Agricultural inspectors
SOC Code: 45-2011Also known as:
Agricultural Commodities Inspector, Agricultural Commodity Grader, Agricultural Inspector, Agriculture Inspector, Brand Inspector
Median Annual Salary
$50,990
+1.5% growth (2024-2034)
2K
Openings/Year
15K
Current Jobs
What Agricultural inspectors 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.
💰 Salary
$50,990
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
+1.5%
As fast as average
🎓 Education
Bachelor's degree
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
2K
Projected average per year
📚 On-the-Job Training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Expected training period
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
14,700
Projected Employment (2034)
14,900
Related Careers
Agricultural technicians
$46,790 •
+4.3% growth
Food science technicians
$49,430 •
+4.8% growth
First-line supervisors of farming, fishing, and forestry workers
$59,330 •
+2.5% growth
Construction and building inspectors
$72,120 •
-0.8% growth
Transportation inspectors
$85,750 •
+1.7% growth
Top Skills Required
Quality Control Analysis
Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Monitoring
Critical Thinking
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- 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.
Technology & Tools
📚 Entry-Level Education
Bachelor's degree
Most common requirement
🎯 Recommended Education
High School Diploma
O*NET recommended level
Degree Programs for Agricultural inspectors
These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a agricultural inspectors:
Agricultural and Food Products Processing
168 degrees awarded •
16 colleges offer this program
Best Colleges for Becoming a Agricultural inspectors
Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become agricultural inspectors.
| # | College | Location | Related Degrees | Repit Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas A & M University-College Station | College Station, TX | 19 | B+ |
| 2 | Ohio State University-Main Campus | Columbus, OH | 8 | B+ |
| 3 | Kansas State University | Manhattan, KS | 27 | B |
| 4 | Washington State University | Pullman, WA | 2 | B |
| 5 | Michigan State University | East Lansing, MI | 1 | B |
| 6 | Garden City Community College | Garden City, KS | 40 | C+ |
| 7 | Minnesota West Community and Technical College | Granite Falls, MN | 7 | C+ |
| 8 | Angelo State University | San Angelo, TX | 5 | C+ |
| 9 | Morningside University | Sioux City, IA | 10 | C |
| 10 | Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute | Wooster, OH | 10 | C |
| 11 | Ivy Tech Community College | Indianapolis, IN | 10 | C |
| 12 | Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College | Asheville, NC | 9 | C |
| 13 | Schoolcraft Community College District | Livonia, MI | 8 | C |
| 14 | South Puget Sound Community College | Olympia, WA | 7 | C |
| 15 | Kankakee Community College | Kankakee, IL | 3 | C |
| 16 | Muskegon Community College | Muskegon, MI | 2 | C |
Want this ranking as a spreadsheet? Investor Pro+ members can export any Repit table to CSV. See plans →
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do agricultural inspectors make?
The median annual salary for agricultural inspectors is $50,990.
What education do agricultural inspectors need?
Most agricultural inspectors positions require a bachelor's degree.
Common degree programs include Agricultural and Food Products Processing.
Is becoming agricultural inspectors a good career choice?
Agricultural inspectors is projected to see +1.5% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which is about average for all occupations. With approximately 2,200 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for agricultural inspectors?
Top colleges for aspiring agricultural inspectors include
Texas A & M University-College Station, Ohio State University-Main Campus, Kansas State University, Washington State University, Michigan State University.
These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to agricultural inspectors?
Agricultural inspectors may also be known as: Agricultural Commodities Inspector, Agricultural Commodity Grader, Agricultural Inspector, Agriculture Inspector, Brand Inspector, Cattle Examiner, Cattle Inspector, Certifier, Compliance Analyst, Compliance Coordinator, Consumer Compliance Examiner, Consumer Safety Inspector (CSI), Consumer Safety Officer (CSO), Cotton Classer, Cotton Inspector, Dairy Inspector, Eggs Inspector, Field Disease and Insect Control Inspector, Fish Hatchery Inspector, Fish Inspector.
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.