The salary and wages can vary depending on the environment that they are working in. Most meat processing plants pay by the hour. Cutters are paid on average around $10 in the US. Some beginner cutters will make less than $10 in a grocery store. After they have worked for at least two years under an apprenticeship, they can begin working under a salary scenario and can make from $25,000 to $30,000 per year in the US and even more if they are a master. Private butcher shops often pay the most out of the different employment options because they are a more specialized type of employment. Pay truly depends on the skills that have been acquired as an apprentice.