic / 100.00% / 57.82% / ($44,350)
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers / 100.00% / 65.46% / ($44,080)
Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic / 96.57% / 85.26% / ($43,960)
Forest and Conservation Workers / 57.20% / 41.32% / ($43,680)
File Clerks / 91.72% / 39.40% / ($43,600)
Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders / 100.01% / 70.21% / ($43,530)
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing / 98.28% / 68.80% / ($43,380)
Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators / 100.00% / 80.06% / ($43,370)
Tutors / 54.54% / 72.73% / ($43,350)
Etchers and Engravers / 99.99% / 41.69% / ($43,310)
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders / 100.00% / 78.21% / ($43,220)
Tellers / 91.68% / 92.13% / ($43,030)
Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood / 100.00% / 70.09% / ($42,770)
Helpers--Electricians / 98.70% / 58.74% / ($42,670)
Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand / 100.00% / 64.30% / ($42,660)
Retail Loss Prevention Specialists / 89.50% / 61.98% / ($42,540)
Conveyor Operators and Tenders / 100.00% / 94.70% / ($42,420)
Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters / 90.30% / 60.09% / ($42,360)
Print Binding and Finishing Workers / 100.01% / 42.89% / ($42,290)
Food Batchmakers / 99.99% / 83.20% / ($42,290)
Nursing Assistants / 87.36% / 81.52% / ($42,260)
Residential Advisors / 59.02% / 65.91% / ($42,240)
Telephone Operators / 100.00% / 45.37% / ($41,740)
Agricultural Equipment Operators / 99.99% / 61.03% / ($41,730)
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term / 55.21% / 66.44% / ($41,670)
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers / 90.54% / 56.27% / ($41,640)
Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers / 100.00% / 97.14% / ($41,600)
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders / 100.00% / 72.87% / ($41,590)
Door-to-Door Sales Workers, News and Street Vendors, and Related Workers / 100.00% / 95.83% / ($41,380)
Data Entry Keyers / 100.00% / 48.23% / ($41,340)
Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders / 100.00% / 51.07% / ($41,330)
Counter and Rental Clerks / 79.75% / 74.93% / ($41,300)
Machine Feeders and Offbearers / 100.00% / 73.86% / ($41,220)
Office Machine Operators, Except Computer / 82.57% / 57.68% / ($40,960)
Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials / 80.95% / 57.14% / ($40,710)
Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators / 94.81% / 66.47% / ($40,610)
Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons / 100.00% / 60.78% / ($40,470)
Medical Transcriptionists / 100.00% / 66.02% / ($40,410)
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand / 100.00% / 68.49% / ($40,240)
Recycling and Reclamation Workers / 91.99% / 97.72% / ($40,240)
Butchers and Meat Cutters / 100.00% / 32.98% / ($40,140)
Slaughterers and Meat Packers / 100.00% / 60.24% / ($40,130)
Animal Trainers / 98.25% / 44.20% / ($39,990)
Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders / 100.00% / 76.39% / ($39,530)
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians / 91.17% / 67.45% / ($39,460)
Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers / 82.36% / 65.27% / ($39,390)
Demonstrators and Product Promoters / 99.34% / 99.34% / ($39,320)
Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service / 100.00% / 96.52% / ($39,280)
Occupational Therapy Aides / 98.20% / 75.70% / ($39,160)
Helpers--Production Workers / 92.38% / 89.55% / ($39,070)
Concierges / 90.91% / 63.65% / ($38,950)
Driver/Sales Workers / 100.00% / 91.91% / ($38,770)
Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders / 100.00% / 74.10% / ($38,760)
Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders / 100.00% / 99.60% / ($38,670)
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service / 96.96% / 60.95% / ($38,630)
Parts Salespersons / 86.38% / 35.11% / ($38,630)
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers / 98.70% / 95.45% / ($38,300)
Orderlies / 100.00% / 84.96% / ($38,290)
Motion Picture Projectionists / 89.90% / 90.17% / ($38,270)
Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders / 100.01% / 93.56% / ($38,180)
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers / 99.54% / 78.62% / ($38,150)
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education / 62.81% / 50.90% / ($38,140)
Crossing Guards and Flaggers / 100.00% / 90.24% / ($38,100)
Cutters and Trimmers, Hand / 100.00% / 58.19% / ($38,020)
Security Guards / 98.04% / 80.52% / ($38,020)
Receptionists and Information Clerks / 100.00% / 47.01% / ($38,010)
Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers / 100.00% / 98.78% / ($37,800)
Pharmacy Aides / 100.00% / 79.83% / ($37,680)
Dietetic Technicians / 93.29% / 45.65% / ($37,640)
Gambling Cage Workers / 100.00% / 57.48% / ($37,580)
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria / 93.22% / 64.36% / ($37,450)
Cooks, Restaurant / 99.99% / 83.35% / ($37,390)
Baggage Porters and Bellhops / 100.01% / 80.60% / ($37,080)
Library Assistants, Clerical / 95.43% / 72.18% / ($36,910)
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners / 75.92% / 78.11% / ($36,840)
Sewing Machine Operators / 99.99% / 58.36% / ($36,670)
Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals / 99.77% / 54.31% / ($36,670)
Recreation Workers / 37.90% / 40.14% / ($36,560)
Sewers, Hand / 99.48% / 60.39% / ($36,480)
Locker Room, Coatroom, and Dressing Room Attendants / 89.23% / 53.66% / ($36,300)
Packers and Packagers, Hand / 100.00% / 99.39% / ($36,280)
Gambling Change Persons and Booth Cashiers / 100.00% / 84.76% / ($36,220)
Cooks, Short Order / 100.01% / 81.36% / ($35,880)
Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment / 99.99% / 82.18% / ($35,830)
Manicurists and Pedicurists / 100.00% / 83.60% / ($35,760)
Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products / 100.00% / 87.28% / ($35,730)
Funeral Attendants / 88.97% / 69.50% / ($35,680)
Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants / 100.00% / 62.92% / ($35,670)
Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse / 75.14% / 71.76% / ($35,660)
Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders / 100.00% / 80.85% / ($35,650)
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners / 89.15% / 79.59% / ($35,510)
Telemarketers / 100.00% / 78.19% / ($35,450)
Retail Salespersons / 96.00% / 75.39% / ($35,410)
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant / 87.18% / 78.54% / ($35,360)
Animal Caretakers / 86.63% / 65.83% / ($35,360)
Food Preparation Workers / 95.85% / 88.15% / ($35,320)
Physical Therapist Aides / 81.30% / 72.78% / ($35,240)
Waiters and Waitresses / 100.00% / 98.56% / ($35,230)
Parking Attendants / 99.04% / 97.27% / ($35,150)
Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks / 95.41% / 84.96% / ($35,070)
Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials / 85.85% / 36.62% / ($35,060)
Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners / 100.01% / 72.38% / ($34,980)
Childcare Workers / 91.29% / 49.53% / ($34,980)
Dishwashers / 100.00% / 100.00% / ($34,810)
Bartenders / 98.88% / 57.35% / ($34,340)
Gambling Dealers / 100.00% / 62.42% / ($34,320)
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers / 100.00% / 93.53% / ($33,980)
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers / 98.78% / 76.80% / ($33,580)
Cashiers / 100.00% / 72.87% / ($32,880)
Shampooers / 100.00% / 93.40% / ($32,600)
Amusement and Recreation Attendants / 98.57% / 94.63% / ($32,150)
Fast Food and Counter Workers / 99.96% / 80.65% / ($31,200)
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop / 86.88% / 85.05% / ($31,200)
Dancers / 100.01% / 62.06% / (Salary Not Available)

Step 2 of 4: Find a Job

Job Listings for: Butchers and Meat Cutters.

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Step 3 of 4: Prepare For a Career

Prepare for the "Butchers and Meat Cutters" Career
The details below will provide a pathway to your specific job goal and help you to identify an appropriate career ladder.




Butchers and Meat Cutters

Description: Cut, trim, or prepare consumer-sized portions of meat for use or sale in retail establishments.

U.S. Total Employment (2025):
138,400		 U.S. Total Employment (2035 est.):
141,700
Employment Change (2025-2035 est.):
3,300 (2.4%) 		Average Annual Job Openings (2025-2035 est.):
15,100
Please click on a section below to expand and see detailed occupational information related to "Butchers and Meat Cutters":

Core Duties

Important Core Job Duties (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 98 (%) Description: Prepare special cuts of meat ordered by customers.
Importance: 98 (%) Description: Cut, trim, bone, tie, and grind meats, such as beef, pork, poultry, and fish, to prepare in cooking form.
Importance: 97 (%) Description: Prepare and place meat cuts and products in display counter to appear attractive and catch the shopper's eye.
Importance: 96 (%) Description: Wrap, weigh, label, and price cuts of meat.
Importance: 92 (%) Description: Receive, inspect, and store meat upon delivery to ensure meat quality.
Importance: 82 (%) Description: Shape, lace, and tie roasts, using boning knife, skewer, and twine.
Importance: 78 (%) Description: Estimate requirements and order or requisition meat supplies to maintain inventories.
Supplemental Duties
Important Supplemental Job Duties (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 65 (%) Description: Supervise other butchers or meat cutters.
Importance: 56 (%) Description: Record quantity of meat received and issued to cooks or keep records of meat sales.
Importance: 43 (%) Description: Cure, smoke, tenderize, and preserve meat.
Importance: 39 (%) Description: Negotiate with representatives from supply companies to determine order details.
Work Activities

Important General Work Activities (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 79 (%) Description: Performing for or Working Directly with the Public: Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
Importance: 76 (%) Description: Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Importance: 75 (%) Description: Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Importance: 74 (%) Description: Performing General Physical Activities: Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
Importance: 73 (%) Description: Selling or Influencing Others: Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
Importance: 71 (%) Description: Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Importance: 71 (%) Description: Controlling Machines and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
Importance: 71 (%) Description: Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Importance: 71 (%) Description: Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Importance: 71 (%) Description: Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Importance: 70 (%) Description: Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Importance: 70 (%) Description: Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Importance: 69 (%) Description: Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
Importance: 68 (%) Description: Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
Importance: 67 (%) Description: Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Importance: 67 (%) Description: Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
Importance: 67 (%) Description: Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
Importance: 67 (%) Description: Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
Importance: 66 (%) Description: Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
Importance: 65 (%) Description: Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
Importance: 65 (%) Description: Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Importance: 64 (%) Description: Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Importance: 64 (%) Description: Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Importance: 62 (%) Description: Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
Importance: 61 (%) Description: Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Importance: 61 (%) Description: Providing Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
Importance: 60 (%) Description: Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
Specific Work Activities

Important Specific Work Activities
How can you begin to build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. Specific Work Activities appear below:
Confer with customers or designers to determine order specifications.
Cut meat products.
Direct operational or production activities.
Estimate material requirements for production.
Inspect food products.
Load items into ovens or furnaces.
Mark products, workpieces, or equipment with identifying information.
Order materials, supplies, or equipment.
Prepare meat products for sale or consumption.
Record operational or production data.
Weigh finished products.
Knowledge Required

Knowledge Required (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 81 (%) Description: Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Importance: 76 (%) Description: Food Production: Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.
Importance: 66 (%) Description: Production and Processing: Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Importance: 61 (%) Description: Sales and Marketing: Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
Essential Skills

Essential Skills (in order of importance)
These are the foundational skills most central to success in this occupation. For the Top 5 most important, how can you begin building experience and confidence using these skills now?
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 52 (%) Description: Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Day-in-the-Life Summaries

Day-in-the-Life Summaries
These summaries show the main types of activities you are likely to perform on a regular basis in this occupation. How can you imagine your typical workday — using these examples to see if this type of work fits you?
Activity: Confer with clients to determine needs or order specifications.
Activity: Determine resource needs of projects or operations.
Activity: Direct organizational operations, activities, or procedures.
Activity: Inspect completed work or finished products.
Activity: Load products, materials, or equipment for transportation or further processing.
Activity: Maintain operational records.
Activity: Mark materials or objects for identification.
Activity: Measure physical characteristics of materials, products, or equipment.
Activity: Prepare foods or beverages.
Activity: Purchase goods or services.
Software Skills

Software Skills
These are examples of software tools commonly used in this occupation, organized from most to least important for your career preparation. How can you start learning or practicing the highest-priority tools so that you feel confident using them on the job?
Emerging Tech Skills
Electronic mail software:
Microsoft Outlook
Office suite software:
Microsoft Office software
Spreadsheet software:
Microsoft Excel
Word processing software:
Microsoft Word
General Software Tools
Accounting software:
Financial accounting software
Internet browser software:
Web browser software
Preparation Required
Preparation Required - How much preparation is needed to obtain this type of job?
Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
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.
Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
These occupations involve following instructions and often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include dishwashers, landscaping and groundskeeping workers, counter and rental clerks, dental laboratory technicians, and security guards.
Education Required

Education Required - by frequency of educational attainment
This shows you details about the level of education most commonly held by workers in this occupation. How can you begin planning the educational pathway that will prepare you best for this type of work?
Frequency of Attainment (%) Level of Education
Frequency of Attainment: 69.9 (%) Level of Education: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Frequency of Attainment: 20.4 (%) Level of Education: Less than a High School Diploma
Frequency of Attainment: 7.3 (%) Level of Education: Some College Courses
Frequency of Attainment: 2.4 (%) Level of Education: Post-Secondary Certificate
Training and Experience Required

Training and Experience Required - by frequency of training and work experience attainment
This section shows you how often different types of training and work experience are required for this occupation. How can you start gaining the kinds of experience and training that are most common for this type of work?
Frequency of Attainment (%) Level of Training and Work Experience
Frequency of Attainment: 32.2 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
Frequency of Attainment: 31.5 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
Frequency of Attainment: 8.2 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: None
Frequency of Attainment: 8.1 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
Frequency of Attainment: 6.7 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months
Frequency of Attainment: 5.3 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Up to and including 1 month
Frequency of Attainment: 4.6 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months
Frequency of Attainment: 2.1 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years
Frequency of Attainment: 1.2 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 years, up to and including 8 years
Professional Associations
Professional Associations
These associations connect people who work in this occupation or related fields. How can you start using these associations to learn more, build your network, or find mentoring opportunities?
American Bakers Association External Link
American Meat Institute (AMI) External Link
Job Listings
Job Listings and Similar Occupational Titles - scroll and click to identify common requirements, keywords, and skills in current job listings
Butchers and Meat Cutters
Beef Shoppe Clerk
Blockman
Butcher
Butcher Block Clerk
Cleaver
Halal Butcher
Hotel and Restaurant Butcher
Journeyman Meat Cutter
Kosher Butcher
Meat Associate
Meat Butcher
Meat Carver
Meat Clerk
Meat Counter Clerk
Meat Counter Worker
Meat Cutter
Meat Dresser
Meat Loiner
Meat Service Team Member
Meat Slicer
Meat Specialist
Meat Team Member
Meat Wrapper
Meatcutter
Meatman
Seafood Associate
Seafood Clerk
Seafood Counter Clerk
Seafood Service Team Member
Service Meat Clerk
Slicer
Small Order Cutter
Related Careers to Consider
Related Careers to Consider
This lists up to 20 careers that might be of interest to you (related to what "Butchers and Meat Cutters" do, what they know, and what they're called), ranked by best fit. How do these related occupations align with your interests, skills, and goals?
1 - Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers
2 - Slaughterers and Meat Packers
3 - Cooks, Restaurant
4 - Food Preparation Workers
5 - Bakers
6 - Cooks, Short Order
7 - Chefs and Head Cooks
8 - Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
9 - Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders
10 - Food Batchmakers
11 - Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products
12 - Fast Food and Counter Workers
13 - Cooks, Fast Food
14 - Food Service Managers
15 - Cooks, Private Household
16 - Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders
17 - Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
18 - Food Scientists and Technologists
19 - Packers and Packagers, Hand
20 - First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers

Step 4 of 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated)

This section contains detailed resources appropriate to "Butchers and Meat Cutters". Explore these resources to start learning more. Links are constantly updated, so bookmark this page.

Videos

Here is a listing of videos related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.


Resumes

Here are resources that allow you to see example resumes for this occupation. It may be helpful to see examples from others who have this type of experience.


Job Description

Here are resources that provide job descriptions, which are vital for resume and interview preparation.


Interviews

There are many great resources that can help guide you through the interview process. These links provide help in preparing and performing an effective interview, specific to this occupation.


Salary Data

Here are links to help you identify salary ranges for this occupation. These data are necessary prior to effective salary negotiations.


Raises

Here are resources that help you to prepare to ask for a raise. These links will help you to prepare for the salary negotiation process.


Jobs

Here are resources that lead to links for actual jobs related to "Butchers and Meat Cutters". Use these links to find a job.


Jobs

Here are resources that lead to links for actual jobs related to "Butchers and Meat Cutters". Use these links to find a job.


Classifieds

There are various sources for job classified ads. These links should help get you started to find a job for this occupation.


Step-by-Step

Here are links to help guide you, step-by-step, to become a(n): Butchers and Meat Cutters


Career Change

Here are resources to help you prepare for a career change. It is helpful to look carefully at the information provided in Section 3: Career Change (detailed previously on this page) prior to using these links. There is much to learn ...


LinkedIn®

Here are links to various posts and groups from LinkedIn ® that relate to this occupation. Great way to start building professional contacts in the field that might be most appropriate for you.


Career Path

Here are links to various resources to help you explore the career path related to the "Butchers and Meat Cutters" occupation.






Developed by Dr. Ralph Jagodka, Ed.D., Professor Emeritus of Business Management at Mt. San Antonio College and author of the Harvard Business Impact article "What to Do When Students Ask You for Career Advice." - Full bio. © 2026 About This Page