How to become a meat cutter and fishmongers - retail and wholesale
Official title: Meat cutters and fishmongers - retail and wholesale
Also called: Fishmonger, Retail meat cutter, Fishmonger - retail, Supermarket meat cutter, Fish cutter - retail or wholesale, Meat cutter - retail or wholesale, Pork cutter - retail or wholesale, Butcher helper - retail and wholesale, Meat portion cutter - retail or wholesale
Meat cutters and fishmongers prepare and package pieces of meat, poultry and fish that are sold by food retailers or wholesalers. They use tools to cut, trim and package meat, poultry and fish on a daily basis. They are employed in grocery stores, fish stores, or they may be self-employed.
Main tasks
- Grind meats and slice cooked meats using powered grinders and slicing machines
- Cut, weigh, package, label and price meat, meat products, fish and seafood for sale
- Suggest complementary and/or alternative meat or fish products to consumers
- Inspect the quality of meat, fish and seafood, expiry dates and ensure proper product rotation
- Ensure the maintenance of equipment, displays and work area
- Receive and store merchandise in accordance with the company's established standards
- Comply with government health and safety standards and occupational health and safety standards
How to become one
Completion of secondary school may be required. On-the-job training in food stores is usually offered to meat cutters and fishmongers for retail sale. An apprenticeship program in meat cutting is available but voluntary. Trade certification for meat cutter is available, but voluntary, in Saskatchewan and British Columbia.
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $38,025 a year The middle half earn $32,273 to $45,630.
- About 5,100 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 4,200 are projected by 2033. (-17.6%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: balance.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a meat cutter and fishmongers - retail and wholesale?
Completion of secondary school may be required. On-the-job training in food stores is usually offered to meat cutters and fishmongers for retail sale. An apprenticeship program in meat cutting is available but voluntary. Trade certification for meat cutter is available, but voluntary, in Saskatchewan and British Columbia.
How much does a meat cutter and fishmongers - retail and wholesale earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $38,025 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $32,273 to $45,630.
Is a meat cutter and fishmongers - retail and wholesale a growing career in Canada?
Employment is projected to fall 18% by 2033, from about 5,100 to about 4,200 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become a meat cutter and fishmongers - retail and wholesale?
Usually not. Only 7% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03