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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.
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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.
Related Job Titles
- 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.
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.
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?
What work experience do I need to become an Agricultural Inspector?
Who Employs Agricultural Inspectors?
The table below shows the approximate number of Agricultural Inspectors employed by various industries.
Related Careers
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:
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More about our data sources and methodologies.