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Grain Inspector Jobs in Decatur, IL (NOW HIRING)

The Andersons, Inc.

Worker II, Food Operations

Mansfield, IL · On-site

$14 - $17/hr

The position involves operating scales, assisting with truck dumping, testing and grading grain, monitoring bins and grain flow, and performing routine inspections to ensure quality, food safety, and ...

All JobsGrain Inspector JobsGrain Inspector Jobs in Decatur, IL

Grain Inspector information

See Decatur, IL salary details

$10.7K

$44.8K

$65K

How much do grain inspector jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for grain inspector in Decatur, IL is $44,755.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $34,900.00 and $56,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are grain inspectors and what do they do?

Grain inspectors are professionals who examine and grade grains such as wheat, corn, soybeans, and rice to ensure they meet quality and safety standards set by government agencies or industry guidelines. They sample grain shipments, check for moisture content, foreign materials, and signs of pests or disease, and issue official inspection certificates. Their work helps maintain the integrity of the grain supply chain and ensures fair trading practices between buyers and sellers.

What jobs pay 2000 a day?

Jobs that can pay around $2,000 a day typically include specialized roles such as high-level consultants, surgeons, or executive positions in certain industries. These roles often require advanced skills, certifications, or significant experience, and may involve long hours or high responsibility. Freelance or contract work in fields like software development or project management can also reach this earning level for experienced professionals.

How much does a grain inspector make?

A grain inspector typically earns between $35,000 and $60,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and employer. The role often requires knowledge of grading standards and may involve working in warehouses or grain elevators with regular hours.

How to become a grain inspector?

To become a grain inspector, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent and may pursue post-secondary education in agriculture, food science, or a related field. Certification from industry organizations and experience with grain grading, sampling, and testing procedures are often required or preferred by employers.

What Are the Duties of a Grain Inspector?

The duties of a grain inspector include inspecting containers, trucks, and railcars to ensure they meet requirements for carrying grain, ensuring they do not have leaks, infestations, or other issues. You are in charge of quality control and take samples of each grain load and test it using federal grain inspection procedures outlined by the Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) and Agricultural Marketing Act (AMA). Other responsibilities include preparing for grading by running a number of tests and awarding each load with a corresponding grade based on moisture content, weight, and foreign material presence. Other tests may be required such as for measuring mycotoxins, proteins and oil, and more. You document all tests that you run and keep a record of all results and grades.

What are some common challenges faced by Grain Inspectors during the harvest season, and how can they be effectively managed?

During the harvest season, Grain Inspectors often face increased workloads and tighter deadlines due to the high volume of grain that needs to be evaluated quickly and accurately. Adapting to varying environmental conditions, such as extreme temperatures or dust, is another challenge. Effective time management, teamwork, and clear communication with farmers and facility staff are essential for maintaining accuracy and efficiency. Employers typically provide additional training and support during peak periods to help inspectors manage these demands.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Grain Inspector, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Grain Inspector, you need a solid understanding of agricultural practices, grain quality standards, and sampling procedures, often supported by a high school diploma and on-the-job training or certification. Experience with grading equipment, moisture meters, and government or industry-specific inspection software is typically required. Attention to detail, integrity, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for ensuring accurate assessments and interacting with farmers and buyers. These skills and qualifications are vital to maintaining product quality, regulatory compliance, and fair trade within the grain industry.

What is the difference between Grain Inspector vs Grain Sampler?

AspectGrain InspectorGrain Sampler
CertificationsOften requires USDA or state certificationsMay require similar certifications, but less comprehensive
Work EnvironmentInspecting grain at storage facilities, mills, or portsCollecting samples at storage sites, during transport, or at processing plants
Industry UsageUsed in grain grading, quality control, and regulatory compliancePrimarily involved in sampling for testing and analysis

While both roles involve working with grain, a Grain Inspector focuses on evaluating grain quality and grading, often requiring certifications and regulatory knowledge. A Grain Sampler primarily collects samples for testing, which may be part of the inspection process but involves less certification. Both roles are essential in the grain industry and often work together to ensure quality and compliance.

What type of inspectors make the most money?

Among inspection roles, specialized inspectors such as quality control managers or senior agricultural inspectors tend to earn higher salaries. Grain inspectors with advanced certifications or experience in large-scale operations may also earn more, especially if they oversee multiple facilities or have supervisory responsibilities.
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Grain Inspector jobs near you
Infographic showing various Grain Inspector job openings in Decatur, IL as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 8% Part Time, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $44,755 per year, or $21.5 per hour.
Operations Specialist II

Operations Specialist II

Clarkson Grain Co. Inc.

Cerro Gordo, IL • On-site

$16.23 - $19.71/hr

Full-time

Posted 27 days ago

Job description

ABOUT CLARKSON GRAIN COMPANY

For over 50 years, Clarkson has been an industry pioneer in the production and supply of identity-preserved grains, oilseeds, and ingredients for food and feed industries worldwide. We work directly with end users to identify, select, and supply hybrids, varieties, and performance characteristics that improve end-product quality, enhance market access, increase process yield, and strengthen client differentiation.

Clarkson's transparent and fully traceable system connects Midwest farmers to premium domestic and international markets. Through our aggregation and cleaning facilities, corn and soybeans are prepared for final use; cleaned, conditioned, and shipped in bulk or bagged for delivery worldwide.

The 'Clarkson Way' is our long-proven approach to serving customers, supporting farmers, and managing quality with care, consistency, and integrity. It reflects the discipline, practicality, and customer-driven problem-solving that have defined Clarkson for more than five decades.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • SCALE, BAG, AND STITCH:  Efficiently and effectively, with the appropriate attention to detail, packages and stitches bags and totes, inclusive of scaling totes (i.e. scoop corn in and out to achieve desired weight).

  • LOADING/UNLOADING TRUCKS: Ensures traceability standards are met by differentiating between varieties with the appropriate attention to detail while effectively and efficiently loading/unloading hopper bottom trucks.

  • SWEEP BINS: Ensures traceability standards are met by effectively and efficiently sweeping bins to prepare them for the next variety then communicating completion with the Quality Assurance Specialist / Scale Operator and Production Supervisor.

  • LOAD AND UNLOAD CORN:  Efficiently and effectively operates the slip sheeter or fork truck to load containers and box vans with the appropriate attention to detail (load right product, read the right paperwork, do not mix up product or break bags).

  • CLEAN FACILITY: Cleans facility inside and outside autonomously and proficiently with an appropriate attention to detail as well as efficiency.

  • INSPECT, CLEAN, AND PREPARE CONTAINERS:  Inspects, cleans, and prepares (i.e. install liners, when requested) containers so they are in an appropriate condition for loading to prevent rejections.  Takes pictures of each step to verify process.

  • COMPLETE TRACEABILITY-RELATED REPORTS AND DOCUMENTS: Accurately completes and submits reports and documents in a timely manner. (i.e. maintains the bin measurement reports, pit change overs, and bin entry permits)

  • MEASURE BINS: Effectively measures bins and accurately completes paperwork for quality inspection and monitoring purposes.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

  • Calculate simple math equations and read measurement devices (i.e. scale, measuring tape, etc.)
  • Lift up to 55.2 pounds continuously.
  • Complete forklift training certification within 30 days

CORE COMPETENCIES

Communication

Energy

Safety Focus

Work Standards

Adaptability

Influencing

Quality Orientation

Initiating Action

Technical/Professional Knowledge & Skills

QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

  • HS diploma, GED, or equivalent experience

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Requires a valid operator's license or reliable mode of transportation to travel within the trade territory. 
  • Willing and able to work overtime, as required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the described essential functions.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee must have the ability to regularly use arms, hands, and fingers to handle, feel, reach, grasp, turn, lift, move, twist or bend.  This position frequently requires the ability to stand for long periods of time and frequently walk, climb, or balance to reach high destinations, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.  The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 55.2 pounds. 

Specific talking, hearing, smelling, and vision abilities required by this job include talking with employees; listening to conversations; visual abilities job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, night vision, depth of perception, and ability to adjust focus; and have a sense of smell to identify issues related to the facility.

When operating vehicles or machinery, must have the ability to quickly respond with the hand, arm, or foot to a sound, light, or object(s) when it appears; the ability to know your location in relation to the environment or to know where other objects are in relation to you and quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a vehicle or machinery to exact positions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

While performing the responsibilities of the job, these work environment characteristics are representative of the environment the employee will encounter.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.  While performing the duties of this job, this position may be exposed to moving mechanical parts, as well as dirty, wet, dry, hot, and cold working conditions.  In addition, the employee may occasionally work in high precarious places and closed in surroundings.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.

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