Life As an Agricultural Inspector
Position Description Inspect agricultural commodities, processing equipment, and facilities, and fish and logging operations, to ensure compliance with regulations and laws governing health, quality, and safety.
Agricultural Inspector Responsibilities
- Label and seal graded products and issue official grading certificates.
- Take emergency actions, such as closing production facilities, if product safety is compromised.
- Interpret and enforce government acts and regulations and explain required standards to agricultural workers.
- Inspect the cleanliness and practices of establishment employees.
- Review and monitor foreign product inspection systems in countries of origin to ensure equivalence to the U.S. system.
- Inquire about pesticides or chemicals to which animals may have been exposed.
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Agricultural Inspector Needed Skills
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.
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.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
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.
Related Job Titles
- Certifier
- Food Product Inspector
- Tobacco Grader
- Cattle Examiner
- Eggs Inspector
Agricultural Inspector Employment Estimates
In the United States, there were 15,600 jobs for Agricultural Inspector in 2016. 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. There will be an estimated 2,200 positions for Agricultural Inspector per year.

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 Salary
The salary for Agricultural Inspectors ranges between about $27,930 and $67,400 a year.

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 do I Become an Agricultural Inspector?
Individuals working as an Agricultural Inspector have obtained the following education levels:

How Long Does it Take to Become an Agricultural Inspector?

Where Agricultural Inspectors Work

The table below shows the approximate number of Agricultural Inspectors employed by various industries.

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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