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Agricultural Inspector

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.

List of Agricultural Inspector Job Duties

  • Examine, weigh, and measure commodities, such as poultry, eggs, meat, or seafood to certify qualities, grades, and weights.
  • Inspect or test horticultural products or livestock to detect harmful diseases, chemical residues, or infestations and to determine the quality of products or animals.
  • Compare product recipes with government-approved formulas or recipes to determine acceptability.
  • Inspect agricultural commodities or related operations, as well as fish or logging operations, for compliance with laws and regulations governing health, quality, and safety.
  • Direct or monitor the quarantine and treatment or destruction of plants or plant products.
  • Advise farmers or growers of development programs or new equipment or techniques to aid in quality production.

Skills Needed to be an Agricultural Inspector

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.

  • Consumer Safety Inspector (CSI)
  • Cotton Inspector
  • Agricultural Commodities Grader (ACG)
  • Health Inspector
  • Agriculture Inspector

Agricultural Inspector Job Outlook

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.

Do Agricultural Inspectors Make A Lot Of Money?

The typical yearly salary for Agricultural Inspectors is somewhere between $27,930 and $67,400.

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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 & Technology do Agricultural Inspectors Use?

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Agricultural Inspectors may use on a daily basis:

  • 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

What education or degrees do I need to become an Agricultural Inspector?

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What work experience do I need to become an Agricultural Inspector?

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Who Employs Agricultural Inspectors?

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

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

Those who work as an Agricultural Inspector sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:

References:

Image Credit: {} via CC0 Public Domain

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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