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Agricultural Inspectors

Nature of the Work About this section

Agricultural inspectors are employed by Federal and State governments to ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing the health, safety, and quality of agricultural commodities, processing equipment and facilities, and fish and logging operations.

Education and Training About this section

Most jobs require work experience in a related field, such as food processing, or some college coursework in biology, agricultural science, or a related subject.

Job Outlook About this section

Current and Projected Employment.

2008 Employment 16,600
2018 Employment 18,700
Employment Change 2,100
Growth Rate 13%

Employment change. Average employment growth is expected as Federal and State governments, the largest employers of these workers, are not expected to hire a significant number of new inspectors. However, demand for agricultural inspectors may increase significantly if pending legislation requiring greater scrutiny of the food industry by the Food and Drug Administration is passed.

Job prospects. Job prospects should be good as a large number of government inspectors are expected to retire in the coming decade.

Earnings About this section

Median annual wages of agricultural inspectors were $41,170 in May 2008.


Agricultural and food scientists; Purchasing managers, buyers, and purchasing agents.

Sources of Additional Information About this section


Disclaimer:

Links to non-BLS Internet sites are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement.

Information on obtaining positions as an agricultural inspector with the Federal Government is available from the Office of Personnel Management through USAJOBS, the Federal Government's official employment information system. This resource for locating and applying for job opportunities can be accessed through the Internet at http://www.usajobs.opm.gov or through an interactive voice response telephone system at (703) 724-1850 or TDD (978) 461-8404. These numbers are not toll free, and charges may result.

O*NET-SOC Code Coverage About this section

Get more information from O*NET—the Occupational Information Network:

O*NET provides comprehensive information on key characteristics of workers and occupations. For information on a specific occupation, select the appropriate link below. For more information on O*NET, visit their homepage.


Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, Agricultural Inspectors, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos347.htm (visited February 09, 2012).

 

Last Modified Date: December 17, 2009