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Usda Meat Inspector Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Role and Responsibilities Perform daily visual walk around inspections of all equipment to observe ... USDA meat & poultry jurisdiction. All Kilcoy team members are responsible for food safety and ...

Role and Responsibilities • Perform daily visual walk around inspections of all equipment to ... USDA meat & poultry jurisdiction. All Kilcoy team members are responsible for food safety and ...

Role and Responsibilities Perform daily visual walk around inspections of all equipment to observe ... USDA meat & poultry jurisdiction. All Kilcoy team members are responsible for food safety and ...

3rd Warehouse Team Lead

Mundelein, IL · On-site

$18.75 - $23.75/hr

Role and Responsibilities Perform daily visual walk around inspections of all equipment to observe ... USDA meat & poultry jurisdiction. All Kilcoy team members are responsible for food safety and ...

Role and Responsibilities • Perform daily visual walk around inspections of all equipment to ... USDA meat & poultry jurisdiction. All Kilcoy team members are responsible for food safety and ...

Role and Responsibilities • Perform daily visual walk around inspections of all equipment to ... USDA meat & poultry jurisdiction. All Kilcoy team members are responsible for food safety and ...

Role and Responsibilities · Perform daily visual walk around inspections of all equipment to ... USDA meat & poultry jurisdiction. All Kilcoy team members are responsible for food safety and ...

3rd Warehouse Team Lead

Mundelein, IL · On-site

$18.75 - $23.75/hr

Role and Responsibilities · Perform daily visual walk around inspections of all equipment to ... USDA meat & poultry jurisdiction. All Kilcoy team members are responsible for food safety and ...

... inspection according to USDA and SQF regulations. * Clean non-production areas. What We Want From ... Meat Purchase Program We are Winning When: We follow and are guided by our mission and we ...

Must adhere to USDA Safety and Sanitation Regulations and customer specifications. Location is at ... inspection of meat products to meet certain specifications Meet company standards and customer ...

Butcher's

Aurora, IL · On-site

$16.25 - $21.75/hr

Follow USDA, HACCP, GMP, and company food safety guidelines * Inspect meat products for quality and freshness * Load and unload products from storage areas and trucks * Work in refrigerated and cold ...

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Usda Meat Inspector information

See Chicago, IL salary details

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How much do usda meat inspector jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for usda meat inspector in Chicago, IL is $23.15, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.06 and $25.29 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.

What are popular job titles related to Usda Meat Inspector jobs in Chicago, IL?

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

What job categories do people searching Usda Meat Inspector jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Usda Meat Inspector jobs in Chicago, IL are:

Infographic showing various Usda Meat Inspector job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 58% Full Time, and 42% Nights. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $48,143 per year, or $23.1 per hour.

2nd Area Lead- Raw

RUPRECHT CO

Mundelein, IL • On-site

Full-time

Posted 9 days ago


Job description

Description

The team lead is responsible for providing daily leadership, direction, and support to team members; and maintaining a safe, organized, clean and efficient operation. Must be able to proactively identify and analyze problems and implement appropriate corrective action to improve performance.


Role and Responsibilities 

Perform daily visual walk around inspections of all equipment to observe for unsafe acts or conditions. Proactively address hazards so that we may provide a safe working environment for all employees. 

Ensure all employees adhere to company safety procedures and regulations, including lockout/tag out.

Ensure all products meet customer quality standards 

Follow all rules / guidelines / GMP's. (Good Manufacturing Practices)

Observe and maintain company sanitation and food safety standards by maintaining a clean, neat, and organized work area. 

Performs other duties as assigned

Supervisory Responsibilities

May assume some supervisory responsibilities for area in the absence of the supervisor.

Requirements

Preferred Qualifications and Education Requirements

High School Diploma or GED Certificate

Previous experience in a food production environment

Ability to assist operators in problem solving while exercising considerable judgment and have the ability to meet or exceed the production process

Knowledge of GMPs, SPC, HACCP, OSHA, and USDA regulations.


Core Competencies, Knowledge, and Skill Requirements 

Candidates should be self-starters with a strong work ethic and the ability to prioritize their workload to ensure timely issue resolution. In addition, this individual should possess the following skills:

Communications: Exhibit honest and clear communication, both orally and written, for effective teamwork. Treat everyone equally with respect- listen to others and make them feel valued. Where customer decisions or food safety is a concern, communicate on a higher level. 

Time Management & Organization: Organize and prioritize your own actions efficiently and manage a variety of tasks simultaneously. Be flexible and react favorably to multiple priorities, changing schedules and daily assignments while paying attention to detail. Demonstrate a sense of urgency and focus on actions, while multi-tasking. 

Team Commitment: Handle conflict in a mature manner to establish trust with coworkers and encourage team collaboration. Understand the people and departments and support team decisions. 


Work Environment and Physical Requirements

The work environment is a cold production setting with concrete floors. This position requires the team member to:

Stand in cold temperatures (38 degrees) for seven (7) or more hours in a day

Handle cold and wet product throughout the day

Able to lift to 50 lbs. several times a day 

Visually identify and evaluate product

Repetitive motions of hands and arms. Some overhead reaching throughout the day 

May work in aisles or narrow passageways


Food Safety

Kilcoy has adopted the SQF System for food safety management and is under continuous USDA meat & poultry jurisdiction. All Kilcoy team members are responsible for food safety and quality requirements. Team members will be regularly informed, trained, and held accountable for managing food safety and regulatory expectations within their work areas. Team members should notify their department management about any food safety issues or concerns to be adequately addressed.


To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.