Also called: USDA Food Inspector, Brand Inspector
Inspects animals and meat to make sure they're healthy and safe, or verifies cattle ownership through brands.
Works on a processing line checking carcasses for disease, or, as a state brand inspector out West, reads the brands on cattle at a sale barn to confirm who owns them and prevent rustling.
Estimate based on BLS agricultural inspectors.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
High school diploma, about 1 year after high school. High school diploma or ag degree; government training.
Ways in: On-the-job training, 4-year college. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Majors to look at: Animal Science, Agriculture, Biology.
Growing about average. Steady.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. Camera systems and AI flag carcass problems faster, but federal law still requires human inspectors on the line.
Classes: Biology, Agriscience (FFA), Food science CTE, Government or civics.
Official data: O*NET occupation 45-2011.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.