Career comparison
Butcher vs. Line Cook
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Butchers earn more at the median ($40,140 vs. $37,390), while line cooks usually get to work faster (1–6 months on the job of training). Butchers cut, trim and prepare meat for stores, restaurants and customers. Line cooks cook dishes to order on a busy restaurant line.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Butcher | Line Cook | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $40,140 ($19.30/hr) | $37,390 ($17.98/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $29,460 – $58,110 | $28,700 – $47,900 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +2.4% (slower than average) | +12.1% (much faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 15,100 | 218,600 |
| Typical entry education | No formal educational credential | No formal educational credential |
| Training time | 3–12 months on the job | 1–6 months on the job |
| Key credential | Food handler card | Food handler card |
| Work setting | Butchers work in cold cutting rooms and stores, standing for long periods and using sharp knives, band saws and grinders.. | Line cooks work in hot, crowded kitchens with open flames, hot oil and sharp knives. |
What each job does
Butcher
- Break down primal and subprimal cuts
- Cut steaks, roasts and chops
- Grind and package meat
- Label products with weights and prices
- Prepare custom orders
Line Cook
- Prep ingredients for the station before service
- Cook dishes to order following recipes
- Plate food to presentation standards
- Communicate with the expediter and other cooks
- Monitor food temperatures and quality
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, indoor work, and physical work. Both are part of the hospitality, food & tourism field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose butcher if…
- I like working with my hands
- I’m comfortable working with meat
- I’m careful with sharp tools
Choose line cook if…
- I like cooking
- I work fast under pressure
- I like teamwork
Still torn? Take the Butcher fit quiz and the Line Cook fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, butcher or line cook?
Butchers earn more at the median: $40,140 versus $37,390 for line cooks, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Line Cooks typically train faster (1–6 months on the job) than butchers (3–12 months on the job).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects line cooks to grow +12.1% from 2025–35, compared with +2.4% for butchers.