A restaurant inspector typically works for the health department, making sure any place that serves food meets safety and sanitary regulations. They may flag an establishment if it's not up to par, preventing it from serving food until the problem is rectified. An applicable college degree is needed and licensure may be required.
Essential Information
Restaurant inspectors ensure that food vendors follow food preparation and sanitation codes mandated by the government. These professionals are typically employed by local government agencies. Prospective restaurant inspectors should seek a bachelor's degree in safety, occupational health or a related field, and they may also be required to obtain licensure depending on employer requirements.
| Required Education | Bachelor's degree |
| Licensure | License may be preferred |
| Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)* | 4% for all occupational health and safety specialists |
| Median Annual Salary (May 2019)* | $70,480 for all occupational health and safety specialists |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Restaurant Inspector Job Duties
Restaurant inspectors verify food safety by evaluating different aspects of food service environments. While duties vary by state regulation, inspectors commonly assess insect and rodent presence, food handling and storage, equipment maintenance and cleanliness, worker hygiene, and cooking temperatures. Inspections are usually carried out without warning to restaurant owners. Inspectors conduct visual examinations in addition to collecting and recording data, such as refrigerator temperature and disposal methods. They often document evidence of infractions by taking photographs and samples.
After completing examinations, inspectors write reports based on the collected data and will often assign the restaurant a score or grade, which must be visibly posted by the establishment. If scores are not posted, some restaurant inspectors have the authority to temporarily close the businesses or penalize restaurant owners.
If there are serious infractions of food safety code, restaurant inspectors may also have the authority to issue citations and suspend operations until the infractions are resolved. Inspectors may work with vendors to find solutions and correct problems. Should legal action be required for noncompliance with the law, restaurant inspectors might be required to appear in court to provide testimony.
Restaurant Inspector Job Outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not provide outlook statistics specifically for restaurant inspectors; however, the BLS reports that employment of occupational health and safety specialists in general is projected to increase 4% from 2019-2029 (www.bls.gov). This growth will result from increased retirements as well as the need to enforce new health regulations. The BLS reported that employment of environmental health specialists, a related occupation, is projected to grow by about 8% from 2019 to 2029.
Restaurant Inspector Salary Statistics
Occupational health and safety specialists, such as restaurant inspectors, earned a median wage of $70,480 in May 2019, according to the BLS. The lowest paid ten percent of these workers earned $43,630, or less per year, while the top-paid ten percent earned $111,130 or more per year. The median annual salary reported for environmental health specialists was $71,360.
Restaurant inspectors investigate food establishments to ensure workplace and food safety and sanitation, documenting and collecting any evidence of violation. Occupational health and safety specialists in general made around $69,370 per year. The job growth for these professionals is as fast as the average at six percent.
