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Career Profile

Agricultural Inspectors

What they 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.

Also Called:

Brand Inspector, Consumer Safety Inspector (CSI), Food Inspector, Food Safety and Inspection Service Inspector (FSIS Inspector), Food Sanitarian, Grain Inspector, Inspector, Seed and Fertilizer Specialist, Shipping Point Inspector, Brand Inspector, Consumer Safety Inspector (CSI), Food Inspector, Food Safety and Inspection Service Inspector (FSIS Inspector), Food Sanitarian, Grain Inspector, Inspector, Seed and Fertilizer Specialist, Shipping Point Inspector

AZ Employment Data

*State data provided by O*NET & BLS
Compare State Data      Compare Metro Area Data   
$37,440
Starting Salary (2025)
$45,700
Median Salary (2025)
1.5%
Projected Job Growth
160
AZ Employment (2025)

Typical Tasks

Inspect food products and processing procedures to determine whether products are safe to eat.
Interpret and enforce government acts and regulations and explain required standards to agricultural workers.
Inspect agricultural commodities or related operations, as well as fish or logging operations, for compliance with laws and regulations governing health, quality, and safety.
Collect samples from animals, plants, or products and route them to laboratories for microbiological assessment, ingredient verification, or other testing.
Inspect the cleanliness and practices of establishment employees.

A day in the life

What kind of work is this?

Realistic
Practical, Physical Work
Conventional
Organized, Procedural Work
Investigative
Studying, Research based work

What personality traits do you need to succeed?

Dependability
Integrity
Attention to Detail
Cooperation
Self-Control
Stress Tolerance

What key skills are needed for this job?

Quality Control Analysis
Active Listening
Monitoring
Reading Comprehension
Critical Thinking
Speaking

Expected Knowledge

Customer and Personal Service

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Administration and Management

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Law and Government

Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

Common Activities

Documenting/Recording Information

Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards

Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Education & Preparation

Some occupations may require additional education, advanced degrees, and years of experience in the field.
Talk to your support team on campus about this career pathway and additional degree information.
Job Zone 2

Some Preparation Needed

Education

These occupations usually require a high school diploma.

Experience

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed.

Training

Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Typical Education Required

Education a new hire may need

  • High school diploma 56%
  • Some college 12%
  • Associate's degree 12%
  • Bachelor's degree 10%
  • Less than high school 7%
  • Other 2%
Source: O*NET Education, Training & Experience data

Related Careers

Construction and Building Inspectors
Agricultural Technicians
Food Science Technicians
First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers

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*Data on career profiles are based on information supplied by the O*NET Program, sponsored by U.S. Department of Labor, Employment, and Training Administration.