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Meat Inspector Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Inspect and check inventory of meat and supply * Rotate products to reduce the chance of any spoilage of meat to reduce waste and loss of profit Cleaning * Maintain a clean and sterile workspace

Butcher/Meat Cutter

Renner, SD · On-site

$14.75 - $19.50/hr

Receive and inspect incoming livestock or carcasses to ensure quality and freshness. Prepare and portion meat products for wholesale and retail sales, ensuring accurate weights and consistent quality.

Meat Cutter

Croghan, NY · On-site

$15.75 - $21/hr

Pre-operational inspection of equipment for cleanliness Setting up equipment Cut, grind, and prepare meats and smoked meat products for retail and custom sale according to cut sheet Keep knives sharp ...

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Meat Inspector information

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$19

$22

$25

How much do meat inspector jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for meat 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 in the Meat Inspector position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Meat Inspector, you need a solid understanding of food safety regulations, animal anatomy, and quality control procedures, typically supported by relevant certifications or completion of government-approved training programs. Familiarity with inspection tools, laboratory testing equipment, and digital record-keeping systems is often required. Strong attention to detail, communication skills, and the ability to work independently are valuable soft skills in this role. These qualifications ensure that meat products are safe for consumption and comply with all regulatory standards.

What are the typical challenges faced by Meat Inspectors on the job?

Meat Inspectors often encounter challenges such as working in cold or fast-paced processing environments, staying vigilant during repetitive inspections, and consistently applying complex food safety regulations. They may also need to handle difficult conversations with plant staff when identifying violations or unsafe practices. Despite these challenges, inspectors play a crucial role in protecting public health and often work alongside other quality assurance professionals. Regular training and a supportive team structure help overcome these challenges and promote professional growth in the field.

What is a Meat Inspector job?

A Meat Inspector is responsible for ensuring that meat products meet safety, quality, and regulatory standards. They examine livestock, carcasses, and packaging processes to identify potential contamination, disease, or defects. Inspectors follow government regulations and may work in slaughterhouses, processing plants, or distribution centers. Their role is crucial in protecting public health and maintaining food safety standards.

What cities are hiring for Meat Inspector jobs? Cities with the most Meat Inspector job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Meat Inspector jobs? The most popular types of Meat Inspector jobs are:
What states have the most Meat Inspector jobs? States with the most job openings for Meat Inspector jobs include:
Infographic showing various Meat Inspector job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $46,697 per year, or $22.5 per hour.
Meat Inspector Trainee - District 7

Meat Inspector Trainee - District 7

Ohio Department of Aging

Madison, OH • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 8 days ago


Job description

No ag background, no problem! You'll learn all about agriculture from our top-notch experts who dedicate their lives to a cleaner, safer, better Ohio.
The Division of Meat Inspection is seeking motivated candidates for a Meat Inspector Trainee, headquartered in Madison County. This position is responsible for:
  • Receives training and mentoring from higher level meat inspector to learn procedures and assists in conducting inspections of registered meat plants, private, commercial slaughtering plants and custom- exempt red meat and/or poultry processing facilities
  • Learns to perform ante mortem and postmortem inspections of carcasses and enforces state and federal sanitation, humane slaughter, meat processing and food safety policies, procedures and guidelines
  • Conducts visual examination of live animal and/or poultry prior to slaughter while looking for abnormalities in appearance and behavior such as sick, hurt and/or non-ambulatory
  • Contacts veterinarian for final disposition of unhealthy animals and records results
  • Makes determination of age of beef through dentition of cattle 30 months or older for removal of backbone due to concerns of BSE
  • Performs visual, tactile and/or incisory inspection of head, lymph nodes, viscera, carcass and offal to include liver, heart, brain and tripe to determine whether or not pathological conditions are present, and carcass is in clean and wholesome condition
  • Inspects all equipment, facilities and personnel to ensure acceptable sanitation levels and prohibiting use of unsanitary, unsafe and/or unapproved equipment and facilities until cleaned and/or corrected to include pest and rodent control, use of pesticides and chemicals, condition and use of potable water supply and waste and sewage systems
  • Halts production for poor sanitation and/or non-compliance
  • Assures proper disposition of unfit and condemned products, enforces sanitary dressing procedures and controls carcass branding
  • Learns labeling requirements and assists in reviewing labeling materials
  • Reviews proposed labels, product formulations, production procedures, quality control programs, quality control records and laboratory reports for state inspected meat and/or poultry establishments
  • Checks formulations of all types of meat food products for compliance with federal regulations and periodically monitors inspection procedures for maintaining compliance in production of meat products
  • Learns sampling procedures and assists higher level inspector with submission of product samples of products for analysis for microbiological adulterants and for consumer protection
  • Requires meat slaughter plants to conduct microbial testing for generic E.coli to verify adequacy of process controls for prevention of fecal contamination
  • Learns how to document verification results and navigate in the Public Health Information System (PHIS)
  • Assists higher level inspector with other meat inspection duties as assigned
  • Performs re-inspection of meat and/or poultry products and non-meat ingredients for such products intended for further processing or distribution
    Inspects critical control points in preparation and handling of meat or poultry products (i.e., monitors formulation, temperature controls, preparation procedures, use of restricted ingredients and sampling) to ensure compliance
  • Prepares, maintains and monitors required records, reports and formulations concerning product condemnations and retentions
    Controls all sanitation discrepancies and corrective actions
  • Assists in industry quality control programs
  • Analyzes report deviations, travel and pay reports and submits such through proper channels
  • Attends training courses (e.g., Incidence Command Systems training courses; Inspection System Procedures including Homeland Security)
  • Refresher seminars and on-job training activities
This position shall be filled in accordance with the provisions of the OCSEA Collective Bargaining Agreement. ODA bargaining unit members have selection rights before non-bargaining unit members. All other applications will only be considered if an internal bargaining unit applicant is not selected for this position.
We Support Diversity and Inclusion:
ODA values its internal diversity and pledges to cultivate an inclusive and engaging environment for all employees where differences are embraced and celebrated. The agency commits to building a workforce that champions the advancement of these principles and initiatives. The values on which these efforts are founded are respect, empathy, transparency, equality, and equal access.
What's in it for you:
At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:
Medical Coverage
Quality, affordable, and competitive medical benefits are offered through the Ohio Med PPO plan.
Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance
Dental, vision and basic life insurance premiums are free after one year of continuous service.
Time Away from Work and Work/Life Balance
Paid time off, including vacation, personal, and sick leave
11 paid holidays per year
Childbirth/Adoption leave
Ohio Public Employees Retirement System
OPERS is the retirement system for State of Ohio employees. The employee contributes 10% of his/her salary towards his/her retirement. The employer contributes an amount equal to 14% of the employee's salary. Visit the OPERS website for more information.
Deferred Compensation
The Ohio Deferred Compensation program is a 457(b) voluntary retirement savings plan. Visit the Ohio Deferred Compensation website for more information.
Maternity Benefits
• Expanded maternity health care benefits available to state employees enrolled in the Ohio Med PPO and Ohio Med NN (narrow network) medical plan options. Several prenatal, childbirth, and post-childbirth services are provided at no out-of-pocket cost to employees utilizing network providers.
• Examples of services now covered by network providers at 100% include:
o Prenatal care, including physician visits and examinations.
o Home health care services designated as maternity care (for expectant members on bed rest).
o Inpatient claims for all types of delivery.
o Inpatient NICU claims, from birth through discharge.
o Postpartum care, including office visits for follow-up, and procedures/treatments directly related to maternity.
• Medications prescribed for both antepartum and postpartum conditions (e.g., morning sickness, postpartum depression). Medical services provided by non-network providers will be processed at the applicable coinsurance, deductible, and out-of-pocket limits.
• Prescription drugs that are directly related to maternity care are covered with no copay. The State of Ohio has collaborated with the prescription drug third-party administrator (OptumRx) to provide a list of covered medications that can be approved for zero copay via prior authorization from providers.
At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website ! Our benefits package includes:
  • Medical Coverage
  • Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
  • Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
  • Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
  • Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
  • Public Retirement Systems ( such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS ) & Optional Deferred Compensation ( Ohio Deferred Compensation )
*Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.
Qualifications
1 course in animal science, agribusiness and/or food business management
OR 3 months experience in livestock industry/industrial meat and poultry processing
AND 1 course in biological sciences or chemistry (e.g., high school or college)
AND must be able to provide own transportation
OR
Equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications for Employment noted above.

Ohio Department of Aging logo

About Ohio Department of Aging

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

The Ohio Department of Aging, based in Columbus, OH, US, is within the healthcare and service industry, primarily serving older individuals and their care providers throughout the state. As a state government agency, its key role is to ensure the provision of quality services and supports that assist older Ohioans to live healthier, safer and more productive lives. The department functions through the official website, ohio.gov. It was established with a mission to position the State of Ohio on the leading edge of solution-driven innovation for the challenges and opportunities presented by Ohio's rapidly aging population.

Industry

Public administration

Company size

51 - 200 Employees

Headquarters location

Columbus, OH, US