The internal temperature of a pork shoulder when its done smoking is between 195°F and 205°F. Its common for the internal temperature of a pork shoulder to plateau, or stop climbing for a while, between 165°F and 170°F, which is a completely normal part of the process and can last as long as a few hours. To ensure that the pork shoulder is cooked to the correct temperature, its recommended to use a meat thermometer and insert it into the thickest part of the meat, without it touching the bone. The cooking temperature for smoking pork butt is typically between 225°F and 275°F, but it can range from 200°F to 300°F successfully.