Agricultural Inspectors
SOC code 45-2011 · O*NET-SOC 45-2011.00 · Little to some preparation needed
Agricultural Inspectors pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$49,940
a year
Hourly
$24.01
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$54,910
$26.40 per hour
Middle 50%
$42,330 – $64,500
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$37,020 – $79,580
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
14,410
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $37,020
- $17.80/hr
- 25th percentile
- $42,330
- $20.35/hr
- Median percentile
- $49,940
- $24.01/hr
- 75th percentile
- $64,500
- $31.01/hr
- 90th percentile
- $79,580
- $38.26/hr
What does an agricultural inspector do?
Inspect agricultural commodities, processing equipment, and facilities, and fish and logging operations, to ensure compliance with regulations and laws governing health, quality, and safety.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Inspect food products and processing procedures to determine whether products are safe to eat.
- Monitor the operations and sanitary conditions of slaughtering or meat processing plants.
- Label and seal graded products and issue official grading certificates.
- Inspect agricultural commodities or related operations, as well as fish or logging operations, for compliance with laws and regulations governing health, quality, and safety.
- 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.
- Verify that transportation and handling procedures meet regulatory requirements.
How to become an agricultural inspector
Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 56% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)56%
- Some College Courses12%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree12%
- Bachelor's Degree10%
Common questions
How much does an agricultural inspector earn?
The national median is $49,940 a year. The full range runs from $37,020 at the 10th percentile to $79,580 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become an agricultural inspector without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension3.8/5
- Active Listening3.8/5
- Monitoring3.8/5
- Critical Thinking3.6/5
- Speaking3.5/5
- Active Learning3.3/5
- Writing3.1/5
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service3.5/5
- Administration and Management3.4/5
- Law and Government3.3/5
- Administrative3.3/5
- Mathematics3.2/5
- Public Safety and Security3.2/5
- English Language3.1/5
- Education and Training2.9/5
Transferable strengths: Quality Control Analysis, Operations Monitoring, Judgment and Decision Making.