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Dog Food Tester Jobs (NOW HIRING)

RTE Peeler Clerk

Tracy, CA · On-site

$18 - $24/hr

... dogs including packaging for delivery to Costco food courts and for shelf retail product. Job ... Performs quality control testing including, temperature, length of product, weights, and solid seal ...

RTE Peeler Clerk

Morris, IL · On-site

$16.50 - $22/hr

... dogs including packaging for delivery to Costco food courts and for shelf retail product. Job ... Performs quality control testing including, temperature, length of product, weights, and solid seal ...

RTE Peeler Clerk

Morris, IL · On-site

$16.50 - $22/hr

... dogs including packaging for delivery to Costco food courts and for shelf retail product. Job ... Performs quality control testing including, temperature, length of product, weights, and solid seal ...

Food Production Team Member

Salem, OH · On-site

$15 - $19.80/hr

Pre-employment drug testing required * Must be legally authorized to work in the United States ... We manufacture high-quality bacon, ham, hot dogs, lunch meats, pepperoni, salami, and specialty ...

Food Production Team Member

Salem, OH · On-site

$15 - $19.80/hr

Pre-employment drug testing required * Must be legally authorized to work in the United States ... We manufacture high-quality bacon, ham, hot dogs, lunch meats, pepperoni, salami, and specialty ...

Pre-employment drug testing required * Must be legally authorized to work in the United States ... We manufacture high-quality bacon, ham, hot dogs, lunch meats, pepperoni, salami, and specialty ...

Food Production Team Member

Salem, OH · On-site

$15 - $19.80/hr

Pre-employment drug testing required * Must be legally authorized to work in the United States ... We manufacture high-quality bacon, ham, hot dogs, lunch meats, pepperoni, salami, and specialty ...

Food Production Team Member

Salem, OH · On-site

$15 - $19.80/hr

Pre-employment drug testing required * Must be legally authorized to work in the United States ... We manufacture high-quality bacon, ham, hot dogs, lunch meats, pepperoni, salami, and specialty ...

Pre-employment drug testing required * Must be legally authorized to work in the United States ... We manufacture high-quality bacon, ham, hot dogs, lunch meats, pepperoni, salami, and specialty ...

$90 - $120/hr

... food - developed with veterinarians and with the goal of enabling every dog to live a long, healthy ... Drive further growth through structurally testing new performance marketing channels (e.g., TikTok ...

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Machine Operator

Grand Prairie, TX · On-site

$16 - $19/hr

The Machine Operator runs filling equipment used in food production -- including Hayssen, Sanko ... Company Description Packing dog beds

Showing results 41-60

Dog Food Tester information

See salary details

$10

$38

$62

How much do dog food tester jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for dog food tester in the United States is $38.36, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.39 and $50.72 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What challenges do dog food testers face when evaluating new products?

Dog Food Testers often encounter the challenge of maintaining objectivity and consistency when assessing products, as taste and texture can be subjective. They also need to adhere to strict hygiene and safety standards, especially when handling raw or experimental ingredients. Collaborating closely with food scientists and veterinarians is essential to ensure products meet nutritional and palatability requirements for pets. Staying updated on industry regulations and evolving pet dietary trends is another important aspect of the role.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a dog food tester?

To thrive as a Dog Food Tester, you need a keen sense of taste and smell, familiarity with pet nutrition, and often a background in food science or animal nutrition. Experience with laboratory equipment, food safety protocols, and quality assurance systems is typically required. Attention to detail, strong observational skills, and the ability to communicate findings clearly are valuable soft skills for this position. These capabilities are important to ensure that pet food products meet safety, quality, and palatability standards before reaching the market.

How much do dog food testers make a year?

Dog food testers typically earn between $20,000 and $40,000 annually, depending on experience and employer. The role often involves sensory evaluation skills and may be part-time or seasonal, with some positions offering higher pay for specialized testing or quality control work.

What is a dog food tester?

Dog food testers are professionals who evaluate the quality, taste, aroma, and nutritional value of dog food products. They may work for pet food companies to ensure products meet safety standards and appeal to both pets and their owners. Testing can involve both sensory analysis (smelling and tasting) and technical assessments, and may also include feeding trials with dogs. Their feedback helps manufacturers develop and improve pet food recipes.

How to become a dog food tester?

To become a dog food tester, individuals typically need a strong understanding of pet nutrition and experience with animals. Some roles may require a background in veterinary science or animal care, and testers often evaluate product taste, texture, and safety in controlled environments. Good observational skills and attention to detail are important for this job.

What is the difference between Dog Food Tester vs Pet Food Quality Inspector?

AspectDog Food TesterPet Food Quality Inspector
CredentialsMinimal; sensory evaluation training often preferredRelevant certifications in food safety and quality assurance
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, testing facilities, or pet food manufacturing plantsManufacturing plants, laboratories, or quality control departments
Industry UsagePrimarily in pet food companies for product testingIn food manufacturing for quality assurance and compliance
Search & Comparison IntentYes, often compared for sensory and quality rolesYes, related to quality control in pet food industry

While both roles focus on pet food quality, Dog Food Testers primarily evaluate sensory qualities like taste and texture, often with minimal formal credentials. Pet Food Quality Inspectors have a broader scope, including ensuring compliance with safety standards and certifications. Both work in similar environments such as laboratories and manufacturing plants, but their responsibilities differ in scope and required qualifications.

More about Dog Food Tester jobs
What cities are hiring for Dog Food Tester jobs? Cities with the most Dog Food Tester job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Dog Food Tester jobs? The most popular types of Dog Food Tester jobs are:
What states have the most Dog Food Tester jobs? States with the most job openings for Dog Food Tester jobs include:
Infographic showing various Dog Food Tester job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 70% Full Time, and 30% Part Time. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $79,791 per year, or $38.4 per hour.

$18 - $24/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 18 days ago


Costco rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 1,918 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

2nd of 39 rated national retailers


Job description


California applicants: Please click here to review the Costco Applicant Privacy Notice.
The jobs listed are examples of the typical kinds of positions that Costco may hire for when openings exist. The listing does not mean that any positions are currently open or available at Costco.
Position Summary
The Hot Dog Ready to Eat (RTE) Peeler Clerk processes RTE hot dogs including packaging for delivery to Costco food courts and for shelf retail product.
Job Duties
  • Sets up peelers, brine, rapid pack guards, film rolls, and ancillary equipment as assigned.
  • Breaks down equipment as assigned.
  • Moves bins of hot dog links and feeds the hot dogs into peeler for removal of casings; cleans up workstation as needed. Machine Setup: Wipes down wet surfaces. Sets up the peller, installs blades, adjusts steam, sets up guards and tooling.
  • Sets up carts and luggers needed for rework and inedible products. Open salt bags to make brine. Performs brine line checks and monitors brine systems. The PM shift will breakdown all described equipment at the end of the shift to prepare for sanitation of the department.
  • Inspects product for quality control with manual replacement of defective product for acceptable hot dogs.
  • Performs floor clean up and housekeeping duties within the packing department, restocks bins with product, and removes bins full of rejected product. Performs quality control testing including, temperature, length of product, weights, and solid seal checks.
  • Ensures proper cleanup and disposal of hazardous materials.
  • Ability to operate vehicles, equipment or machinery.
  • Assists with department duties as necessary.
  • Assists in other departments of the warehouse as necessary.

For additional information about pay ranges, click here.
We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, health benefits - medical/dental/vision/hearing aid/pharmacy/behavioral health/employee assistance, health care reimbursement account, dependent care assistance plan, short-term disability and long-term disability insurance, AD&D insurance, life insurance, 401(k), stock purchase plan to eligible employees.
Apart from any religious or disability considerations, open availability is needed to meet the needs of the business. If hired, you will be required to provide proof of authorization to work in the United States.
Job Description Posting Updated: July 2026 Job Code: 0548

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About Costco

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Costco is a membership warehouse club, dedicated to bringing our members the best possible prices on quality brand-name merchandise. With more than 800 locations worldwide, Costco provides a wide selection of merchandise, plus the convenience of specialty departments and exclusive member services, all designed to make your shopping experience a pleasurable one. Today, as the company evolves, it stays true to the qualities that helped attract and retain millions of loyal members around the globe: Commitment to quality. Costco warehouses carry about 4,000 SKUs (stock keeping units) compared to the 30,000 found at most supermarkets. By carefully choosing products based on quality, price, brand, and features, the company can offer the best value to members.

Industry

Retail

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Issaquah, WA, US

Year founded

1983