Butcher pay under the Meat Industry Award 2020 for meat retail from 1 July 2026: every level from shop assistant to butcher in charge, weekend and casual rates, apprentice butcher wages and take-home pay in 2026–27.
A qualified butcher (Level 7) earns at least $29.45 an hour ($36.81 casual), $1,119.10 a week or about $58,193 a year. That's $1,891 a fortnight after tax. Open in the pay calculator.
Butcher shop pay rates
| Level | Hourly | Casual hourly | Weekly | Year (52 weeks) | Take-home per fortnight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | $25.74 | $32.18 | $978.10 | $50,861 | $1,704 |
| Level 2: Order person delivering meat | $26.44 | $33.05 | $1,004.90 | $52,255 | $1,740 |
| Level 3 | $26.60 | $33.25 | $1,010.90 | $52,567 | $1,748 |
| Level 4: Smallgoods maker (no trade qualification), cashier | $27.23 | $34.04 | $1,034.60 | $53,799 | $1,779 |
| Level 5: Salesperson | $27.71 | $34.64 | $1,052.90 | $54,751 | $1,803 |
| Level 6 | $28.28 | $35.35 | $1,074.50 | $55,874 | $1,832 |
| Level 7: General butcher (trade qualified) | $29.45 | $36.81 | $1,119.10 | $58,193 | $1,891 |
| Level 8: General butcher in charge of the shop | $30.53 | $38.16 | $1,160.20 | $60,330 | $1,946 |
Meat retail rates. Roles are examples from Schedule A of the award. Full-time weekly rate for 38 hours; take-home pay is after income tax and the Medicare levy for a full year in 2026–27.
Weekend and public holiday rates
| Level | Saturday 4am-6pm | Sunday 8am-6pm | Public holiday (first 2 hours) | Casual Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | $32.18 | $38.61 | $64.35 | $38.61 |
| Level 2 | $33.05 | $39.66 | $66.10 | $39.66 |
| Level 3 | $33.25 | $39.90 | $66.50 | $39.90 |
| Level 4 | $34.04 | $40.85 | $68.08 | $40.85 |
| Level 5 | $34.64 | $41.57 | $69.28 | $41.57 |
| Level 6 | $35.35 | $42.42 | $70.70 | $42.42 |
| Level 7 | $36.81 | $44.18 | $73.63 | $44.18 |
| Level 8 | $38.16 | $45.80 | $76.33 | $45.80 |
Full-time and part-time retail sales staff who aren't shiftworkers. Christmas Day, Anzac Day and Good Friday have higher rates; see the pay guide.
Apprentice butcher wages
| Year | Didn't finish Year 12 | Finished Year 12 | Adult apprentice |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st year | $14.73 | $16.20 | $23.56 |
| 2nd year | $17.67 | $19.14 | $25.74 |
| 3rd year | $25.03 | $25.03 | $25.74 |
| 4th year | $27.98 | $27.98 | $27.98 |
Hourly rates in meat retail for apprentices who started on or after 1 January 2014. See apprentice wages for other trades.
How it works
- The Meat Industry Award 2020 covers meat processing, manufacturing and stand-alone meat retail businesses, not butchers inside supermarkets.
- A general butcher with a trade qualification is Level 7; a butcher in charge of the shop is Level 8.
- Casuals get a 25% loading instead of paid leave. Super is paid on top.
Common questions
How much does a butcher earn in Australia?
A qualified general butcher (Level 7) in a butcher shop earns at least $29.45 an hour, $1,119.10 a week or about $58,193 a year from 1 July 2026 under the Meat Industry Award 2020. A butcher in charge of the shop (Level 8) gets $30.53 an hour. Many butchers are paid above the award.
What is the butcher pay rate per hour?
$29.45 for a qualified butcher, $36.81 as a casual.
How much does an apprentice butcher get paid?
$14.73 an hour in first year if you didn't finish Year 12, $16.20 if you did, and $23.56 as an adult apprentice, rising to $27.98 in fourth year.
Do butchers get paid more on weekends?
Yes. A full-time qualified butcher gets $36.81 an hour on Saturdays (4am to 6pm) and $44.18 on Sundays (8am to 6pm).
Are supermarket butchers on this award?
No. The Meat Industry Award covers stand-alone butcher shops. Butchers working in a supermarket are covered by another award or the supermarket's own agreement; see Woolworths and Coles pay rates.
When do the rates go up?
Each year from the first full pay period on or after 1 July. Next: 1 July 2027 (Annual Wage Review).
See also chef salary, retail pay rates and the casual loading calculator.
Source: Fair Work Ombudsman pay guide and award text, Meat Industry Award 2020 [MA000059], rates from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026. Take-home pay: ATO tax rates. Checked 2026-10-22. General information only.