Agricultural Inspectors Career, Salary and Skills
Agricultural Inspectors have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $49,940 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 14,410. Wage data is published for 118 locations.
Occupation 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.
O*NET code
45-2011.00
Job zone
2
Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Experience
Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
National salary and employment
Median annual
$49,940
Hourly median
$24.01
Employment
14,410
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Quality Control Analysis | 4.12 | 3.88 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.75 | 4.00 |
| Monitoring | 3.75 | 4.12 |
| Active Listening | 3.75 | 3.62 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.62 | 4.00 |
| Speaking | 3.50 | 3.88 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.25 | 3.38 |
| Active Learning | 3.25 | 3.38 |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.25 | 3.38 |
| Coordination | 3.12 | 3.00 |
Typical tasks
- 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.
- Write reports of findings and recommendations and advise farmers, growers, or processors of corrective action to be taken.
- Collect samples from animals, plants, or products and route them to laboratories for microbiological assessment, ingredient verification, or other testing.
- Examine, weigh, and measure commodities, such as poultry, eggs, meat, or seafood to certify qualities, grades, and weights.
- Provide consultative services in areas such as equipment or product evaluation, plant construction or layout, or food safety systems.
- Inspect agricultural commodities or related operations, as well as fish or logging operations, for compliance with laws and regulations governing health, quality, and safety.
Technology
- Image processing software
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Internet Explorer
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
- Operational databases
Agricultural Inspectors salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Agricultural Inspectors Salary in CAMedian $53,620 · Employment 2,340
- Agricultural Inspectors Salary in GAMedian $41,460 · Employment 1,390
- Agricultural Inspectors Salary in Los Angeles, CAMedian $63,490 · Employment 660
- Agricultural Inspectors Salary in TXMedian $49,940 · Employment 590
- Agricultural Inspectors Salary in IAMedian $49,600 · Employment 560
- Agricultural Inspectors Salary in FLMedian $43,990 · Employment 520
- Agricultural Inspectors Salary in PAMedian $55,650 · Employment 520
- Agricultural Inspectors Salary in INMedian $48,560 · Employment 480
- Agricultural Inspectors Salary in ILMedian $62,000 · Employment 470
- Agricultural Inspectors Salary in WAMedian $62,880 · Employment 450
- Agricultural Inspectors Salary in MOMedian $46,220 · Employment 450
- Agricultural Inspectors Salary in TNMedian $47,840 · Employment 410
Related careers
- Industrial Production ManagersNational median $126,060
- Quality Control Systems ManagersNational median $126,060
- Quality Control AnalystsNational median $62,280
- Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including HealthNational median $55,090
- Government Property Inspectors and InvestigatorsNational median $80,730
- Transportation InspectorsNational median $92,100
- Environmental Compliance InspectorsNational median $80,730
- Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and InspectorsNational median $115,160
Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.