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Usda Meat Inspection Jobs (NOW HIRING)

State of Delaware

Meat Inspector I-II

Dover, DE · On-site

$42K/yr

This role requires candidate to complete training and obtain a USDA Meat Inspection License within 6 months of hire. Essential Functions Essential functions are fundamental, core functions common to ...

State of Delaware - AGR/Agriculture

DE · On-site

This role requires\r\ncandidate to complete training and obtain a USDA Meat Inspection License within\r\n6 months of hire.\r\n Essential Functions Essential functions are fundamental, core functions ...

The Lamb Company

Meat Inspector

Pedricktown, NJ · On-site

$25/hr

Familiarity with USDA regulations and meat inspection requirements. * Knowledge of HACCP, SQF, GFSI, FSEP, or similar food safety systems is considered an asset. * Experience with product testing ...

LAMB COOPERATIVE INC

Meat Inspector

Pedricktown, NJ · On-site

$25/hr

Familiarity with USDA regulations and meat inspection requirements. * Knowledge of HACCP, SQF, GFSI, FSEP, or similar food safety systems is considered an asset. * Experience with product testing ...

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 ...

Ruprecht Company

2nd Butcher- Raw Portion

Mundelein, IL · On-site

$25.15/hr

Job Type Full-time Description The Butcher will perform quality inspections, and use meat grinders ... USDA regulations. Core Competencies, Knowledge, and Skill Requirements Candidates should be self ...

RUPRECHT CO

2nd Butcher- Raw Portion

Mundelein, IL · On-site

Description The Butcher will perform quality inspections, and use meat grinders, knives, saws, and ... USDA regulations. Core Competencies, Knowledge, and Skill Requirements Candidates should be self ...

BECO

General Manager, Farm

VA · On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

Ensure compliance with USDA and/or state meat inspection regulations, food-safety programs, labeling requirements, and recall procedures. * Track carcass data, yield performance, customer ...

Snelling Austin

Meat Cutter / Meat Processor

Austin, TX

$14.50 - $19.25/hr

Inspect meat for quality, freshness, and proper texture before and after cutting. * Maintain clean and sanitary work areas in compliance with food safety regulations (USDA, HACCP). * Follow ...

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Usda Meat Inspection information

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How much do usda meat inspection jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 6, 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 does a USDA meat inspector 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 are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a USDA meat inspector?

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 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 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 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:

What job categories do people searching Usda Meat Inspection jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Usda Meat Inspection jobs are:

Usda Meat Inspection jobs near you
Infographic showing various Usda Meat Inspection job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $46,697 per year, or $22.5 per hour.

Meat Inspector I-II

State of Delaware

Dover, DE • On-site

$42K/yr

Other

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Key responsibilities

  • Conducts inspections of meat and meat products in processing and retail environments throughout the state.

  • Prepares detailed inspection reports, maintains and issues certificates and forms, and makes final determinations on inspection outcomes.

  • Verifies that slaughtering, processing, and labeling of meat and poultry products conform to federal and state standards.

State Of Delaware rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 80 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

17th of 50 rated states

Job description

Summary Statement
The Delaware Department of Agriculture is seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented individual to serve as a Meat Inspector. Primary work location will be the DDA Administration Building, 2023 S. duPont Highway, Dover, DE. This position is responsible for independently conducting inspections of meat and meat products in processing and retail environments throughout the state, in accordance with federal and state standards. Hours and work location will vary according to plant locations and schedules. Duties include preparing detailed inspection reports, maintaining and issuing certificates and forms, and making final determinations on inspection outcomes. This role requires candidate to complete training and obtain a USDA Meat Inspection License within 6 months of hire.
Essential Functions
Essential functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions in the class series and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class. Since class specifications are descriptive and not restrictive, incumbents can complete job duties of similar kind not specifically listed here.
  • Conducts examinations of livestock such as cattle, bison, swine, goats, sheep, and lambs to be slaughtered for evidence of disease, injury or abnormalities; segregates suspect animals for veterinary confirmation; rejects animals in an unfit condition. Supervises proper disposition of contaminated animals.
  • Conducts examination of slaughtered livestock (i.e., carcass, organs, etc.), passing those fit for consumption and rejecting or retaining for state or federal veterinarian's attention those which show evidence of conditions which might render them unfit for human consumption; submits blood and tissue specimens as necessary for laboratory analysis.
  • Inspects the preparation, cooking, curing including smoking, canning or freezing of meat, poultry and/or fish products for conformity in kind, quantity, quality and condition to assure adherence to formulation and ingredient label and documents same.
  • Performs sampling tests and exploratory sampling of meat and poultry products for detection of foodborne pathogens and microbes such as Listeria, Salmonella, Campylobacter, and E.Coli. Schedules federal testing, packages samples and test materials, and ships to federal lab.
  • Reviews and recommends to U.S.D.A. for approval trade labels prepared for new poultry and meat products. Approves generic labels. Assures that the ingredients are listed in the order of their proportion and that the product is properly identified by its label, including allergens.
  • Performs formulation checks to assure safe levels of restricted ingredients.
  • Conducts sanitation inspection of complete facility prior to daily start up of operations as well as during operations. Reports noted deficiencies/noncompliance to plant management and/or owners including actions needed for correction, explaining legal and regulatory requirements, and defending determinations on noncompliance issues. Records same and conducts timely follow-up to ensure compliance. Prepares monthly report to U.S.D.A.
  • Verifies meat and poultry slaughter and/or processing establishments' Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plans meet regulatory requirements and are being executed effectively to prevent unsanitary conditions and contamination of product.
  • Identifies violations and issues with compliance including those that pose potential health risk; tags lines, equipment and/or product and/or stops processing.
  • Utilizes the Public Health Information System (PHIS) during domestic, import, and export inspection activities to input, collect, consolidate, and analyze data to detect and respond to foodborne hazards in a real-time manner to protect public health.
  • Encourages establishments to voluntarily implement a food defense plan which includes inside, outside and personnel security measures/practices and training/exercises to prevent, protect, mitigate, respond to and recover from intentional contamination of food supply.
  • Utilizes computers to prepare reports and maintain records.
  • Reviews specifications for plant construction/reconstruction for adherence to U.S.D.A. regulations; may recommend modifications; submits plans to U.S.D.A; inspects approved construction while in progress to ensure compliance.

Job Requirement Series
JOB REQUIREMENTS for Meat Inspector I
Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:
  1. Six months experience in math such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentages, or decimals
  2. Knowledge of meat or poultry slaughtering OR meat or poultry product inspection OR meat or poultry processing.
  3. Knowledge of record keeping.
  4. Knowledge of applying laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures.
  5. Knowledge of using standard computer software programs for word processing, spreadsheets or databases.
  6. Possession of a valid Driver's License (not suspended, revoked or cancelled, or disqualified from driving).

JOB REQUIREMENTS for Meat Inspector II
Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:
  1. Possession of a Food Inspector license.
  2. One year experience in meat or poultry slaughtering OR meat or poultry product inspection OR meat or poultry processing.
  3. One year experience in math such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentages, or decimals.
  4. Six months experience in record keeping.
  5. Six months' experience in determining compliance laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures.
  6. Six months' experience in using standard computer software for word processing, spreadsheets or databases.
  7. Possession of a valid Driver's License (not suspended, revoked or cancelled, or disqualified from driving).

Conditions of Hire
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. The State of Delaware Executive Branch participates in the Federal E-Verify system where the State will provide the federal government with each new hires Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. For more information refer to our job seeker resources.
All new hires are required to report to the Statewide New Employee Orientation (SNEO) on their first day of employment. Sessions are held at designated locations in Kent or New Castle County.
Benefits
To learn more about the comprehensive benefit package please visit our website at https://dhr.delaware.gov/benefits/
Selection Process
The application and supplemental questionnaire are evaluated based upon a rating of your education, training and experience as they relate to the job requirements of the position. It is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application and the supplemental questionnaire to include dates of employment, job title and job duties. For education and training, list name of educational provider, training course titles and summary of course content. Narrative information supplied in response to the questions must be supported by the information supplied on the application including your employment, education and training history as it relates to the job requirements.
Once you have submitted your application on-line, all future correspondence related to your application will be sent via email. Please keep your contact information current. You may also view all correspondence sent to you by the State of Delaware in the "My Applications" tab at StateJobs.Delaware.gov.
Accommodations
Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities in all phases of the application and employment process.
Individuals who use TDD may request auxiliary aid or service by calling (800) 232-5470 or by visiting delawarerelay.com.
If you need assistance with an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or general applicant support, you may call (302) 739-5458 or email jobs@delaware.gov.
The State of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity employer and values a diverse workforce. We strongly encourage and seek out a workforce representative of Delaware including race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.

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