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Certified Milk Inspector Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Logistics Coordinator

Milbank, SD ยท On-site

$18.25 - $24.25/hr

This position manages milk pickup scheduling, dispatch activities, and fleet maintenance ... Track fleet maintenance intervals, regulatory inspection requirements, and equipment service ...

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Certified Milk Inspector information

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$12

$27

$52

How much do certified milk inspector jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for certified milk inspector in the United States is $27.36, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.51 and $31.49 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a certified milk inspector?

Certified Milk Inspectors are professionals trained and authorized to evaluate dairy farms, milk plants, and related facilities to ensure that milk and milk products meet safety and quality standards. They inspect equipment, storage processes, and sanitation practices in accordance with local, state, and federal regulations. Their work helps protect public health by ensuring that milk is produced, handled, and processed in a safe and sanitary manner. Certified Milk Inspectors often work for government agencies or health departments and must stay up to date with current industry standards and regulations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a certified milk inspector, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Certified Milk Inspector, you need expertise in dairy science, knowledge of sanitation standards, and typically a relevant certification or completion of a state-approved training program. Familiarity with laboratory testing equipment, regulatory compliance systems, and data reporting tools is essential. Attention to detail, strong observational skills, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for accurately assessing facilities and guiding dairy producers. These abilities ensure the safety and quality of milk products, protect public health, and support regulatory compliance in the dairy industry.

What are some common challenges that certified milk inspectors face during on-site inspections and how can they be addressed?

Certified Milk Inspectors often encounter challenges such as ensuring compliance with strict sanitation standards in diverse dairy farm environments, managing communication with farm owners and workers who may have varying levels of understanding about regulations, and keeping up with changes in local and federal guidelines. Successfully addressing these challenges requires strong attention to detail, effective interpersonal skills, and ongoing professional development. Building collaborative relationships with producers and staying current with industry updates can help inspectors navigate these situations and promote high-quality milk production.

What is the difference between Certified Milk Inspector vs Milk Quality Analyst?

AspectCertified Milk InspectorMilk Quality Analyst
Required CredentialsCertification in milk inspection, relevant state or federal licensesDegree in food science, microbiology, or related field; certifications may vary
Work EnvironmentInspection of dairy farms, processing plants, regulatory agenciesLaboratory testing, data analysis, quality assessment
Employer & IndustryGovernment agencies, dairy farms, processing companiesFood testing labs, dairy companies, quality assurance firms

The Certified Milk Inspector primarily focuses on inspecting dairy farms and processing facilities to ensure compliance with safety standards, while Milk Quality Analysts typically work in labs analyzing milk samples for quality and safety. Both roles are essential in maintaining dairy product standards but differ in their daily tasks and work environments.

What job categories do people searching Certified Milk Inspector jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Certified Milk Inspector jobs are:

Infographic showing various Certified Milk Inspector job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $56,905 per year, or $27.4 per hour.

Full-time

Posted 27 days ago


Job description

Work Schedule: 3rd Shift
Hours: 7:00PM - 5:30AM; with ability to work overtime, different days/shifts for coverage, extra days, and holidays as needed.
Job Function:
Plans and schedules testing activities, collects samples and performs quality tests on raw bulk ingredients, purchased products and processed milk, cream and other finished products. Informs on-sight Supervisor, QA Manager, and Plant Manager of any variations from quality standards and ensures that the nonconformance has been corrected. Ensures all receiving materials, in-process product and outbound product adheres quality standards.
Job Responsibilities:
1. Completes laboratory testing to meet standards set up in PMO, Standard Methods for the Dairy Industry and FDA 2400 methods requirements.
2. Pulls, logs and completes finished product and processing sample testing for all specification requirements on each product at the established sampling frequency. Physical, biological, chemical and organoleptic testing includes but is not limited to: butterfat and solids (Babcock, Lactoscope and CEM), cryoscope, temperature, acidity, homogenization efficiency, DMC, gram stains, agar/petrifilm plating, rapid-methods bioluminescence (EPIC), weights, code date verification, seal checks, pH, brix, coffee feathering, whipping, peroxide residuals, flavor, odor, appearance and shelf life analysis.
3. Uses experience to make determinations as to the suitability of raw materials and finished products elevating to Quality management where necessary. Troubleshoots basic analytical equipment issues.
4. Maintains certification by state for Beta-Lactam antibiotic testing to the Industry Supervisor level. Sets up negative and positive control points for Charm SLBL.
5. Maintains runs and notates daily butterfat and solids standards on analysis equipment. Performs calibration of testing equipment where necessary.
6. Maintains calibration of thermometers, pipettes and scales per regulatory requirements to ensure accuracy of ongoing checks. Maintains accurate temperature records for refrigerators, freezers and incubators.
7. Measures and maintains records of vitamin usage.
8. Sets up cryoscope baseline measurements for lactose reduced products.
9. Completes tank inventory recording butterfat, solids, acidity and DMC at the specific frequency per management.
10. Verifies non-conforming product (raw or finished), properly windows and tags affected product, issues hold reports and samples at time of hold from affected units where applicable. Coordinates resampling of hold product and completion of product disposition.
11. Verifies that plant equipment meets sanitation requirements prior to start up by thorough inspection and proper ATP swabbing. Maintains detailed records.
12. Maintains laboratory supply inventory notifying Laboratory Foreman upon need.
13. Audits CIP chemical concentrations for the various CIP systems to ensure compliance to company specifications.
14. Conducts environmental testing throughout facility including but not limited to: ATP swabbing, Listeria genus swabbing, air quality monitoring, water sampling, captive water sampling, etc.
15. Collects and ships requested product samples for R&D or customers/sales.
16. Ensures all laboratory documentation (forms, SOPs, etc.) is current and properly completed by lab personnel.
17. Trains Quality technicians and ensures that performance of testing meets all regulatory and internal specifications.
18. Maintains shelf life/retain bossies in a clean, orderly manner.
19. Maintains laboratory in a clean and organized manner per Master Cleaning Schedule which includes removal of trash, consolidation and organization of supplies, cleaning counters, windows and testing equipment, mopping floors, etc.
20. Any and all duties as directed by QA supervision and/or management.
Job Qualifications:
  1. Bachelor's in Science preferred; Associates of Science and/or 75+ credit hours towards the attainment of a bachelor's in science required.
  2. Minimum of two (2) years' experience in food manufacturing.
  3. At least one (1) year of experience in food microbiology, chemistry, dairy standards and CIP sanitation.
  4. At least one (1) year of experience with Microsoft Office

SQF Requirements/ Responsibilities:
  1. Maintain food safety and food quality through completing job tasks and maintaining the work area in a sanitary manner.
  2. Monitor incoming goods.
  3. Monitor incoming services.
  4. Monitor finished products.
  5. Participate in the Corrective Action program.
  6. Participate in the Hold and Release program.
  7. Complete equipment calibrations per schedule.
  8. Conduct inspections of equipment and facility.
  9. Report food safety problems to personnel with authority to initiate action

Maola Local Dairiesยฎ is a farmer-owned cooperative sustainably producing a full suite of nutritious dairy products. Maola processes milk, cream, butter, and dry milk powders through our network of six dairy processing plants. With a keen eye on quality, freshness, and love for the environment, Maola delivers dairy products that are both nutritious and sustainable to our local communities. For more information about Maola, please visit www.maolamilk.com
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.