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

Ruprecht Company

3rd Warehouse Team Lead

Mundelein, IL · On-site

$27.56/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 ...

RUPRECHT CO

2nd Team Lead- Pack Off

Mundelein, IL

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 ...

RUPRECHT CO

Team Lead- Multi-Vak

Mundelein, IL

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 ...

RUPRECHT CO

1st Team Lead- Raw Portion

Mundelein, IL · On-site

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 ...

RUPRECHT CO

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 ...

Ruprecht Company

2nd Team Lead- Pack Off

Mundelein, IL · On-site

$26.01/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 ...

Ruprecht Company

Team Lead- Multi-Vak

Mundelein, IL · On-site

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 ...

Kilcoy Global Foods

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 ...

US Foods

Meat Packer/Production Associate

Aurora, IL · On-site

$20 - $20.75/hr

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 ...

Illinois Sanitation Service Inc

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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All JobsUsda Meat Inspector JobsUsda Meat Inspector Jobs in Chicago, IL

Usda Meat Inspector information

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$23

$25

How much do usda meat inspector jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 26, 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 highest salary of a food inspector?

The highest salary for a USDA meat inspector can reach around $70,000 to $80,000 annually, especially with experience, advanced certifications, and supervisory roles. Salaries vary based on location, level of experience, and specific agency or employer, with some inspectors earning higher through overtime and specialized duties.

Is it hard to become a food inspector?

Becoming a USDA meat inspector requires completing specific training, passing written and practical exams, and often obtaining relevant certifications. The process involves understanding food safety regulations and may include on-the-job training, making it a competitive but structured career path.

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.

What do you need to be a meat inspector?

To become a USDA meat inspector, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, relevant work experience in meat processing or food safety, and must pass a written exam and a background check. Certification from the USDA or equivalent state agency is also required, along with training on food safety standards and inspection procedures.

What do meat inspectors make?

Meat inspectors working for the USDA typically earn a median annual salary of around $50,000 to $60,000, depending on experience and location. Salaries can increase with experience, certifications, and supervisory roles, and inspectors often work full-time in processing plants with regular schedules. Benefits may include health insurance, retirement plans, and paid leave.

What are USDA Meat Inspectors?

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:
Usda Meat Inspector jobs near you
Infographic showing various Usda Meat Inspector job openings in Chicago, IL as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 4% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $48,105 per year, or $23.1 per hour.
3rd Warehouse Team Lead

3rd Warehouse Team Lead

Ruprecht Company

Mundelein, IL • On-site

$27.56/hr

Full-time

Posted 25 days ago

Job description

Job Type
Full-time
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.
Salary Description
$27.56

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