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Usda Meat Inspector Jobs (NOW HIRING)

TERRA DI SIENA USA

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Food Safety SPECIALIST (USDA MEAT PROCESSING) 23116

Mechanicsville, VA · On-site

$40K - $50K/yr

Conduct routine inspections of production areas to ensure compliance with company and regulatory ... Knowledge of USDA, FSMA, GMPs, SSOPs, and food safety regulations preferred. * Italian language ...

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Bellisio Foods

QA - Raw Material Tech

Jackson, OH · On-site

Inspect all incoming raw materials to confirm all requirements are met and complete Incoming Inspection Report, record information for meat items in USDA Meat Log. * Pull a small sample of any new ...

Beef Jerky Factory

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Quality Control / Quality Assurance USDA and BRC (SQF)

Colton, CA · On-site

$75K - $100K/yr

... meat processing facilities is highly preferred. Required Knowledge and Skills Candidates must possess strong knowledge of: * USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) regulations * HACCP ...

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USDA Meat Inspector information

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How much do usda meat inspector jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for usda 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 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 anatomy, and the ability to identify health hazards, typically supported by a high school diploma and on-the-job training or USDA certification. Familiarity with inspection tools, data entry systems, and sanitation monitoring devices is important. Attention to detail, integrity, and strong communication skills help inspectors enforce standards and collaborate with plant staff. These abilities ensure the safety and quality of meat products, protecting public health and maintaining regulatory compliance.

What are some common challenges faced by USDA Meat Inspectors in their daily work?

USDA Meat Inspectors often face challenges such as maintaining strict adherence to safety and sanitation standards in fast-paced processing environments. They must stay vigilant to identify potential hazards or violations while balancing the need to keep production lines moving efficiently. Inspectors also navigate regular communication with plant management and workers, sometimes needing to enforce regulations that impact operations. Successfully managing these responsibilities requires strong attention to detail, resilience under pressure, and effective interpersonal skills.

What is the difference between Usda Meat Inspector vs Food Safety Inspector?

AspectUsda Meat InspectorFood Safety Inspector
CertificationsUSDA certification, HACCP knowledgeVaries by agency, often HACCP and food safety certifications
Work EnvironmentMeat processing plants, slaughterhousesFood production facilities, regulatory agencies
Employer & IndustryUSDA, meat and poultry industryFederal, state, or local agencies across food sectors

The USDA Meat Inspector primarily focuses on inspecting meat and poultry products in processing plants to ensure safety and compliance with regulations. Food Safety Inspectors have a broader scope, overseeing various food industries to ensure public health standards are met. While both roles require similar certifications and work environments, their specific responsibilities and industry focus differ.

Is it hard to become a USDA Meat Inspector?

Becoming a USDA Meat Inspector requires meeting specific qualifications, including relevant education, work experience, and passing written and practical exams. The process involves completing training programs and obtaining certifications, which can take several months to a year depending on individual circumstances.

What is a USDA Meat Inspector?

USDA Meat Inspectors are trained professionals employed by the United States Department of Agriculture to ensure that meat and poultry products are safe, wholesome, and properly labeled for human consumption. They inspect animals before and after slaughter to check for signs of disease or contamination and enforce federal regulations regarding food safety and sanitation in processing plants. Their work helps protect public health by preventing unsafe or contaminated products from reaching consumers.
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USDA Meat Inspector jobs near you
Infographic showing various Usda Meat Inspector job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, and 50% Nights. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $46,697 per year, or $22.5 per hour.

Agriculture Animal Industry -Meat Inspector 1(Clay County)

Georgia

Blakely, GA

$43K - $46K/yr

Full-time

Posted 29 days ago

Job description

Explore a World of Opportunity with the State of Georgia!

We are the force that drives Georgia!
Georgia State Government is a large enterprise, composed of various agencies and entities with a common goal to improve the lives of Georgia's more than 10 million citizens!
Join Team Georgia and impact lives everyday while receiving a robust benefits package designed for every stage of your career!

Job Title:

Agriculture Animal Industry -Meat Inspector 1(Clay County)

Job Requisition ID:

JR0000000608

Number of Openings:

1

Shift:

Day (United States of America)

Compensation Details:

$43,080 OR $46,720.00

Job Description:

We at the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) take our responsibilities to you very seriously and are committed to protecting and promoting Georgia's agriculture through superior service and leadership.

  • The mission of the GDA is to protect consumers, promote agriculture locally and globally, and assist our customers using education, technology, and a professional workforce.
  • The vision of the GDA is to continue to be a globally recognized leader in agricultural excellence through a commitment to safety, quality, growth, and innovation.

This position is assigned to the following county:

  • Clay

Applicants must reside in this county or the surrounding area or be willing to relocate.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

Under direct supervision, he learns to inspect red meat, products, and meat processing facilities to determine compliance with legal standards.

This includes antemortem and post-mortem inspections.

This position requires a personal vehicle or transportation. Incumbents must work in adjoining areas as program requirements dictate, although travel outside of the assigned area is expected to be less than 15% of total travel.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Meat Inspector 1 - $43,080.00 High School diploma /GED and one (1) year of experience in the area of assignment; or two (2) years of college, which included 12 semester hours or 20 quarter hours in chemistry or life science.

Meat Inspector 2 -$46,720.00 High School diploma /GED and one (1) year of experience in the area of assignment; or two (2) years of college, which included 12 semester hours or 20 quarter hours in chemistry or life science.

NOTE: CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

As a condition of continued employment, the selected candidate must complete and pass all required USDA Inspection Methods training and tests at the first available opportunity after being hired.

Candidates who fail the Inspection Methods exam on their first attempt may be eligible for one (1) additional retest, at the GMIS Director's discretion.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Preference will be given to applicants who, in addition to meeting the Minimum Qualifications, possess knowledge, skills, and abilities in the following areas:

  • State or Federal Meat Inspection or Food Inspection experience.
  • Completion of a bachelor ' s degree from a 4-year college or university in Animal Science, Environmental Science, Biology, or a closely related field; and
  • Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.

NOTE: The Georgia Department of Agriculture conducts background checks on all final candidates. The hiring of applicants is contingent upon satisfactory results of employment verification, background and criminal records investigations, and motor vehicle reports.

Please note: Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to respond to phone/ email inquiries regarding application status. Only candidates selected to move forward in the hiring process will be contacted.

HOW TO APPLY: Resumes may be submitted by adding to your profile in Team Georgia Careers.

  • Via Team Georgia Careers http://team.georgia.gov/careers/

The GDA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. All qualified applicants will be considered but may not necessarily receive an interview. Due to the large volume of submissions received by this office, information concerning application and/or interview status cannot be provided. Selected applicants will be contacted for next steps in the interview process. Applicants who are not selected will not receive notification.

If you need accommodation, please contact the Human Resources Office at (404) 656-3615.

** The position will be closed once a suitable candidate is identified *

Qualifications -

High school diploma/GED and one (1) year of experience in the area of assignment; or two (2) years of college, which included 12 semester hours or 20 quarter hours in chemistry or

Minimum Qualifications:

Vocational/Technical degree in agriculture, horticulture, environmental science, pest control, entomology or a closely related field from an accredited college OR High school diploma or GED AND One year of experience in the area of assignment OR Two years of college which included 12 semester hours or 20 quarter hours in chemistry or life sciences.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

The State of Georgia does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or other protected categories in employment or the provision of services.
Qualified applicants may request reasonable accommodation when needed during the application and/or screening process by contacting the appropriate agency Human Resources department.

Apply