Staphylococcus aureus is a bacteria found commonly on the skin and mucous membranes of mammals that can occasionally cause superficial or severe infections. Strains resistant to methicillin (MRSA) are a serious public health problem in hospitals worldwide, but animals were considered to have no role as MRSA reservoirs. Recent reports from Europe and elsewhere found pigs and pig farmers can have a high prevalence of colonization with particular MRSA strains (ST398). Although the public health risk from ST398 MRSA appears to be very limited thus far, the issue of ‘livestock associated MRSA’ has attracted considerable scientific and media attention, including predictions of a future epidemic and concerns about food safety. The sole published study in the USA, limited to two production systems in Iowa, found a high prevalence ST398 MRSA in pigs and farm staff in one system. The objectives of our study were to obtain a broader perspective on the prevalence of MRSA in market hogs, swine veterinarians, and retail pork products in the USA. Nasal swabs were collected from 111 swine veterinarians at a national swine veterinary meeting, and from 539 market hogs slaughtered at large US packing plants. Fresh pork products (chops or ground pork) were obtained from retail stores in 15 states. MRSA prevalence was 6% in swine veterinarians and 30% in market hogs. S. aureus was detected in 80% of pork samples. Diverse spa types were detected in all three subprojects, but spa type 539, corresponding with the ‘livestock associated’ ST398 strains in Europe, was the most common spa type in both market hogs and swine veterinarians. Only 3 isolates of spa type 539 MRSA were found in retail pork samples. In summary, MRSA isolates consistent with the ‘livestock associated’ MRSA strains common in Europe were found in US swine veterinarians, market hogs and retail pork. Isolates obtained were much more diverse than reported from Europe, and more similar to published data from Canada. Further studies are needed to better understand the ecology of S. aureus in pigs and the potential occupational risks for farm workers. European authorities have concluded that foodborne risks from MRSA in meat are negligible.