Home / USA Jobs / Meat/Poultry Processing Worker

Meat/Poultry Processing Worker

Meat and poultry processing roles support high-volume production: trimming, deboning (role-dependent), packing, labeling, quality checks, and sanitation steps under strict hygiene and safety rules. This is an informational role overview for the United States; exact terms (location, shift pattern, start date, station, and compensation) depend on the hiring employer and seasonality. CV is required for review.

CV is mandatory: candidates without a CV are not reviewed.

Create / Upload CV Contact

Sector: Food Processing Typical route: EB-3/H-2B Work type: Permanent or temporary Typical gross pay: $15–$24/hr Last updated: January 1, 2026

Core reality: many stations are cold, standing, and repetitive. Employers prioritize hygiene, safe hands, and attendance reliability as much as speed.

What this role typically includes

“Meat/Poultry Processing Worker” is a station-based production role. Depending on the plant and line, tasks may include trimming, portioning, deboning (role-dependent), packing and labeling, moving product to chill storage, and keeping the station compliant with hygiene rules.

Role story (non-template):

In processing, reputation is built on “clean hands and clean output.” Strong workers keep pace without shortcuts, change gloves when required, keep tools controlled, and prevent mix-ups—so the line stays consistent and supervisors do not need to stop production.

Typical tasks (examples)

Perform station tasks: trimming, sorting, packing, labeling (station-dependent)
Follow hygiene rules: handwashing, protective clothing, and clean handling
Do quality checks: weight, seal integrity, labeling accuracy, visual defects
Maintain safe movement and tool control; follow line and supervisor instructions
Assist sanitation steps: wipe-down, washdown support, waste handling as assigned

What “good performance” looks like: steady pace, correct packaging/labels, clean station habits, no safety violations, and reliable attendance.

Short candidate portrait

Hygiene-focused: follows rules consistently, even when the line is fast
Safe hands: careful with tools and repetitive movements
Cold-tolerant: comfortable in chilled areas and protective gear
Reliable: shows up on time; stable productivity across shifts
Detail-aware: notices labeling/packing errors before they become rejects

Requirements (detailed)

CV + communication

English CV is required for review. Plants often expect enough English to follow safety briefings, station instructions, and labeling/packing rules.

Physical readiness

Many stations require standing for long periods, repetitive hand motion, lifting/carrying bins or boxes (site-dependent), and working at a steady pace. Reliability and stamina matter.

Hygiene & food-handling discipline

Expect strict hygiene routines (protective clothing, handwashing rules, controlled product handling). Small shortcuts can lead to rejects or line stops—compliance is essential.

Safety and tool control

Some roles involve knives or cutting tools (station-dependent). Safe technique, controlled movement, and following PPE rules are mandatory. No unsafe “speed tricks.”

Shift work

Shifts may be early, late, or rotating. Overtime can appear during peak periods or when production schedules change. Flexibility is often valued.

Note: additional requirements may apply by state, employer, and plant policy.

Station map (how plants often organize work)

Your exact station depends on the employer and line. A clear CV is easier to match when you describe which stations you can work.

Receiving & prep

Basic sorting and staging
Moving product safely
Keeping areas clean

Trim / portion (role-dependent)

Trimming to standard
Consistent cuts and yield
Tool control and safety

Packing & labeling

Correct pack counts
Labels, dates, codes
Seal checks and accuracy

Quality checks

Visual defects and standards
Weights and tolerances
Escalation of issues

Chill / cold storage

Cold-area handling
Safe stacking and movement
Inventory discipline

Sanitation support

Washdown assistance
Waste handling
Cleaning compliance

CV tip: write a one-line station summary such as: “Packing/labeling + quality checks + cold storage handling; strict hygiene compliance; steady shift output.”

Gross pay and overtime (USA planning ranges)

Pay varies by state, employer, and shift pattern. The ranges below are realistic for planning; exact offers depend on the hiring employer and station assignment.

Level (typical)	Gross hourly pay	Gross annual estimate (40h/week)	Typical scope
Entry / new to plant 0–6 months	$15–$18/hr	$31,200–$37,440	Packing, sorting, basic station tasks, cleanup support, learning hygiene and line discipline.
Experienced line worker 6–24 months	$18–$22/hr	$37,440–$45,760	Steady output on assigned stations, label/pack accuracy, quality checks, strong compliance habits.
Skilled / tool-station capable 2+ years	$22–$24/hr	$45,760–$49,920	Higher-skill stations (role-dependent), consistent quality, low errors, trusted reliability under schedule pressure.

Overtime (gross example)

Example at $19/hr: 40h = $760; plus 10h at 1.5× adds $285 → $1,045 gross/week. Overtime depends on employer policy and scheduling.

What increases pay

Reliable attendance and stable shift output
Lower error rate (labels, seals, counts)
Ability to rotate stations without retraining
Strong hygiene and safety compliance
Experience on higher-skill stations (role-dependent)

Important notes

All figures above are gross (brutto)
Taxes/deductions depend on payroll setup and location
Exact pay is confirmed only by the hiring employer

Compliance reminder: hygiene and safety are not “optional.” Plants may remove workers from the line for repeated violations.

Work conditions in the USA (practical overview)

Temperature & gear

Many stations operate in chilled areas. Protective clothing is common. Comfort working in cold conditions is an advantage.

Repetition & pace

Line work can be repetitive and fast-paced. Consistency matters—errors in labeling, packing or handling can lead to rejects.

Hygiene discipline

Expect strict routines: clean handling, station cleanliness, and compliance with plant rules to protect product quality.

What employers commonly check

Station reliability: can you keep pace without unsafe shortcuts?
Hygiene: do you follow rules every time, not “when watched”?
Accuracy: labels, seals, counts, and product handling stay correct.
Attendance: consistent presence across shifts and peak periods.

CV keywords that help matching: “packing,” “labeling,” “quality checks,” “sanitation,” “cold storage,” “shift work,” “hygiene compliance.”

Typical employer-provided items (varies)

Onboarding and station training (role-dependent)
Plant rules briefing (hygiene, safety, conduct)
PPE requirements and issuance (site policy)
Shift schedule and productivity expectations

Visa & authorization disclaimer: Any U.S. work authorization path (e.g., H-2B, EB-3) depends on the hiring employer, eligibility and official procedures. This page is informational and not legal advice.

Next steps

Create/upload your CV and keep contact details up to date.
After review, we confirm role fit and available projects.
If shortlisted, you proceed to employer interview and documentation steps.

Apply with CV Browse all roles

What to include in your CV

Stations you worked: packing/labeling, trimming, quality checks, sanitation, cold storage
Shift pattern experience (day/night/rotating) and attendance reliability
Safety discipline and hygiene compliance
Language level relevant to jobsite rules and instructions
Any measurable outcomes (low error rate, fast onboarding, station rotation ability)

Common rejection reasons

No English CV or incomplete contact details
Vague experience (no stations listed)
Unclear shift availability
Concerns about hygiene/safety discipline

Fix these before applying to improve review speed.

FAQ (role-specific)

Related roles in Food Processing

Use these internal links to compare similar roles before applying.

Visa & authorization disclaimer: any U.S. work authorization path depends on the hiring employer, eligibility and official procedures. This page is informational and not legal advice.