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Usda Meat Inspector Jobs (NOW HIRING)

MEAT - MEAT CLERK

Denver, CO

$14.50 - $17.75/hr

Label packages according to COOL, USDA and Leevers standards. * Follows and executes all Leevers ... Receive, inspect, and store meat upon delivery, to maintain cold chain and ensure meat quality.

MEAT - MEAT CLERK

Denver, CO

$14.50 - $17.75/hr

Label packages according to COOL, USDA and Leevers standards. * Follows and executes all Leevers ... Receive, inspect, and store meat upon delivery, to maintain cold chain and ensure meat quality.

IA · On-site

Other responsibilities include ensuring all workstation have passed USDA Inspections, promoting a ... USDA (meat), and maintenance employees. Monitors slaughter area by evaluating product and ...

Other responsibilities include ensuring all workstation have passed USDA Inspections, promoting a ... USDA (meat), and maintenance employees. Monitors slaughter area by evaluating product 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 ...

Former or Retired USDA FSIS Inspector * Strong knowledge of USDA regulations & HACCP * Slaughterhouse or meat processing experience * Leadership and communication skill. Preferred: * HACCP certified

Apply Early

$54K - $86K/yr

McKelvey@usda.gov Employee will primarily work in one plant but may be detailed to any shift at any ... Verify that meat and poultry slaughter and/or processing establishment's Sanitation Standard ...

Meat Packer (nightshift) - Tucker, GA

Tucker, GA · On-site

$14.25 - $17/hr

At Prime Meats, we've been delivering premium proteins since 1992, serving restaurants, butcher ... Following USDA inspectors, HACCP, and SSOP standards. Skills and requirements: * Excellent personal ...

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Usda Meat Inspector information

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How much do usda meat inspector jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for usda meat inspector 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, 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.

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 moderately challenging but achievable with proper preparation.

What does an USDA inspector do?

An USDA meat inspector examines meat, poultry, and processed products to ensure they meet safety and quality standards. They inspect animals, monitor processing procedures, and verify compliance with regulations, often working in slaughterhouses and processing plants. Certification and adherence to safety protocols are essential parts of the role.

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 education do you need to be a meat inspector?

To become a USDA meat inspector, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, along with specialized training in meat inspection procedures. Some positions may require post-secondary education or relevant experience in food safety or agriculture. Certification from the USDA or state agencies is also often necessary.

What type of inspector gets paid the most?

Among USDA meat inspectors, federal inspectors typically earn higher salaries than state or local inspectors due to their advanced responsibilities and federal pay scales. Senior inspectors with specialized certifications or supervisory roles also tend to have higher pay. Experience, location, and level of responsibility influence salary differences within the inspector roles.

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.
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What states have the most Usda Meat Inspector jobs? States with the most job openings for Usda Meat Inspector jobs include:
MEAT - MEAT CLERK

$14.50 - $17.75/hr

Other

Posted 7 days ago


Job description

General Description of Position 

The Meat Clerk is the face of the Meat Department and is responsible for serving customers in a friendly and efficient manner. This position must be attentive, display excellent interpersonal skills and approach the job with a customer-service oriented mindset. The Meat Clerk is responsible for measuring, packaging, and stocking fresh meat. They strictly follow safe food handling procedures and Company policies surrounding food safety. This position strategically arranges packaged fresh meats in our displays to ensure we are providing full, fresh, and friendly service to our customers. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities  

  • Open cartons and price items. 

  • Use knives and power equipment, cuts and/or packages authorized beef, pork and poultry items according to Leevers policies and procedures. 

  • Wrap, weigh and price cuts of meat. 

  • Label packages according to COOL, USDA and Leevers standards. 

  • Follows and executes all Leevers policies and procedures which includes but is not limited to: COOL, Food Safety, Sanitation, Meat/Produce Scale operation, Mark Downs, Inventory Processes, Meat POG’s, Meat Cutter Resource Manual. 

  • Ensure displays and case signs are updated appropriately, and that meat is merchandised and presented to maximize sales. 

  • Maintain proper date rotation for dated and undated products per Leevers policy, both in the display case and in the storage coolers. 

  • Prepare and place meat cuts and products in the display counter according to Leevers procedures so they will appear attractive and appealing to the customers. 

  • Stock store shelves as per tag allocations. 

  • Receive, inspect, and store meat upon delivery, to maintain cold chain and ensure meat quality. 

  • Welcome customers into store and fulfill requests by pulling meat and product for them.   

  • Clean and ensure meat preparation room sanitation. 

  • Ensure cleanliness of meat cases and surrounding area. 

  • Follow safe food handling procedures. 

  • Learn and follow meat policies and procedures in Meat Department. 

  • Approach position and daily duties with a desire to learn and expand skillset, willing to assist in other areas of the meat department when needed.  

  • Work towards learning product location, description and ingredients. 

  • Performs other duties as assigned. 

Supervisory Responsibilities 

  • None 

Position Qualifications  

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities  

  • Company work history will be strongly considered, including attendance, work performance, safety, policy compliance and performance.  

  • Read, write and speak in English. Demonstrate effective oral and written communication, interpersonal skills. Language proficiency in Spanish or other languages is desired.  

  • Dependable and flexible, including a willingness to work in other areas of the store, as needed with little or no advanced notice.  

  • Excellent customer service, teamwork and problem-solving skills. 

  • Ability to deliver friendly, courteous, prompt customer service. 

  • Ability to read, write, and do simple math problems including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. 

  • Ability to interpret and follow instructions. 

Education and Experience 

  • Must be 18 years of age. 

  • High School Diploma or equivalent (Preferred). 

  • 3+ years of experience safely using manual pallet jacks, hand tools and power equipment, including but not limited to knives, wrappers, scales, slicers, cubing machine, and power saw (where certified to cut meat) (Preferred). 

Technical Skills 

  • Ability to operate and understand the meat scale and meat wrapper. 

  • Ability to operate the meat grinder, meat slicer and meat saw (if/when trained).  

Certificates and Licenses  

  • None required 

Physical Activities  

  • While performing the functions of this job, the employee is regularly required to: 

  • Stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear 

  • Reach, bend, twist, balance, bend forward, stoop or walk for the majority of the time on duty. 

  • Lift and transport various objects weighing up to 50 pounds repeatedly throughout the shift; at times, product weight may reach 100 pounds  

  • Requires the ability to move heavy product with assistance  

  • Requires the ability to push, pull, grasp and use sawing motions for extended periods of time  

The company will make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and expectations. 

Environmental Conditions   

  • This position is sometimes required to be in a meat cutting room, where the temperature ranges from 38-45 degrees Fahrenheit continuously.   

  • Employees must be able to work in a temperature controlled (cold) environment for extended periods of time. 

  • The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. 

Leevers Supermarkets has reviewed this job description to ensure that it includes the role’s essential functions and basic duties. The job description is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee’s ability to perform the work described. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Supervisors may assign additional functions and requirements as appropriate. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and Leevers Supermarkets reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform as the company deems appropriate.Â