ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Meat And Poultry Inspector Jobs (NOW HIRING)

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsMeat And Poultry Inspector Jobs

Meat And Poultry Inspector information

See salary details

$19

$22

$25

How much do meat and poultry inspector jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for meat and poultry inspector in the United States is $22.45, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.43 and $24.52 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Meat and Poultry Inspector, you need a thorough understanding of food safety regulations, inspection procedures, and relevant scientific principles, usually supported by a high school diploma or higher education in food science or a related field. Familiarity with inspection tools, laboratory testing equipment, and USDA or FSIS regulatory systems is essential. Attention to detail, integrity, and strong communication skills help inspectors effectively identify issues and interact with facility staff. These competencies are crucial to ensure public health by maintaining safety and quality standards in meat and poultry production.

What are Meat and Poultry Inspectors?

Meat and Poultry Inspectors are professionals responsible for ensuring that meat, poultry, and related products are safe, wholesome, and properly labeled according to government regulations. They examine animals before and after slaughter to check for signs of disease and contamination. Inspectors also monitor processing plants to ensure sanitary conditions, proper handling, and adherence to safety standards. Their work helps protect public health by preventing unsafe meat and poultry products from reaching consumers.

What is the difference between Meat And Poultry Inspector vs Meat Processing Worker?

AspectMeat And Poultry InspectorMeat Processing Worker
CredentialsFood safety certifications, state or federal inspection trainingMinimal certifications, on-the-job training
Work EnvironmentInspection stations, processing plants, regulatory settingsProcessing lines, slaughterhouses, packaging areas
Employer & IndustryGovernment agencies, meat processing companies

Meat And Poultry Inspectors focus on ensuring meat safety and compliance with regulations, often working in inspection roles within processing plants or government agencies. Meat Processing Workers handle the physical tasks of processing meat products, working directly on the production line. While both roles are essential in the meat industry, they differ mainly in responsibilities, certifications, and work environment.

What are some common challenges faced by Meat and Poultry Inspectors on the job?

Meat and Poultry Inspectors frequently encounter challenges such as maintaining strict compliance with evolving food safety regulations and managing high-volume production environments. They must remain vigilant for potential hazards while working in cold, loud, and fast-paced facilities. Additionally, inspectors often navigate difficult conversations when enforcing standards with plant staff, requiring strong communication and conflict-resolution skills. The role demands both attention to detail and the ability to stay current with industry best practices.
More about Meat And Poultry Inspector jobs
What states have the most Meat And Poultry Inspector jobs? States with the most job openings for Meat And Poultry Inspector jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Meat And Poultry Inspector jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Meat And Poultry Inspector jobs are:
What are popular job titles related to Meat And Poultry Inspector jobs? For Meat And Poultry Inspector jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Meat And Poultry Inspector jobs near you
Meat and Poultry Inspector #W0023

Meat and Poultry Inspector #W0023

Virginia Department of Human Resource Management

Lynchburg, VA • On-site

$21.25 - $29.44/hr

Full-time

Posted 24 days ago

Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority rating

4.9

Company rating: 4.9 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

636th of 645 rated public administrative organizations

Job description

Meat and Poultry Inspector #W0023
Job no: 5105508
Work type: Wage (Hourly)
Location: Amherst, Virginia, Appomattox, Virginia, Buckingham, Virginia, Lynchburg, Virginia
Categories: Applied Sciences and Natural Resources
Title: Meat and Poultry Inspector #W0023
State Role Title: Environmental Specialist I
Hiring Range: $21.25 - $29.44 per hour
Pay Band: 4
Agency: Virginia Department of Agriculture
Location: MOBILE WORKERS SW
Agency Website: https://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/
Recruitment Type: General Public - G
Job Duties
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is seeking a qualified individual for the position of Meat and Poultry Inspector with the Office of Meat and Poultry Services. While the territory for this position is statewide, for convenience, the selected candidate must reside in the Lynchburg City/Amherst County/Appomattox County/Buckingham County area. Duties include conducting ante-mortem and post-mortem inspections; verification of the food safety systems in assigned meat and poultry slaughter and processing facilities; enforcement of the Humane Handling Act; collection of official samples; and entering data for inspection reports. OMPS Inspector's enforce the Federal Meat Inspection Act, Poultry Products Inspection Act, and related state regulations.
This position requires travel to various facilities and may involve occasional overtime. The work schedule fluctuates based on agency needs, sometimes with little notice, and includes working weekends, holidays, rotating shifts, and statewide travel (overnight travel is reimbursable). It does not involve a regular set schedule or work hours/days, so the selected applicant must have the flexibility to work as needed or not at all during times there are no agency needs.
A state car may be available to the selected individual for business use only; otherwise, mileage driven while performing official duties in a personal vehicle will be reimbursed at the prevailing allowable rate. This position involves considerable physical activity.
This is a reposting; previous applicants do not need to apply.
Minimum Qualifications
Knowledge of the meat and poultry slaughter and processing operations is recommended. The ability to interpret, assure and enforce compliance with regulations by analyzing and assessing findings to perform logical, supportable conclusions is needed and often requires independently applying basic scientific principles, including mathematical or statistical functions, while working without direct supervision. Must demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills including the ability to accurately prepare technical reports as well as display excellent customer service skills. Computer proficiency is needed along with experience using standard business office software applications. Ability to recognize animal characteristics and behavior; humane handling of animals and identify abnormal conditions while conducting inspection procedures. Must have and maintain a valid driver's license with a driving record that reflects a sense of responsibility for highway safety. Must be able to meet the physical demands of the position, including the ability to distinguish colors, as well as to meet the requirements for federal compliance certification within the first twelve months of employment. HS Diploma/GED required.
Additional Considerations
A combination of related education, training and experience indicating possession of the preceding knowledge, skills, and abilities to include knowledge of animal and poultry science, food science, food microbiology/chemistry along with enforcement and interpretation of government regulations is preferred. A working knowledge of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) principles as applied to the meat industry is also preferred along with meat/poultry processing work experience.
Special Instructions
You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to "Your Application" in your account to check the status of your application for this position.
The Immigration Reform and Control Act requires that before we can legally employ an individual, we must verify both the identity and employment authorization of the individual. VDACS uses Form I-9 to satisfy this requirement. Form I-9, instructions, and the List of Acceptable Documents can be found at https://www.uscis.gov/i-9. VDACS does not offer sponsorship for employment purposes; therefore, the selected candidate will need to be able to provide acceptable documents in accordance with Form I-9 (use link above for more details). Additionally, VDACS participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. For additional assistance with this requirement, please contact hr.vdacs@vdacs.virginia.gov.
Final candidate must successfully complete a fingerprint-based criminal background check.
If you have been affected by DHRM Policy 1.30 Layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card), you must submit the card before the closing date for this position. The Card may be submitted with the state application as an attachment.
Contact Information
Name: Human Resources
Phone: 804-786-3531
Email: hr.vdacs@vdacs.virginia.gov
In support of the Commonwealth's commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.
Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.
Advertised: 28 May 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: 12 Jun 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Whatsapp Facebook LinkedIn Email App

Apply