Should I Become a USDA Meat Inspector?
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A USDA meat inspector ensures that commercial supplies of meat, poultry, and eggs comply with federal regulations as set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Like other types of quality control inspectors, a USDA food inspector work on a full-time basis. If a meat industry-related emergency occurs, like a contagion breakout, overtime hours might be required. USDA inspectors are required to travel to processing plants.
Meat inspectors work at private commercial slaughtering plants, inspecting animals before and after slaughter. They also ensure the processing plant meets all federal regulations for processing and sanitation. When not completing inspections, meat inspectors work in an office setting, often writing reports and making recommendations.
Agricultural inspectors, including meat inspectors, made a mean annual wage of $47,160, as of May 2019 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
USDA Inspector Career Requirements
| Degree Level | Bachelor's degree or one year of job-related experience |
| Degree Field | Biological, mathematical, physical or agricultural sciences |
| Licensure or Certification | None |
| Experience | One year of experience in food processing, as a veterinary technician, a chef in a large restaurant, a butcher or in sanitation practices at a food handling and preparation company |
| Key Skills | Ability to work in hazardous working conditions, lift, carry, push up to 44 pounds, no chronic eye disease, good vision and ability to distinguish shades of color |
| Salary (May 2019) | $47,160 per year (Mean annual wage for all agricultural inspectors) |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor Statistics
The USDA meat inspector qualifications includes the following key skills:
- Ability to perform frequent physical activity.
- Use of both hands: Meat inspectors need to make rapid, repetitive motions when inspecting cuts of meat, and they may be occasionally required to lift up to 50 pounds.
- Good vision and ability to distinguish shades of color: As part of the inspection process, meat inspectors need to keep an eye out for coloration that may indicate a product is not fit for consumption.
- Ability to handle hazardous working conditions: From slippery surfaces to strong smells, meat inspectors need to be comfortable with working in a loud, industrial environment. They may work both indoors and outdoors, in close proximity to machines and other employees and in hot and below-freezing temperatures.
Step 1: Earn a Bachelor's Degree
You may want to obtain a bachelor's degree in the agricultural, physical, biological or mathematical sciences. The degree chosen helps you on how to become a USDA inspector. An example of a degree to become a meat inspector is a bachelor's degree in animal science with a concentration in production and industry. Another option is a bachelor's degree in applied science with a concentration in food service management. This degree provides training and knowledge of food production.
Success Tip
As a supplement to meat inspector course, you can:
- Pursue USDA student programs. Students interested in food safety and public health may participate in the FSIS Volunteer Student Program. Students are paired with consumer safety officers, inspectors and other mentors at processing plants to learn the techniques and skills needed to ensure that meat and poultry products meant for public consumption are safe and properly labeled.
Students may apply for the USDA Veterinary Student Employment Program, where they will work directly under the supervision of an FSIS officer. A minimum 6-week commitment is needed.
Step 2: Seek Job Experience
The USDA food inspector hiring process makes sure that the applicants have experience working at food manufacturing, slaughter or processing plants, as butchers/meat cutters in a wholesale or retail business, as quality control testers in the food or beverage industry, or as chefs or cooks in a commercial environment. Other types of qualified experience include working as a veterinary technician or as a supervisor in the food or livestock industry.
Step 3: Pursue Meat Inspector Training
The FSIS partners with various colleges and universities to offer meat inspector training programs. These programs cover areas like include food safety regulation, poultry slaughter inspection and basic livestock slaughter inspection. Training programs to become a USDA veterinary medical officer and for food safety education also exist.
Step 4: Obtain a Food Inspector Position
You can start the process by submitting a resume and completing an online application package at USAjobs.gov. You need to complete an online USDA inspector test and provide any other documents requested, such as college transcripts. You may select up to five geographic regions in which you want to work, and selected individuals will be notified of their hiring eligibility.
FSIS inspectors are generally promoted to jobs in which they inspect processed meat and poultry products, verify plant operation records and ensure compliance with federal regulations.
