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Meat Inspector Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Renner Corner Meats

Butcher/Meat Cutter

Renner, SD

$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.

Tiefenthaler Quality Meats

Meat Processor

Holstein, IA · On-site

Meat Processor / Meat Cutter / Meat Packager Tiefenthaler Quality Meats is seeking a self-starting ... Inspectors Keep product labels updated and within compliance Master the art of sausage and jerky ...

Tiefenthaler Quality Meats

Meat Processor

Holstein, IA · On-site

Meat Processor / Meat Cutter / Meat Packager Tiefenthaler Quality Meats is seeking a self-starting ... Inspectors Keep product labels updated and within compliance Master the art of sausage and jerky ...

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How much do meat inspector jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 9, 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.

How do you become a meat inspector?

To become a meat inspector, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, followed by specialized training in meat inspection or food safety. Many states require passing a written exam and gaining certification from agencies such as the USDA, which may also involve on-the-job training and periodic recertification.

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

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.

Is it hard to become a meat inspector?

Becoming a meat inspector typically requires completing relevant education or training, such as a high school diploma or equivalent, and passing a certification exam. The process involves understanding food safety standards, inspection procedures, and sometimes gaining experience in meat processing environments, making it a specialized but attainable career path for those with the necessary skills and training.

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.

More about Meat Inspector jobs
What cities are hiring for Meat Inspector jobs? Cities with the most Meat Inspector job openings:
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Meat Inspector jobs near you
Infographic showing various Meat Inspector job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 65% Full Time, and 35% Part Time. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $46,697 per year, or $22.5 per hour.

Meat Safety Inspector (3 positions)

State of Wisconsin

Dane, WI • On-site

$29.33 - $33.45/hr

Full-time

Retirement, PTO

Posted 4 days ago

State Of Wisconsin rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 129 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

20th of 50 rated states

Job description

Introduction
Who We Are: The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) works hard to protect and promote Wisconsin's agricultural industries and consumers. As an agency, we strive to serve the people of Wisconsin assuring: safe, wholesome food; consumer protection and fair business practices; animal and plant health; a clean environment; and strong agriculture and commerce. To successfully attain these goals, we recognize our success hinges on the diverse, well qualified, dedicated staff we employ and retain.
What We're Seeking: The DATCP's Division of Food and Recreation Safety, Bureau of Meat and Poultry Businesses (BMPB), is recruiting for three Meat Safety Inspector (Meat Safety Inspector - Entry or Objective) positions We will be filling the positions at the Entry or Objective level depending on the qualifications of the selected candidates.
These are field-based positions and will be assigned a headquarter location based on business needs. The selected applicants can select a headquarter in one of the following counties:
  • Position 1: Pepin/Pierce Counties
  • Position 2: Sheboygan County
  • Position 3: Dane County
When applying please select all counties in which you are willing to be headquartered.
The qualifying candidate is not required to live in a county headquarter location. However, there is no expense reimbursement for drive time and gas mileage to commute to the assigned headquarter location. The specific headquarter city used for determining payment of drive time and expense reimbursement will be determined at the time of hire.
This position offers the State of Wisconsin's excellent benefits package , which includes 3.5 weeks of paid time off to start, 9 paid holidays, accrued sick leave, multiple insurance options and an exceptional retirement plan!
By working for Wisconsin State Government, you may also be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program Please click the link for details.
Click here to check out what working for the State of Wisconsin is all about!
This posting may be used to fill future similar permanent, project, and/or LTE vacancies.
Position Summary
These are field inspection positions whose duties include conducting ante and post-mortem inspection of food animals and poultry in official meat establishments, as well as verifying humane handling, sanitary dressing, zero tolerance and specified risk material (SRM) requirements. In addition, this role verifies the establishment's sanitation standard operating procedures (SSOP), Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) plans and pathogen reduction programs comply with regulatory requirements. Duties also include verifying formulation, labeling, net weight requirements as well as collecting samples.
The work includes providing education, consultation, and regulation to licensed meat establishments, while maintaining professional relationships. The impact of the work is to assure safe and wholesome food, properly labeled, for human consumption; this includes ensuring establishments follow their SSOP and HACCP plan, and other prerequisite programs, in an effort to prevent the distribution of adulterated or misbranded product and reduce the risk of food borne disease.
Meat Safety Inspector - Entry Position Description
Meat Safety Inspector- Objective Position Description
Salary Information
The entry level Meat Safety Inspector - Entry is in schedule-range 05-64 with a starting pay of $26.57 - $27.54. The Meat Safety Inspector - Objective is in schedule-range 05-63 with a starting pay of $29.33- $33.45.
These positions are not represented by a collective bargaining unit. A 12-month probationary period is required. Pay for current state employees will be set in accordance with the State Compensation Plan at the time of hire.
Job Details
At DATCP, we strive to deliver efficient and effective programs and services to Wisconsin agriculture, consumers, and businesses. The Department has numerous on-the-job training (OJT) opportunities, unique to each Bureau.
These OJT opportunities include direct experience and practice through collaboration with co-workers/supervisor, peer mentoring, and job-specific training modules.
OJT for our Meat Safety Inspector's include:
Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) Inspection Methods
FSIS Further Processing and Labeling
Slaughter School
BMPB Regional Meetings
Job shadowing for inspection and field work
Conditions of Employment:
DATCP does not sponsor work visas. Any appointment made will be contingent on the selected applicant being able to provide documentation of eligibility to work in the United States.
A criminal background check will be performed on the selected applicant prior to an offer of employment.
Possession of a valid driver's license, or the ability to provide one's own transportation for work purposes, is required.
The employee will drive between inspection locations and may be required to spend time in overnight travel status (ability to stay overnight as needed 1 to 4 nights per week, on occasion). The ability to work nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime as needed, is required.
Travel is required for approximately 90% of this position's duties.
Ability to stand, walk, bend, squat, and lift up to 50 lbs.
Through use of sight and hearing must be able to observe physical surroundings.
Travel and outdoor work are required 12 months of the year.
Nearly all the work of these positions will be in the field, which includes working in inclement weather and/or extreme temperature, as well as working in environments that have slippery or uneven floors; cold, humid, or dry conditions; and may require engaging in difficult conversations with plant personnel. Experience working in challenging environments, which may include slaughter establishments, meat processing establishments, or food production facilities, is preferred.
Qualifications
Minimally qualified candidates at the Entry level will have:
Experience using computer software, programs, and databases in an educational or professional setting, including but not limited to, Outlook, Excel, SharePoint, Word, etc.
And at least one of the following:
Experience working in a regulated industry (retail food establishment, restaurant, product/facility inspections, meat/poultry processing, food processing plants, dairy plants/farms, etc.) which prepares food for human consumption; or
Experience demonstrating knowledge, judgment, interpretive ability, and technical skill associated with making a product which meets all prescribed standards of quality and confirms with approved production methods, or
Experience working in quality assurance or inspection verifying compliance with established standards, specifications, or regulations; or
Training or education in Animal Science, Meat Science, Biology, Microbiology, Food Science or another related field of study
Highly qualified candidates at the Entry level will have one or more of the following:
Experience interpreting and enforcing state and/or federal regulations
Training and/or experience with hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) plans
In addition to the Entry level requirements, the Objective level applicants will also have the following:
Completed Food Safety Inspection Services Inspection Methods training or its equivalent and have successfully completed a state or federal training and assessment program
Minimum of six months of prior experience independently performing ante and post-mortem inspection, as well as inspection tasks using PHIS covering processing tasks such as HACCP Verification, Pre-Op and Operational SSOP, General Labeling, Hazard Analysis Verification, etc.
How To Apply
If viewing this posting on an external site (such as indeed.com, etc.), please visit Wisc.Jobs and search for this Job ID: 21672 to complete your application for this posting.
DATCP is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities.
The State of Wisconsin offers a special program for qualified veterans with a 30% or greater service-connected disability. If you are a qualified veteran, please visit the Veterans Employment page for application instructions to be considered for the Veterans Non-Competitive Appointment program. For complete information on veterans hiring programs that may benefit you, please visit the Employment page on WDVA's website.
To be considered for this position, you will need to create an account (if you don't already have one) and apply online via the "Apply for Job" button listed on the top right of the job posting page. You will be required to upload a current resume and a letter of qualifications that clearly describes your qualifications and experience as they relate to the qualifications listed in this job posting. If you do not upload these materials, your application will not be considered. Review the applicant resources , including tips on how to write a resume and letter of qualifications.
Submitted application materials will be evaluated by one or more job experts. Candidates who are deemed eligible will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process, starting with those candidates who are deemed most qualified.
For general Wisc.Jobs user information and technical assistance, please check the Frequently Asked Questions . Please address questions regarding the application process to Jensen Peterson Jensen.peterson@wisconsin.gov
Deadline to Apply
The deadline to apply for this recruitment is 11:59 p.m. on Monday, August 17.

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