PRODUCE PATH · ONTARIO TRADE 245R
Retail Meat Cutter
A Retail Meat Cutter prepares meat and poultry for the retail market by:
NON-COMPULSORY IN ONTARIOFOOD / HOSPITALITY
Original generated editorial image • not a real employee
WHY THE WORK MATTERS
Knife skill, food safety and product knowledge bring quality cuts to the customer.
Retail meat cutters break down, trim, portion, prepare, package and merchandise meat and poultry while maintaining sanitation, equipment and customer service standards.
4,000 hoursgeneral apprenticeship duration
$40,000estimated median at 2,000 paid hours
Ontario tradenon-compulsory classification
EXPLORE IN ORDER
Four questions. One clearer next step.
WHERE THE WORK LIVES
Real settings for real work
supermarket meat departmentsindependent butcher shopsspecialty and ethnic food marketswholesale and food-service suppliersfarm shops and small processing businesses
EVIDENCE BASE
Sources & verification
Regulated, numerical and time-sensitive claims link to the authority used. Accessed and reviewed August 25, 2026.
Skilled Trades Ontario — Retail Meat Cutter ↗Official scope, duties, training and certificationGovernment of Canada Job Bank — Ontario wages ↗Ontario low, median and high employee wage benchmarkSkilled Trades Ontario — Start an apprenticeship ↗Eligibility, sponsors and registrationOntario — OYAP ↗High-school apprenticeship pathway