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Usda Meat Inspector Jobs in Kentucky (NOW HIRING)

$60 - $75/hr

Evaluate regulatory compliance with FDA and USDA/FSIS requirements* Prepare detailed written audit ... Travel domestically and internationally to conduct facility inspections### Requirements* Bachelor ...

$55 - $75/hr

The New Swine Inspection System (NSIS), developed by the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS ... Strong understanding of quality assurance principles, food science, meat processing, and USDA ...

$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 ...

$55 - $85/hr

You conduct routine inspections -- including process, metal detection, cooking, and chilling -- to ... Demonstrates knowledge of quality assurance principles, food science, meat processing, and USDA ...

$50 - $70/hr

... of protein (meat, poultry, seafood, produce, etc.) shipments. This position requires strong ... Utilize label printers effectively for labeling USDA marks with consistency and accuracy * Must be ...

New

$52 - $76/hr

Quality Verification: You conduct routine inspections -- including process, metal detection ... Demonstrates knowledge of quality assurance principles, food science, meat processing, and USDA ...

$59 - $68/hr

Inspect equipment regularly to comply with company safety policies * Maintains a safe and clean ... No NR issued by USDA (no compliance) for maintenance and facility repairs * Documented performance ...

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 ...

$53 - $78/hr

In this role, you'll take ownership of routine sanitation checks, enforce HACCP and USDA ... Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in meat science, food science ...

$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 ...

$75 - $110/hr

... safety and USDA standards are met every step of the way. As an Operations Manager in our ... Maintain Facilities & Equipment - Inspect warehouse conditions and equipment regularly ...

Usda Meat Inspector information

See Kentucky salary details

$17

$19

$21

How much do usda meat inspector jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 6, 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.

$40K/yr

Full-time

PTO

Posted 9 days ago


United States Department Of Agriculture rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 25 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

456th of 856 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

$5,000 Sign on Bonus, Creditable Service for Annual Leave Accrual, Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, and Referral Bonus Awards are available.
Shifts and species will vary based on assignment. For add'l information contact Suyin Cai at Suyin.Cai@usda.gov (CA positions) or Liz Meersman liz.meersman@usda.gov (all other positions listed).
Employee may be detailed to any shift at any plant the district of assignmnet.Qualifications:Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.
Specialized experience:
Specialized experience is experience that provided you with knowledge of the properties and characteristics of regulated food commodities or other products for human consumption. Such experience may have been acquired in work such as consumer safety inspector or inspection aide, food inspector, public health inspector, quality inspection specialist, or similar position with responsibility for sampling, quality control and sanitation in a food manufacturing or production environment, or similar environment for other ingestible items.
See specific grade level specialized experience definitions below.
For the GS-05 Level: Applicants must have at least 52 weeks of qualifying experience that provided knowledge of the properties and characteristics of regulated food commodities and substances; such as: meat, poultry, fish, eggs, or other food or beverages for human consumption, or other ingestible substances, such as pharmaceuticals. You are to show in your resume examples such as applying proper techniques for collecting samples and/or performing field tests and examinations (e.g. identifying abnormalities in the product or production environment and recommending corrective actions), developing written reports and/or reporting findings of results orally (e.g. documenting abnormalities in the product or production environment and communicating those findings to others), and/or skill in maintaining effective personal contacts with a variety of individuals (e.g. discussing findings with internal or external contacts regarding the food safety standards established in the production environment), or other similar work making determinations on products for human consumption or the production environment (e.g. ensuring conformance with established standards). Such experience may have been acquired working positions such as consumer safety inspector or inspection aid, food inspector, public health inspector, quality inspection specialist, or other related position.
For the GS-07 Level: In addition to the qualifications above, applicants must have at least one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 level), and incumbents are expected to have performed standard and recurrent duties on an independent basis. Your resume should demonstrate at least 52 weeks of experience in independently carrying out routine, standard assignments on a regular and recurring basis that provided you with knowledge of the properties and characteristics of regulated food commodities and substances; such as: meat, poultry, fish, eggs, or other food for human consumption, and other ingestible substances, such as pharmaceuticals.
For the GS-08 Level: Applicants must have at least one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-07 level). In addition to the qualifications above, experience must include working with the Federal Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products Inspection Acts in order to inspect meat, poultry and egg products; working with basic SSOP and HACCP principles and practices in order to verify plant HACCP and SSOP responsibilities; performing basic mathematics and elementary statistical concepts and methods to perform testing and sampling procedures; and experience in reaching and interpreting conclusions.
For the GS-09 Level: Applicants must have at least one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-08 level). In addition to the qualifications above, incumbents are expected to have experience working at a more independent level than lower graded CSIs, which may include duties such as recommending refusal of exports and providing temporary coverage at locations outside of the official duty station.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Please view OPM's Qualifications Standards, Consumer Safety Inspector Series, GS-1862.
The duties of a Consumer Safety Inspector are performed in a hazardous working environment. For additional information, please click here. The below requirements are not an all-inclusive list. Failure to fully meet a functional requirement is not automatically disqualifying.
Applicants must:
  • Be physically and medically able to efficiently perform the essential job functions, without being a direct threat to themselves and others.
  • Have full range of motion to perform rapid repetitive twisting and working with arms above shoulder level.
  • Be able to stand and walk on slippery and uneven floors and catwalks, and climbing stairs and ladders.
  • Be able to lift, carry, push and pull up to 30 pounds, with occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds.
  • Have manual dexterity of the upper body, including arms, hands, and fingers with a normal sense of touch in both hands.
  • Have good near and distance vision, be free of chronic eye disease and have correctable vision of at least 20/40 in one eye.
  • Have the ability to distinguish shades of color. Any significant degree of color blindness (more than 25 percent error rate on approved color plate test) may be disqualifying.
  • Individuals with some hearing loss and/or requiring hearing amplification will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Education:Education may be used to qualify in lieu of specialized experience as described below.
For the GS-05 level: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours/credits in any combination of coursework in the areas of: agricultural, biological, or physical sciences, food technology, epidemiology, home economics, pharmacy, engineering, or nutrition. Specialized government or military training may be creditable if it is related directly to this position.
OR
A combination of education and specialized experience. In this instance, only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours of a course of study leading to a bachelor's degree (with some related coursework, as described in number 2 above) is creditable towards meeting the requirements, along with specialized work experience. The combination must equal 100% of the requirement. For example, if you have 33% of the education requirement, then you will need 67% of the specialized experience requirement.
For the GS-07 Level: One full year of directly related graduate education is qualifying for GS-07.
OR
A combination of education and specialized experience. In this instance, only graduate education directly related to the work of the position is creditable towards meeting the requirements, along with specialized work experience. The combination must equal 100% of the requirement. For example, if you have 33% of the education requirement, then you will need 67% of the specialized experience requirement.
For the GS-09 Level: Two full years of directly related graduate education or a directly related master's degree is qualifying for GS-09.
OR
A combination of education and specialized experience. In this instance, only graduate education in excess of the first 18 semester hours directly related to the work of the position is creditable towards meeting the requirements, along with specialized work experience. The combination must equal 100% of the requirement. For example, if you have 33% of the education requirement, then you will need 67% of the specialized experience requirement.Employment Type: OTHER

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