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Usda Meat Inspector Jobs in Kentucky (NOW HIRING)

$110 - $140/hr

Direct interaction with regulatory inspectors (USDA, FDA, State) * Lead or assist in leading all ... Working knowledge of regulations and guidelines imposed upon meat & poultry operations by federal ...

General Labor Associates

Owensboro, KY · On-site

$15.75 - $19.75/hr

... meats in the United States and proud to be the home of "Kentucky Legend" products. As Owensboro ... Follow all USDA guidelines * Report any issues regarding food safety or quality to supervision and ...

General Labor Associates

Owensboro, KY · On-site

$15.75 - $19.75/hr

... meats in the United States and proud to be the home of "Kentucky Legend" products. As Owensboro ... Follow all USDA guidelinesReport any issues regarding food safety or quality to supervision and/or ...

$115 - $140/hr

Visit suppliers' facilities/sites regularly to inspect and review processes, procedures, and ... meat operations or beef-focused facility. * HACCP certification. * Knowledge of USDA-FSIS, and ...

New

Usda Meat Inspector information

See Kentucky salary details

$17

$19

$21

How much do usda meat inspector jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for usda meat inspector in Kentucky is $19.50, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.74 and $21.30 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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.

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 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 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.

How long does it take to become a USDA Meat Inspector?

Becoming a USDA Meat Inspector typically requires completing a training program that lasts several weeks to a few months, followed by passing a written exam and gaining on-the-job experience. Candidates often need a high school diploma or equivalent, and some roles may require prior work experience in meat processing or related fields.

How to become USDA meat inspector?

To become a USDA meat inspector, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, pass a background check, and complete training provided by the USDA or an approved training program. Certification involves passing written and practical exams, and inspectors must adhere to food safety regulations and often work in slaughterhouses or processing plants with regular schedules.

What are popular job titles related to Usda Meat Inspector jobs in Kentucky?

For Usda Meat Inspector jobs in Kentucky, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Usda Meat Inspector jobs in Kentucky look for?

The top searched job categories for Usda Meat Inspector jobs in Kentucky are:

Infographic showing various Usda Meat Inspector job openings in Kentucky as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $40,557 per year, or $19.5 per hour.

Quality Assurance Manager - Kitchen

Mom's Meals

On-site

$110 - $140/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 5 days ago


Mom's Meals rating

6.1

Company rating: 6.1 out of 10

Based on 42 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

14th of 24 rated food delivery companies


Job description

The Quality/Food Safety Manager is responsible for providing leadership in all areas of food safety, quality/quality systems, and regulatory compliance. The Quality/Food Safety Manager is a key liaison for regulatory personnel including onsite USDA/FSIS inspectors. This position serves as a food safety resource for all plant personnel and reports directly to the Director of Food Safety & Quality.

At this time, we are NOT considering applicants that require immigration sponsorship (additional work authorization or permanent work authorization) now or in the future to work in the United States. This includes, but IS NOT LIMITED TO: F1-OPT, F1-CPT, H-1B, TN, L-1, J-1, etc.

Benefits

Our employees enjoy a generous package of benefits that we are thrilled to provide, and feel is part of what makes us different as an employer. We value our team members, and this is one way we can show it.

Benefits include:

  • PTO, holiday pay and holiday of choice
  • 401(k) match
  • Life insurance
  • Short-term disability
  • Health, dental and vision insurance
  • Maternity/paternity leave
  • Health savings account (HSA)
  • Flex spending accounts (FSA) – health and dependent

Position Responsibilities may include, but not limited to:

  • Oversee all quality and food safety programs, including implementation of food safety and continuous improvement initiatives, leading required verifications, staff training, and documentation
  • Leading the implementation and maintenance of the SQF system
  • Ensure compliance of food safety programs, including HACCP and Food Safety plans
  • Provide facility food safety and quality leadership to the FS/QA department and develop the skill sets of QA salaried and hourly personnel
  • Enhance QA and sanitation programs throughout the facility by communicating with management, operations, and sanitation teams regarding food safety programs and opportunities to make improvements
  • Maintain and develop food safety/quality programs and strive for continuous improvement of product quality
  • Direct interaction with regulatory inspectors (USDA, FDA, State)
  • Lead or assist in leading all regulatory, customer, internal and 3rd party audits
  • Provide and promote a safe work environment throughout the facility
  • Maintain consistent communication and foster teamwork between all personnel, departments, and shifts including promoting a food safety culture
  • Develop, review and revise SOP’s and testing standards as necessary
  • Ensure company policies and procedures are fairly administered within the department
  • Assist with pre-operational inspections, environmental and microbial sampling, various internal audits (GMP’s, Pest Control, Food Defense, Allergen control, Label Verification), complaint investigations and performs direct observations
  • Oversee all onsite laboratory activities and quality testing and be the liaison for all outside laboratory testing
  • Review, analyze, interpret, approve, and report laboratory results per SOP’s and applicable testing protocols
  • Ability to accurately complete all required documentation
  • Review all records including CCP’s for accuracy and completeness and signs off in a timely manner
  • Has the authority to stop processing and packaging activities that are potentially causing a food safety concern
  • Train all departments in Food Safety and Quality Policies and Procedures
  • Other miscellaneous duties as requested by the Director of Food Safety & Quality or VP of Technical Services
Required Skills and Experience
  • College Degree in Food Science, Microbiology or similar
  • Prior leadership experience in a food manufacturing facility preferred
  • Prefer QC laboratory experience with an understanding of analytical, microbiological, and environmental testing and method execution
  • Knowledge of HACCP & HARPC and experience in implementation of Food Safety Plans
  • Certification by recognized HACCP training provider
  • PCQI certification
  • Must have the ability to communicate persuasively and passionately about the need for food safety & quality
  • Working knowledge of regulations and guidelines imposed upon meat & poultry operations by federal and state agencies and authorities (Title 9 & 21 CFR)
  • Show initiative and ability to work well with and communicate effectively with all levels of company personnel and regulatory officials
  • Demonstrated commitment to following Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), Good Laboratory Practices (GLP’s) and other food safety rules
  • Excellent organization and decision-making skills and the ability to manage multiple projects
  • Minimum 5-7 years working in a food manufacturing environment preferred
  • GFSI training (SQF, BRC, etc.) preferred
  • Must have the ability to communicate in English orally and in writing; bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred
Physical Requirements
  • Repetitive motions that include the wrists, hands and/or fingers
  • Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting, remaining in a stationary position for prolonged periods
  • Visual perception to perform job including peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

Job Category: Corporate – Quality & Technical Services

Job Type: Full-Time, 1st Shift

Location Type: On-site

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