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Food Inspector Jobs in Iowa City, IA (NOW HIRING)

Novolex

Inspector - Quality

Cedar Rapids, IA

$29.87/hr

Novolex is a leading manufacturer of food, beverage, and specialty packaging that supports multiple ... Inspector |Cedar Rapids| HIRING IMMEDIATELY Available Shift: Monday-Friday, 7:00 am-3:30 pm ...

Novolex

Inspector - Quality

Cedar Rapids, IA

$29.87/hr

Novolex is a leading manufacturer of food, beverage, and specialty packaging that supports multiple ... Inspector |Cedar Rapids| HIRING IMMEDIATELY Available Shift: Monday-Friday, 7:00 am-3:30 pm ...

Novolex

Inspector - Quality

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

$29.87/hr

Novolex is a leading manufacturer of food, beverage, and specialty packaging that supports multiple ... Inspector |Cedar Rapids| HIRING IMMEDIATELY Available Shift: Monday-Friday, 7:00 am-3:30 pm ...

Novolex

Inspector - Quality

Cedar Rapids, IA

$29.87/hr

Novolex is a leading manufacturer of food, beverage, and specialty packaging that supports multiple ... Inspector |Cedar Rapids| HIRING IMMEDIATELY Available Shift: Monday-Friday, 7:00 am-3:30 pm ...

Elior North America

Food Service Worker

Iowa City, IA

$21/hr

Food Service Worker Job Reference Number: 39444 Employment Type: Full-Time , Onsite Segment: Corrections Brand: Summit Location: Iowa City , Iowa (US-IA) The Role at a glance: We are looking to add a ...

Elior North America

Food Service Worker

Iowa City, IA · On-site

$21/hr

Food Service Worker Job Reference Number: 39444 Employment Type: Full-Time , Onsite Segment: Corrections Brand: Summit Location: Iowa City , Iowa (US-IA) The Role at a glance: We are looking to add a ...

Hy-Vee Food Stores

Dishroom Clerk

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

$14.75 - $17/hr

Handles food in a safe manner and ensures the work area is always clean and neat. Ensures the ... Has contact with federal/state governmental or regulatory agencies regarding inspections. Are you ...

UnityPoint Health

Food Service Worker I

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

$15 - $18.25/hr

The Food Service Worker I provides safe, timely, and accurate preparation, assembly, delivery, and clean-up of meals and food items for patients, residents, and guests. This role supports quality ...

UnityPoint Health

Food Service Worker I

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

$15.15/hr

The Food Service Worker I provides safe, timely, and accurate preparation, assembly, delivery, and clean-up of meals and food items for patients, residents, and guests. This role supports quality ...

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All JobsFood Inspector JobsFood Inspector Jobs in Iowa City, IA

Food Inspector information

See Iowa City, IA salary details

$10.8K

$39.9K

$61.6K

How much do food inspector jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for food inspector in Iowa City, IA is $39,908.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $36,700.00 and $42,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a food inspector?

A food inspector makes sure that all food produced at a farm, processing plant, slaughterhouse, or other food production facility meets rigorous health and safety requirements before shipment. As a food inspector, your duties include performing physical inspections of the food, investigating health, sanitation, and safety practices at a facility, and writing reports based off of your investigations and interviews. You must be able to notice any potential for bacterial or other contamination and be willing to stop production to uphold public safety.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a food inspector?

To thrive as a Food Inspector, you need a solid understanding of food safety regulations, microbiology, and public health, usually supported by a relevant degree or certification. Familiarity with inspection tools, laboratory testing equipment, and reporting systems is essential for effective monitoring and documentation. Attention to detail, analytical thinking, and strong communication skills help Food Inspectors identify risks and collaborate with various stakeholders. These skills and qualities are crucial to ensure public safety, regulatory compliance, and the integrity of the food supply chain.

What are some common challenges food inspectors face during inspections, and how can they effectively address them?

Food Inspectors often encounter challenges such as non-compliance with safety regulations, language barriers with facility staff, and time constraints when inspecting multiple sites. To address these issues, inspectors rely on clear communication, detailed checklists, and ongoing training to stay current with evolving food safety standards. Building rapport with facility personnel and maintaining a thorough, objective approach helps ensure that all issues are identified and resolved efficiently, ultimately protecting public health.

What is the difference between Food Inspector vs Food Safety Officer?

AspectFood InspectorFood Safety Officer
Required CredentialsDegree in Food Technology, Microbiology, or related field; certification may be requiredSimilar qualifications as Food Inspector; often requires additional training in food safety standards
Work EnvironmentInspecting food production units, markets, and restaurantsOverseeing food safety compliance, conducting audits, and public awareness
Employer & Industry UsageGovernment agencies, food manufacturing, and inspection departmentsGovernment health departments, regulatory agencies, and food industry

Both Food Inspectors and Food Safety Officers work to ensure food quality and safety, often with overlapping roles. Food Inspectors primarily focus on inspecting food establishments and products, while Food Safety Officers handle broader compliance and public health initiatives. The roles are complementary, with similar qualifications and work environments, but differ slightly in scope and responsibilities.

How hard is it to be a food inspector?

Becoming a food inspector requires completing relevant education, such as a degree in food science, microbiology, or a related field, and passing a certification exam. The job involves inspecting food production facilities, enforcing safety standards, and often working in various environments, which can be physically demanding and require attention to detail. Experience and knowledge of food safety regulations are essential for success in this role.

How much do food inspectors make in the US?

Food inspectors in the United States earn a median annual salary of around $45,000 to $55,000, with experienced inspectors and those working in certain states earning higher wages. Salaries can vary based on location, level of experience, and certifications such as the ServSafe Food Protection Manager certification.
More about Food Inspector jobs

What are popular job titles related to Food Inspector jobs in Iowa City, IA?

For Food Inspector jobs in Iowa City, IA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Food Inspector jobs near you
Infographic showing various Food Inspector job openings in Iowa City, IA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 65% Full Time, 33% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $39,908 per year, or $19.2 per hour.

Inspector - Quality

Novolex

Cedar Rapids, IA

$29.87/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision

Posted 17 days ago

Novolex rating

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 103 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

64th of 121 rated packaging manufacturers

Job description

Why Choose Us?

Novolex is a leading manufacturer of food, beverage, and specialty packaging that supports multiple industries, including foodservice, restaurant delivery and carryout, food processing, grocery and retail, and industrial sectors. Novolex's manufacturing and sourcing expertise spans a diverse range of substrates, including resin, paper, molded fiber, aluminum, and more. We provide customers a broad array of stock and customized solutions with 120 product categories, 250 brands, and over 39,000 SKUs.

Our Sustainability Commitment

The Novolex sustainability vision is built upon three pillars: our products, our operations, and our people. Each is critically important to our growth and future as a business. These pillars form the foundation of our company-wide commitment to sustainability, helping us achieve our ambitious goals through our wide-ranging initiatives.


Novolex, Where Packaging Innovation Meets Career Opportunities!

Inspector|Cedar Rapids|HIRING IMMEDIATELY 

Available Shift:

Monday-Friday, 7:00 am-3:30 pm / Climate Controlled

Incentives:

Pay Rate

Min = $28.94   3 Months = $29.35   6 Months = $29.87   9 Months = $30.36   12 Months = $30.88

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  • Inspect machined and fabricated parts per blueprints.
  • Inspect electrical, pneumatic, and power transmission parts per blueprints and vendor specifications.
  • Communicate nonconformances to key stakeholders.

Qualifications

  • High School Diploma or GED
  • 1-3 years of experience as an inspector or 1-3 years of experience as a machinist.

#INDIIB


What You'll Get From UsBenefits

With safety as our top priority and a commitment to employee well-being an important focus, we offer comprehensive and competitive benefits that include medical, dental and vision insurance as well as a variety of other well-being resources focused on mental, physical and financial health. Specific benefits and well-being programs may vary depending on where you work.

Community Engagement

At Novolex, giving back to the local communities that support us is important. Our Focused Giving Program prioritizes support for organizations whose missions promote sustainability initiatives or address food and hunger needs. We also encourage facility level support of activities in the communities where our employees live and work.

Training and Development

We offer constant opportunities for advancement. From skills development to advanced education programs, training and development programs and courses are available through MyLearning. Programs include company and industry training curricula, support for formal education through the Tuition Reimbursement Program (Non-Union), and a Learning Management System that supports and enhances employee skills at all levels of the organization.

Novolex is committed to providing equal employment opportunity in all employment practices, including but not limited to selection, hiring, promotion, transfer, and compensation to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to age, race, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, handicap or disability, genetics, citizenship status, service member or veteran status, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law. Any individual who, because of his or her disability, needs an accommodation in connection with an aspect of the Company's application process should contact myHRservices@novolex.com.

Formerly Pactiv Evergreen

What Novolex employees say

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