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The differences between agriculture inspectors and consumer safety inspectors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an agriculture inspector and a consumer safety inspector. Additionally, a consumer safety inspector has an average salary of $50,363, which is higher than the $45,614 average annual salary of an agriculture inspector.
The top three skills for an agriculture inspector include USDA, disease control and inspection reports. The most important skills for a consumer safety inspector are SSOP, microbes, and food safety programs.
| Agriculture Inspector | Consumer Safety Inspector | |
| Yearly salary | $45,614 | $50,363 |
| Hourly rate | $21.93 | $24.21 |
| Growth rate | -3% | -3% |
| Number of jobs | 16,645 | 32,001 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Average age | 50 | 50 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
An agriculture inspector scrutinizes agricultural food products and the processing methods for safe consumption. Agriculture inspectors should have knowledge about the regulations set by the FDA for the proper implementation of the rules. Oftentimes, they are in charge of the issuance of the official grades for the standards. They also take action whenever a problem arises to come up with a remedy before the contaminated products are marketed. Also, it is their job to audit and assess different aspects of livestock production.
Consumer safety inspectors work in poultry, meat, and egg processing plants owned by one or more private individuals. Their job is to ensure that the plant operations follow the written HACCP system, processing, and sanitation plans. They also work with different people to discuss how to resolve problems, discuss their understanding of the HACCP, and be updated on other food safety and consumer protection requirements. Part of their duties is to participate in performing tests to detect microbes like salmonella in their meat and poultry products.
Agriculture inspectors and consumer safety inspectors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Agriculture Inspector | Consumer Safety Inspector | |
| Average salary | $45,614 | $50,363 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $72,000 | Between $36,000 And $69,000 |
| Highest paying City | Philadelphia, PA | Chicago, IL |
| Highest paying state | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| Best paying company | Munro Shoes | Department of Agriculture and Fisheries |
| Best paying industry | Government | Government |
There are a few differences between an agriculture inspector and a consumer safety inspector in terms of educational background:
| Agriculture Inspector | Consumer Safety Inspector | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Most common major | Biology | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between agriculture inspectors' and consumer safety inspectors' demographics:
| Agriculture Inspector | Consumer Safety Inspector | |
| Average age | 50 | 50 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 66.4% Female, 33.6% | Male, 58.7% Female, 41.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 23.3% Asian, 5.0% White, 56.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 11.7% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 22.1% Asian, 4.8% White, 56.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |