What Does a Poultry Line Worker Do?

This job can go by several names: poultry line worker, line worker, process worker, production line worker, poultry general laborer and some other titles depending on the company. Whatever job title they go by, these workers play a big role in any poultry production. They perform many important tasks needed for America, and other parts of the world, to get the delicious chicken they need!

What is the job description of a poultry line worker? 

The job description for this position may sound something like this:

“The poultry line worker will work at various stations along the production line
processing poultry products. They will be responsible for adhering to all safety
requirements, preventing and reporting unsafe acts and conditions, Lockout-Tagout
procedures and Process Safety Management related matters.”

What job duties does a poultry line worker do?
When it comes to poultry production, poultry line workers are jacks of all trades, so to speak. Depending on the plant, line workers may work on just about any process in poultry production. so they may perform any of the following tasks:

• Deboning
• Cutting
• Cleaning workstations
• Evisceration
• Live hanging
• Marination
• Multivac
• Product inspection
• Perform various assembly line style job functions
• Handling, moving, loading and sealing boxes
• Operating line machinery
• Utilizing a pallet jack
• Moving product from one part of plant to another
• General handling of birds and/or poultry meat

What kind of skills should you include on a resume for a job in a chicken factory?
Your education: Many poultry jobs don’t require poultry line workers to have education requirements, but having a high school diploma or GED is always a plus. If you have a degree, make sure to include it in your resume.

Similar experience: If you have past experience in poultry production, food manufacturing or another type of manufacturing, you’ll definitely want to include these jobs on your resume.

Long-term commitment: Another big thing companies desire in a poultry line worker is a consistent work history, meaning you have worked at several different companies for over six consecutive months.

What is the salary range for a poultry line worker?
Poultry line workers can make anywhere from $11 to $17 per hour, and sometimes even more depending on where they work, their experience and the company. It’s a big pay range, in part, because poultry line workers can fulfill many different roles, depending on what part of the line they work on and how much skill is required.

What is a chicken factory like?
Poultry line workers have to work at a fast pace because, after all, they work with products that are moving by them on a line. You can also expect cool or cold temperatures, as the job deals with perishable food products.

How do I find a poultry line job near me?
A solid place to start is the Internet. Chicken processors often post their jobs on the usual jobs sites, which typically rank highly in search. So typing “chicken processing jobs near me” into your favorite search engine should provide you with results. At Onin we also work with processors in multiple states, so you can click one of the links on this post and see if we have anything available near you.

What shifts do poultry line workers have?
1st and 2nd shifts are commonly available for poultry workers. Many companies also offer 3rd shift. Being a night owl may help you earn some extra income, as many companies offer 2nd and 3rd shift workers more money than 1st shift.

What jobs are similar to a poultry line worker?
Other jobs in the poultry industry will allow you to use similar skills, including:

• Deboning
• Live poultry
• Marinating
• Meat cutter

What are some career paths for poultry line workers?
If you’re interested in another position in a poultry factory, starting out as a poultry line worker can be a great idea, especially if you talk with your supervisor about having an interest in learning more about poultry processing and gaining experience. Working as a poultry line worker can also prepare you to work for other manufacturing companies, including the automotive industry, or other production manufacturing positions.

Love the sound of this job? Your local Ōnin Staffing may have a similar position available. Contact the Ōnin Staffing closest to you to get started.