Occupation · SOC 45-2011
Agricultural Inspectors
Inspect agricultural commodities, processing equipment, and facilities, and fish and logging operations, to ensure compliance with regulations and laws governing health, quality, and safety.
Median wage
$50,990
$37,440–$80,240
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
12,090
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
9 mapped
Core skills
Quality Control AnalysisActive ListeningReading ComprehensionMonitoringCritical ThinkingSpeakingActive LearningOperations Monitoring
Knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceAdministration and ManagementLaw and GovernmentAdministrativePublic Safety and Security
Technology & tools
Graphics or photo imaging softwareData base user interface and query softwareSpreadsheet softwareInternet browser softwareOffice suite software
Representative tasks
Inspect food products and processing procedures to determine whether products are safe to eat.Interpret and enforce government acts and regulations and explain required standards to agricultural
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Routine plant or facility walk-throughs — conduct under a senior inspector's direction at a USDA-regulated establishment.Standard checklists and inspection forms — complete accurately on assigned visits.Sampling techniques (swabs, residues, finished product) — execute per the applicable manual.Personal protective equipment and biosecurity — apply consistently in slaughter and processing environments.Standard regulations (FSIS Directives, FDA FSMA, state ag codes) — locate the cited section when prompted.Findings and corrective-action language — draft for a supervisor's review and sign-off.Equipment temperature, sanitation, and labeling checks — perform per the inspection plan.Photographic evidence and chain of custody — maintain on routine samples.Encounter notes and time-on-task logs — record accurately for each assignment.Safety in slaughter, hot rooms, and refrigerated storage — apply consistently across visits.
developing
Independent inspections of routine establishments — lead with documentation and findings.Noncompliance records (NRs) — write to FSIS or state-ag standards with citation accuracy.Sample-collection plans (residue, microbiological, foreign material) — execute per the applicable directive.Industry conversations during deficiencies — lead with professionalism and clear remedies.HACCP plan reviews — assess for adequacy against the regulation.Junior inspectors and trainees — train on documentation and judgment.Recall investigations and traceback — contribute to a regional team's effort.Routine enforcement actions (suspension, withdrawal) — execute under a senior inspector's lead.Cross-shift coverage at large plants — coordinate hand-offs and shared documentation.Cultural and language considerations — apply with workers and management.
proficient
Complex investigations and consumer-complaint reviews — lead independently across multiple establishments.Recall classification and recommendation — author with FSIS or FDA review partners.Cross-program inspections (HACCP + Sanitation + Animal Welfare) — manage with integrated documentation.Inspector teams across a district or circuit — lead with consistent enforcement and documentation.Industry training and outreach — deliver to plant operators on regulatory expectations.Enforcement actions (warning letters, plant suspensions) — defend with documented evidence.State or federal advisory committees — contribute to policy and standards.New-inspector training and field mentoring — lead in the district office.Equipment, sample, and budget management for the district — manage at unit scale.Process-control statistical reviews — interpret and apply to plant trend evaluations.
advanced
Regional or program-level leadership — set direction across staff, districts, and enforcement programs.Major incidents and outbreak response — lead in concert with public-health and industry partners.Policy and directive development — contribute substantively at agency level.Cross-agency coordination (USDA, FDA, CDC, state) — lead during emergent events.Industry-association and academic engagements — represent the program at conferences and panels.Inspector workforce strategy and certification — own across the region or program.Audits and second-look reviews — lead with credible findings and corrective plans.Major rulemakings and stakeholder engagement — represent the agency during public comment.Talent pipelines from agricultural and veterinary schools — build with measurable hiring and retention.Legacy mentorship of senior inspectors — institutionalize through standard training and certification.
Also known as
61 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Health InspectorAgriculture InspectorFlour InspectorField InspectorConsumer Compliance ExaminerAgricultural SpecialistCotton InspectorCompliance CoordinatorFood Safety AuditorFruit InspectorPoultry InspectorLand InspectorCotton ClasserConsumer Safety Inspector (CSI)Field Disease and Insect Control InspectorEggs InspectorInspectorGrain SamplerBrand InspectorShipping Point InspectorMeat InspectorInspector, Agricultural CommoditiesMeat and Poultry InspectorCertifierAgricultural InspectorTree InspectorSugar SamplerQC Inspector (Quality Control Inspector)Livestock Brands InspectorVegetable InspectorFood SanitarianConsumer Safety Officer (CSO)Grain InspectorCompliance AnalystPoultry Field Service TechnicianCompliance Technician (Compliance Tech)Dairy InspectorField Service Technician, PoultryQuality InspectorPlant Inspector