According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. animal slaughtering and processing industry employed about 485,170 workers as of May 2012, with an average hourly wage of $13.85 and average annual pay of $28,810. However, the expected wages of slaughterhouse workers varies considerably by specific job.

Slaughterers and Meat Packers As of 2012, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that an estimated 75,620 slaughterers and meat packers were employed in the animal slaughtering and processing industry. These workers reported an average wage of $12.03 an hour and an average salary of $25,010 a year to the bureau.

Meat Trimmers Once animals have been slaughtered, the meat must be cut and trimmed. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, slaughterhouses employed an estimated 110,480 meat, poultry and fish trimmers in 2012, and paid them an average wage of $11.44 an hour. These workers reported an average annual salary of $23,790.

Butchers Butchers and meat cutters are specially trained to produce cuts of meat in accordance with customer specifications. As a result, they tend to earn higher pay than slaughterers and trimmers. As of 2012, an estimated 8,600 butchers and meat cutters were employed by slaughterhouses. The BLS reports that they made an average of $13.46 an hour and $28,000 a year.

Freight and Stock Handlers and Movers Freight and stock handlers move meat and supplies throughout the slaughterhouse by hand. About 25,170 were employed in the industry as of 2012, earning an average wage of $11.80 an hour and $24,540 a year. Other employees use conveyors belts to move products throughout the facility, and they earned an average of $12.08 an hour and $25,120 per year.

Quality Control Workers Slaughterhouses employed an estimated 11,890 quality control workers as of 2012, including inspectors, samplers, weighers, sorters and testers. They make sure that products meet the standard set by the industry and by law. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that quality assurance workers employed in animal slaughtering and processing made an average of $13.54 an hour and $28,160 a year in 2012.

Packagers Finished and cut meat products must be packaged before they can be shipped to wholesalers and retail stores. Slaughterhouse workers who package meat by hand earned an average of $10.95 an hour and $22,780 a year as of 2012, according to BLS estimates. Those who operated machines used for packing and packaging meat averaged $12.32 an hour and $25,630 a year.