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What You Need to Know About Agricultural Inspector

Agricultural Inspector Example Inspect agricultural commodities, processing equipment, and facilities, and fish and logging operations, to ensure compliance with regulations and laws governing health, quality, and safety.

A Day in the Life of an Agricultural Inspector

  • Set standards for the production of meat or poultry products or for food ingredients, additives, or compounds used to prepare or package products.
  • Advise farmers or growers of development programs or new equipment or techniques to aid in quality production.
  • Inspect food products and processing procedures to determine whether products are safe to eat.
  • Label and seal graded products and issue official grading certificates.
  • Examine, weigh, and measure commodities, such as poultry, eggs, meat, or seafood to certify qualities, grades, and weights.
  • Inquire about pesticides or chemicals to which animals may have been exposed.

Things an Agricultural Inspector Should Know How to Do

Below is a list of the skills most Agricultural Inspectors say are important on the job.

Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Types of Agricultural Inspector

  • Health Inspector
  • Inspector, Food Safety and Inspection Service (Inspector, FSIS)
  • Eggs Inspector
  • Tree Inspector
  • Route Inspector

Agricultural Inspector Employment Estimates

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 15,600 jobs in the United States for Agricultural Inspector. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 4.5% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 700 new jobs for Agricultural Inspector by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 2,200 job openings in this field each year.

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The states with the most job growth for Agricultural Inspector are Montana, North Dakota, and Washington. Watch out if you plan on working in Maryland, Vermont, or Ohio. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Agricultural Inspector Average Salary

Agricultural Inspectors make between $27,930 and $67,400 a year.

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Agricultural Inspectors who work in Connecticut, New York, or Vermont, make the highest salaries.

How much do Agricultural Inspectors make in different U.S. states?

State Annual Mean Salary
Arizona $35,650
Arkansas $44,320
California $49,950
Colorado $47,390
Connecticut $73,150
Delaware $45,130
Florida $36,350
Georgia $41,670
Idaho $41,330
Illinois $56,050
Indiana $46,070
Iowa $51,760
Kansas $44,750
Kentucky $42,690
Louisiana $51,140
Maryland $47,090
Minnesota $45,600
Mississippi $39,410
Missouri $42,610
Montana $43,930
Nebraska $43,140
Nevada $30,430
New Jersey $59,590
New Mexico $38,270
New York $63,330
North Carolina $43,530
North Dakota $43,130
Ohio $45,630
Oklahoma $37,810
Oregon $44,020
Pennsylvania $55,700
South Carolina $41,780
Tennessee $44,860
Texas $49,840
Vermont $58,960
Virginia $42,060
Washington $46,720
West Virginia $35,750
Wisconsin $47,350
Wyoming $30,570

What Tools do Agricultural Inspectors Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Agricultural Inspectors:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft Access
  • Word processing software
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer
  • Image processing software

How to Become an Agricultural Inspector

Education needed to be an Agricultural Inspector:

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How many years of work experience do I need?

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Who Employs Agricultural Inspectors?

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The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

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You May Also Be Interested In…

Those interested in being an Agricultural Inspector may also be interested in:

Career changers with experience as an Agricultural Inspector sometimes find work in one of the following fields:

References:

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More about our data sources and methodologies.

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