ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Usda Meat Inspection Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Lamb Company

Meat Inspector

Pedricktown, NJ · On-site

$25/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

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 ...

New

LAMB COOPERATIVE INC

Meat Inspector

Pedricktown, NJ

$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 ...

New

Deringer

Material Handler-Meat Inspection

Sweet Grass, MT · On-site

$18 - $24/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • PTO

Stays up-to-date on all USDA regulations and changes. * May be responsible to assist in security of the meat inspection facility after thorough sanitation. * Will be assigned and trained in ...

Deringer

Material Handler-Meat Inspection

Sweet Grass, MT · On-site

$18 - $24/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • PTO

Stays up-to-date on all USDA regulations and changes. * May be responsible to assist in security of the meat inspection facility after thorough sanitation. * Will be assigned and trained in ...

A.N. Deringer

Material Handler-Meat Inspection

Sweet Grass, MT · On-site

$18 - $24/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • PTO

Stays up-to-date on all USDA regulations and changes. * May be responsible to assist in security of the meat inspection facility after thorough sanitation. * Will be assigned and trained in ...

TERRA DI SIENA USA

Be Seen First

Food Safety SPECIALIST (USDA MEAT PROCESSING) 23116

Mechanicsville, VA · On-site

$40K - $50K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • PTO

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 ...

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 ...

State of Oklahoma

Meat Inspector

Sulphur, OK · On-site

$25.07/hr

Job Posting Title Meat Inspector Agency 040 DEPT OF AGRICULTURE FOOD & FORESTRY Supervisory ... USDA regulations governing the standards and transport of applicable agricultural products; of ...

The State of Arizona

PUBLIC HEALTH SANITARIAN

Phoenix, AZ · On-site

$44K - $48K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... Meat/Poultry inspection experience Diversity Training USDA/Agriculture mandated training Meat Cutting Techniques Pre-Employment Requirements: Valid Driver's License - Requires possession of and the ...

Beef Jerky Factory

Be Seen First

Quality Control / Quality Assurance USDA and BRC (SQF)

Colton, CA · On-site

$75K - $100K/yr

  • Retirement

... 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 ...

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 ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsUsda Meat Inspection Jobs

Usda Meat Inspection information

See salary details

$19

$22

$25

How much do usda meat inspection jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 14, 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?

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 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 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 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 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 1% As Needed, 88% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $46,697 per year, or $22.5 per hour.

Meat Inspector

The Lamb Company

Pedricktown, NJ • On-site

$25/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 2 days ago

New

Job description

Position Overview:
The Quality Control Meat Inspector is responsible for ensuring that all meat products meet company, customer, USDA, food safety, and quality requirements throughout receiving, production, packaging, storage, and shipping operations. This role works closely with the Food Safety & Quality Assurance department to inspect products, verify specifications, perform testing, document findings, investigate quality concerns, and support regulatory compliance activities. The successful candidate will be detail-oriented, organized, and committed to maintaining the highest standards of food safety and product quality.
Major Responsibilities
  • Perform incoming and outgoing product inspections to ensure products meet customer specifications, USDA requirements, and company quality standards.
  • Conduct visual, sensory, and physical evaluations of products to verify quality, appearance, and condition.
  • Verify temperatures of products and storage areas and maintain accurate temperature records.
  • Inspect packaging, labeling, lot codes, date codes, product weights, and USDA approval requirements.
  • Monitor compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), food safety procedures, sanitation requirements, and workplace safety standards.
  • Perform metal detector verification and other routine quality control checks.
  • Conduct yield testing and record and communicate results.
  • Collect microbiological and product samples for testing and laboratory analysis.
  • Maintain complete and accurate quality documentation, inspection records, and product evaluation reports.
  • Investigate quality deviations, product defects, customer complaints, and non-conforming products.
  • Communicate quality concerns and inspection findings to Food Safety & Quality Assurance Management, Production, Procurement, and Sales teams.
  • Recommend and participate in corrective action activities to address quality and food safety issues.
  • Implement and support product hold, release, and disposition procedures.
  • Assist with returned product inspections, evaluations, and reporting.
  • Support USDA inspectors and ensure compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.
  • Participate in internal audits, customer audits, and third-party food safety audits.
  • Analyze quality data and identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
  • Support continuous improvement initiatives, new product launches, and food safety programs.
  • Assist with Food Safety and Quality Assurance training activities.
  • Maintain audit-ready records and documentation at all times.
  • Perform additional duties as assigned.

Key Success Measures
  • Accurate and timely completion of product inspections and quality documentation.
  • Consistent compliance with USDA, GMP, food safety, customer, and regulatory requirements.
  • Effective identification and resolution of quality and food safety concerns.
  • Accuracy in product testing, sampling, yield testing, and verification activities.
  • Successful execution of product hold and release procedures.
  • Maintenance of complete and audit-ready records.
  • Positive outcomes during USDA, customer, internal, and third-party audits.
  • Timely communication of quality concerns and inspection findings.
  • Effective support of corrective action and continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Strong collaboration with Production, Procurement, Warehouse, Sales, and Food Safety teams.
  • Reduction of product defects, customer complaints, and non-conforming products.
  • Adherence to company safety, quality, and food safety standards at all times.

Qualifications & Considerations for the Position
  • High School Diploma or equivalent; post-secondary education in Food Science, Quality Assurance, or a related field is an asset.
  • Minimum one (1) year of experience in meat processing, meat inspection, food manufacturing, Food Safety, or Quality Assurance.
  • Knowledge of meat cuts and meat processing operations preferred.
  • Understanding of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), sanitation, food safety, and quality assurance principles.
  • 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, sampling, and quality inspection activities.
  • Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
  • Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to collect, evaluate, summarize, and report quality data.
  • Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and quality documentation systems.
  • Demonstrated professionalism, integrity, and strong work ethic.

Core Competencies
  • Accountability and Dependability
  • Quality Orientation
  • Results Orientation
  • Teamwork
  • Attention to Detail
  • Communication Skills
  • Problem Solving

Core Values
Engagement - Demonstrates enthusiasm, initiative, and commitment to organizational goals.
Innovation - Identifies opportunities for continuous improvement and creative solutions.
Professionalism - Demonstrates integrity, accountability, and strong work ethics.
Respect - Values diverse perspectives and maintains positive working relationships.
Working Conditions
  • Ability to regularly lift packaged meat products up to 60 pounds.
  • Work in refrigerated and freezer environments, including coolers (approximately 34°F) and freezers (approximately 0°F to -4°F).
  • Regular use of personal protective equipment (PPE), including steel-toed safety boots, safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, face masks, and protective clothing.
  • Frequent standing, walking, bending, reaching, and repetitive movements.
  • Manual dexterity required.
  • Fast-paced meat processing and manufacturing environment.
  • Overtime and weekend work may be required.

Pay: $25.00 per hour with a pay increase after 90 days based on a performance evaluation.
Benefits
  • Eligible for discretionary bonus
  • 401(k) company contribution
  • 100% company paid Medical/Dental/Vision/Basic Life Insurance/Short Term and Long-Term disability benefits

For information about the company, go to https://greenstonemeats.com/
Only qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview.
Greenstone Meats is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, pregnancy, leave status, disability, veteran status, genetic information and/or any other characteristic or status protected by national, federal, state or local law.
Greenstone Meats is committed to providing an accessible and barrier-free environment. Accommodations are available on request for candidates throughout the selection process. Please contact Human Resources if accommodation is required
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

Apply