As of May 2023, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimated the wages for workers (using the Standard Occupational Classification, which groups workers by the duties they perform) in the Animal Slaughtering and Processing industries as follows:[1]
The weighted average mean hourly wage is $18.38 per hour.
The term “frontline” has been used in articles and reports without a specific definition. Within animal slaughtering & processing (NAICS 311600), listed above are the three occupations that seem most likely to be considered frontline workers – those working on slaughter lines or using knives and machinery to disassemble carcasses.
U.S. Bureau of Labor of Labor Statistics, May 2023 National Industry-Specific Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates: Production Workers in NAICS 311600 – Animal Slaughtering and Processing. [Note: The occupational category of Meat, Poultry, Fish Cutters & Trimmers (51-3022) has in its entirety 138,300 workers. However, there are 101,000 workers specifically associated with the animal slaughter & processing industry. Most of the others are in food retailing and seafood product preparation which are different industries.]
As of May 2023, the BLS estimated the wages for workers in all U.S. occupations and for all U.S. production occupations as follows:[1]
Average annual wages for “frontline” workers are ~80% of the average for all U.S. production occupations.
U.S. Bureau of Labor of Labor Statistics, May 2023 National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, United States.