Federal and state governments seek to ensure food safety by using agriculture inspectors to check for violations of safety regulations. This is a field with a positive hiring outlook and decent income level.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 16,600 government-hired agricultural inspectors in 2008. There is an expected 13% increase by 2018 to about 18,700 agriculture inspector jobs. With the median annual salary being about $41,000 in May of 2008, this is not the highest paying job but will certainly put food on the table. Those with a passion for public safety and welfare may find agricultural inspection work to be gratifying on a personal level in addition to a decent salary.
The BLS states that experience in the food processing industry is helpful for getting hired as an agricultural inspector. Although any jobs in packing companies or other food production facilities may be a leg up on the competition for agriculture-inspector jobs, experience in positions directly related to safety or quality management are even more likely to increase employment in the public sector.
Another way to increase the chance of employment in this field is to focus on natural science in college. Those majoring in fields such as chemistry or agricultural engineering will be more attractive to government agencies hiring agricultural inspectors.
Agencies that hire for agricultural-inspection jobs will include the Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services at the federal level and similar food-safety agencies at the state level. An example of a state agency is the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
It is also helpful to get hired for safety and quality positions in processing plants because you will come in contact with some of these government-hired agriculture inspectors. By establishing a relationship with them, you can find out more about the process of getting a job as a government agriculture inspector.
Resources:
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Agricultural Inspectors
California Department of Food and Agriculture: Animal Health and Food Safety Services Division