63201
Canada Limited

Butchers - retail and wholesale

Butchers prepare standard and specialty cuts of meat, poultry, fish and shellfish for sale in retail or wholesale food establishments. They are employed in supermarkets, grocery stores, butcher shops and fish stores or may be self-employed. Butchers who are supervisors or heads of departments are included in this unit group. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.

Employment Outlooks

Economic Region Outlooks

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Choose up to 3 regions to see employment outlooks. This occupation has data for 72 economic regions.

Salary Information

National wage data for this occupation
Entry-level
CA$15.25
/hr
Typical
CA$20.00
/hr
Experienced
CA$28.00
/hr

Average: CA$21.15/hr

73.5% of workers in this occupation receive non-wage benefits

Source: Job Bank Canada. Wages may vary by region and experience.

Examples

Illustrative Examples
  • butcher - butcher shop
  • butcher apprentice
  • head butcher - wholesale
  • retail butcher
All Examples
  • apprentice butcher - retail or wholesale
  • butcher - butcher shop
  • butcher - delicatessen
  • butcher - retail or wholesale
  • butcher - wholesale
  • butcher apprentice
  • butcher assistant
  • grocery store butcher
  • head butcher - retail
  • head butcher - retail or wholesale
  • head butcher - wholesale
  • retail butcher
  • supermarket butcher

Main Duties

Main Duties
  • This group performs some or all of the following duties:
  • Cut, trim, bone and otherwise prepare custom and/or standard cuts of meat, poultry, fish and shellfish for sale at self-serve counters or according to customers' orders
  • Prepare meat for special displays and/or delivery
  • Shape, lace and tie roasts and other meats, poultry or fish and may wrap or package fresh or frozen or prepared meats
  • Manage inventory, keep records of sales and determine amount, product line and freshness of products according to company and customer requirements
  • Adhere to Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and food safety standards
  • Ensure food storage conditions are adequate
  • May supervise, direct work or train other butchers, meat cutters or fishmongers.

Requirements

Employment Requirements
  • Completion of secondary school may be required.
  • Completion of a college or other butchery training program may be required.
  • Several years of on-the-job training in food stores is usually required for retail butchers.

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Data from Statistics Canada (NOC 2021), ESDC Labour Market Information, and Job Bank Canada