Also called: Crop Certification Inspector, Seed Field Inspector
Walks fields of wheat, soybeans and other seed crops to check they are pure, free of weeds and the right variety before the seed can be sold as certified.
In July you drive to a 200-acre wheat field grown for seed and walk set paths through it. You count off-type plants, weeds like wild oats, and signs of disease. If the field passes, the farmer's seed can carry an official blue certification tag.
Often seasonal summer work for state crop improvement associations.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's in agronomy or crop science is common; some roles hire with an associate degree.
Ways in: 4-year college, 2-year college, On-the-job training. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Agronomy, Crop Science, Plant Science.
Growing about average. A small, steady field tied to state seed laws.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. Drones may scout fields, but certified inspectors still walk them and make the official call.
Classes: Biology, Ag science, Earth science.
Official data: O*NET occupation 45-2011.
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