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 AnalysisReading ComprehensionMonitoringActive ListeningCritical ThinkingSpeakingOperations MonitoringJudgment and Decision MakingActive LearningWritingSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisCoordinationComplex Problem SolvingInstructingTime ManagementService OrientationPersuasionNegotiationLearning StrategiesSocial PerceptivenessScienceMathematicsManagement of Personnel ResourcesOperation and ControlTroubleshootingTechnology DesignOperations AnalysisManagement of Material ResourcesManagement of Financial ResourcesProgrammingEquipment SelectionRepairingInstallationEquipment Maintenance
Knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceAdministration and ManagementLaw and GovernmentAdministrativePublic Safety and SecurityMathematicsEnglish LanguageEducation and TrainingFood ProductionComputers and ElectronicsProduction and ProcessingTransportationPersonnel and Human ResourcesBiologyPsychologyMechanicalCommunications and MediaEngineering and TechnologyChemistryTelecommunicationsGeographyEconomics and AccountingSociology and AnthropologyForeign LanguageDesignBuilding and ConstructionSales and MarketingTherapy and CounselingMedicine and DentistryPhilosophy and TheologyPhysicsHistory and ArcheologyFine Arts
Technology & tools
Image processing softwareMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Internet ExplorerMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WordOperational databasesWord processing software
Representative tasks
Documenting/Recording InformationCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsGetting InformationIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsWorking with ComputersOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsProcessing InformationTraining and Teaching OthersInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersPerforming General Physical ActivitiesOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicAnalyzing Data or InformationPerforming Administrative ActivitiesEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationScheduling Work and ActivitiesHandling and Moving ObjectsCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsThinking CreativelyCoaching and Developing OthersAssisting and Caring for OthersGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesControlling Machines and ProcessesSelling or Influencing OthersDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesStaffing Organizational UnitsRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
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
59 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Agricultural Commodities InspectorAgricultural Commodity GraderAgricultural InspectorAgricultural SpecialistAgriculture InspectorBrand InspectorCattle ExaminerCattle InspectorCertifierCompliance AnalystCompliance CoordinatorCompliance Technician (Compliance Tech)Consumer Compliance ExaminerConsumer Safety Inspector (CSI)Consumer Safety Officer (CSO)Cotton ClasserCotton InspectorDairy InspectorEggs InspectorField Disease and Insect Control InspectorField InspectorFish Hatchery InspectorFish InspectorFlour InspectorFood InspectorFood Product InspectorFood Safety and Inspection Service Inspector (FSIS Inspector)Food Safety AuditorFood Safety InspectorFood SanitarianForestry InspectorFruit InspectorFSQA Manager (Food Safety Quality Assurance Manager)Grain InspectorGrain SamplerHealth and Safety SpecialistHealth InspectorInspectorLand InspectorLivestock Brands Inspector