1

Usda Meat Inspection Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Other responsibilities include ensuring all workstation have passed USDA Inspections, promoting a ... USDA (meat), and maintenance employees. Monitors slaughter area by evaluating product and ...

Role and Responsibilities • Perform daily visual walk around inspections of all equipment to ... USDA meat & poultry jurisdiction. All Kilcoy team members are responsible for food safety and ...

3rd Warehouse Team Lead

Mundelein, IL · On-site

$18.75 - $23.75/hr

Role and Responsibilities · Perform daily visual walk around inspections of all equipment to ... USDA meat & poultry jurisdiction. All Kilcoy team members are responsible for food safety and ...

New

IA · On-site

Other responsibilities include ensuring all workstation have passed USDA Inspections, promoting a ... USDA (meat), and maintenance employees. Monitors slaughter area by evaluating product and ...

Former or Retired USDA FSIS Inspector * Strong knowledge of USDA regulations & HACCP * Slaughterhouse or meat processing experience * Leadership and communication skill. Preferred: * HACCP certified

next page

Showing results 1-20

USDA Meat Inspection information

See salary details

$19

$22

$25

How much do usda meat inspection jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for usda meat inspection 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 USDA Meat Inspector, and why are they important?

To thrive as a USDA Meat Inspector, you need a solid understanding of food safety regulations, animal science, and inspection procedures, typically supported by relevant training or an associate degree in a related field. Familiarity with inspection tools, laboratory testing equipment, and USDA data management systems is essential. Attention to detail, integrity, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for identifying violations and coordinating with plant personnel. These skills and qualities ensure the safety and quality of meat products, protecting public health and maintaining regulatory compliance.

What are USDA meat inspectors and what do they do?

USDA meat inspectors are professionals employed by the United States Department of Agriculture to ensure that meat and poultry products are safe, wholesome, and correctly labeled and packaged. They inspect facilities that process meat and poultry, examine animals before and after slaughter, and verify that sanitary and safety standards are maintained. Their work helps to protect public health by preventing contaminated or unfit meat from entering the food supply. Inspectors also enforce federal regulations and may collect product samples for laboratory analysis.

What is the difference between Usda Meat Inspection vs Meat Processing Technician?

AspectUsda Meat InspectionMeat Processing Technician
CertificationsUSDA certification, food safety trainingFood safety, equipment operation, sometimes USDA or state certifications
Work EnvironmentInspection stations, slaughterhouses, processing plantsProcessing plants, production lines, meat packaging facilities
Job FocusInspecting meat for safety, compliance, and qualityProcessing, packaging, and handling meat products

While both roles work within the meat industry, USDA Meat Inspection focuses on ensuring meat safety and compliance through inspection, whereas Meat Processing Technicians handle the processing and packaging of meat products. Both require food safety knowledge, but USDA Meat Inspectors primarily perform oversight and compliance checks, often with USDA certification, in inspection environments. Meat Processing Technicians are more involved in the production process, operating equipment and preparing meat for sale.

What is the highest salary of a food inspector?

The highest salary for a USDA meat inspector can exceed $70,000 annually, especially for experienced inspectors or those in supervisory roles. Salaries vary based on location, experience, and level of responsibility, with some inspectors earning over $80,000 with overtime and benefits.

What do meat inspectors make?

Meat inspectors working for the USDA typically earn a median annual salary of around $50,000 to $70,000, depending on experience, location, and level of responsibility. Salaries can increase with experience, certifications, and supervisory roles, and inspectors often work in regulated environments that require adherence to safety standards and inspection procedures.

What are some common challenges faced by USDA Meat Inspectors during daily inspections?

USDA Meat Inspectors often encounter challenges such as maintaining strict attention to detail while inspecting high volumes of products, adapting to varying facility conditions, and staying current with evolving regulations. They must ensure food safety by identifying potential contamination or non-compliance, sometimes under time constraints or in fast-paced environments. Collaboration with plant staff and effective communication are essential for addressing issues and ensuring corrective actions are implemented promptly.

What does it take to become a USDA meat inspector?

To become a USDA meat inspector, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, pass a background check, and complete specialized training provided by the USDA. They must also pass written and practical exams, and often have some experience in meat processing or food safety. Certification and ongoing training are required to maintain employment in this role.

How long does it take to become a meat inspector?

Becoming a USDA meat inspector typically requires completing a training program that lasts several weeks to a few months, followed by on-the-job training and passing a certification exam. Candidates usually need a high school diploma or equivalent, and some experience in meat processing or food safety can be beneficial.
What cities are hiring for Usda Meat Inspection jobs? Cities with the most Usda Meat Inspection job openings:
What states have the most Usda Meat Inspection jobs? States with the most job openings for Usda Meat Inspection jobs include:
Infographic showing various Usda Meat Inspection job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 53% Full Time, 35% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 11% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $46,697 per year, or $22.5 per hour.

Harvest Supervisor

Prestage

Eagle Grove, IA • On-site

Other

Posted 7 days ago


Job description

Summary:  This position is responsible for assuring all procedures are followed in achieving the highest level or productivity in the most cost-efficient manner possible while still maintaining the specification of the customer. Other responsibilities include ensuring all workstation have passed USDA Inspections, promoting a safe work environment, ensuring accurate shipments, and proper coding of products.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:  include the following. Other duties may be assigned. Responsible for meeting volume goals, reducing claims, maximizing yields, reducing cost, employee retention and maintain good working relationships with other production supervisors, USDA (meat), and maintenance employees. Monitors slaughter area by evaluating product and administering corrective procedures as sees fit (i.e. provides indirect job specification training/coach and develop employees to obtain results).  Coordinates attendance issues by coordinating personnel to fill vacant or absent positions and minimizing turnover rates. Conducts pre-operational inspection of area, sets up production equipment, and submits maintenance work orders as needed. Ensures area is properly staffed/crewed to meet operational needs. Controls waste by minimizing products sent to inedible and providing sanitary working environment. Manages job changes/rotations. Ensure USDA regulatory compliance, HACCP, SSOP, SOP, GMP, and SQF program for product performance and safety. Other duties as assigned

Supervisory Responsibilities:  Direct supervisor of assigned staff.

Education and/or Experience:  Associate's degree from a college; three years' harvest production experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: to perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

Analytical - Synthesizes complex or diverse information; collects and researches data; uses intuition and experience to complement data; designs work flows and procedures.

Job Knowledge - Competent in required job skills and knowledge; exhibits ability to learn and apply new skills; keeps abreast of current developments; requires minimal supervision; displays understanding of how job relates to others; uses resources effectively.

Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully; develops alternative solutions; works well in group problem solving situations; uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.

Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; puts success of team above own interests; able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; supports everyone's efforts to succeed.

Business Acumen - Understands business implications of decisions; displays orientation to profitability; demonstrates knowledge of market and competition; aligns work with strategic goals.

Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; reports potentially unsafe conditions; uses equipment and materials properly.

Qualifications:  to perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Language Skills:  Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.  Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.  Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.

Reasoning Ability:  Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Computer Skills:  To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.) Word Processing software.

Physical Demands:  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to stand.  The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear.  The employee is occasionally required to walk; sit and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee may frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:  The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; moving mechanical parts and extreme heat. The employee is occasionally exposed to high, precarious places and extreme cold. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.