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Agriculture and Natural Resources

Agricultural Inspectors

Inspect agricultural commodities, processing equipment, and facilities, and fish and logging operations, to ensure compliance with regulations and laws governing health, quality, and safety.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Agricultural Inspectors
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Median pay

$50,990
Median annual pay for Agricultural Inspectors.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

1.5%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

2,200
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

14,700
Estimated U.S. employment for Agricultural Inspectors in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

+200
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

Bachelor's degree
Typical additional preparation: Moderate-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Active Listening
  2. 2Monitoring
  3. 3Reading Comprehension
  4. 4Critical Thinking
  5. 5Speaking
  6. 6Active Learning

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Customer and Personal Service
  2. 2Administration and Management
  3. 3Law and Government
  4. 4Administrative
  5. 5Mathematics
  6. 6Public Safety and Security

Abilities

  1. 1Problem Sensitivity
  2. 2Deductive Reasoning
  3. 3Inductive Reasoning
  4. 4Near Vision
  5. 5Oral Comprehension
  6. 6Oral Expression

Career interests

  1. 1Realistic
  2. 2Conventional
  3. 3Investigative
  4. 4Enterprising
  5. 5Social
  6. 6Artistic

Work styles

  1. 1Attention to Detail
  2. 2Dependability
  3. 3Integrity
  4. 4Cautiousness
  5. 5Self-Control
  6. 6Perseverance

Work activities

  1. 1Documenting/Recording Information
  2. 2Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  3. 3Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
  4. 4Getting Information
  5. 5Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
  6. 6Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships

Work context

  1. 1Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
  2. 2Contact With Others
  3. 3Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  4. 4Deal With External Customers or the Public in General
  5. 5Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results
  6. 6Freedom to Make Decisions

Representative tasks

  • Inspect food products and processing procedures to determine whether products are safe to eat.
  • Interpret and enforce government acts and regulations and explain required standards to agricultural workers.
  • Inspect agricultural commodities or related operations, as well as fish or logging operations, for compliance with laws and regulations governing health, quality, and safety.
  • Label and seal graded products and issue official grading certificates.
  • Monitor the operations and sanitary conditions of slaughtering or meat processing plants.
  • Take emergency actions, such as closing production facilities, if product safety is compromised.
  • Verify that transportation and handling procedures meet regulatory requirements.
  • Inspect the cleanliness and practices of establishment employees.

Software and tools

Microsoft Excel · in demandMicrosoft Office software · in demandMicrosoft Access · hot technologyMicrosoft Outlook · hot technologyMicrosoft PowerPoint · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technologyImage processing softwareMicrosoft Internet ExplorerOperational databases

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

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