How much does a farm inspector make?
Answer: A typical farm inspector in the United States makes $49,940 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 14,000 people work in this job. About the same as the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Farm inspector pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $37,020 | $49,940 | $79,580 | about 14,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | $55,650 | about 520 |
| California | $53,620 | about 2,000 |
| Texas | $49,940 | about 590 |
| Iowa | $49,600 | about 560 |
| Florida | $43,990 | about 520 |
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., pay can vary with experience, training or credentials, and whether the employer is the government or a business. Location, tougher or more responsible inspection work, and hours or shifts can matter too.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a farm inspector do?
Inspect agricultural commodities, processing equipment, and facilities, and fish and logging operations, to ensure compliance with regulations and laws governing health, quality, and safety.
What's a typical day like?
They may visit farms or food plants to check animals, crops or food and the cleanliness of work areas, sometimes taking samples for lab tests. They record findings and explain problems or needed fixes to workers.
How to get this job
In the U.S., many jobs ask for a high-school diploma/GED and on-the-job training. USDA entry-level food inspectors must pass a written test and qualify with a science-related bachelor's degree or one year of food-industry experience.
High school plus some training (preparation level 2 of 5)
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized.
Did you know?
Some U.S. meat inspectors use their noses as well as their eyes and hands: smell can help them notice abnormal odors during inspections.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/45-2011.00
- www.fsis.usda.gov/careers/career-profiles/food-inspector
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes452011.htm
- www.fsis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media_file/documents/FIAP-Food-Inspector-A
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY