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Food inspector salary
Average food inspector salary
$43,824
Understanding the Food Inspector Salary
The average salary for a Food Inspector stands at $43,824 per year, translating to roughly $21 per hour. Salaries can vary significantly based on factors such as geographic location, years of experience, and specific roles within the industry. For instance, food inspectors in states like California and New York often earn higher wages due to the cost of living and demand for safety standards.
In addition to salary, job prospects in this field remain strong. A combination of regulatory requirements and an increasing focus on food safety ensures a steady demand for qualified inspectors. Employers typically seek candidates with a degree in food science or a related field, along with relevant certifications.
For those looking to increase their earning potential, pursuing advanced certifications or specialized training can lead to higher-paying positions within the industry. The role also offers opportunities for advancement into supervisory or managerial positions, which may come with increased responsibility and salary.
Exploring Job Opportunities
As you consider a career as a food inspector, it's essential to explore job listings and network within the industry. Websites like Zippia provide tools and resources to help you find available positions, compare salaries, and understand the qualifications needed to succeed.
Let Zippia find your next food inspector job
Let Zippia find your next food inspector job
Where can a Food Inspector earn more?
Food inspector salary estimates from across the web
Average food inspector salary by state
The highest-paying states for food inspectors are Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. The lowest average food inspector salary states are Mississippi, Colorado, and Oklahoma.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for food inspectors
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $48,054 | $23.10 |
| 2 | Pennsylvania | $51,055 | $24.55 |
| 3 | West Virginia | $43,246 | $20.79 |
| 4 | Delaware | $47,621 | $22.89 |
| 5 | Wisconsin | $44,306 | $21.30 |
| 6 | Connecticut | $47,204 | $22.69 |
| 7 | New Jersey | $49,884 | $23.98 |
| 8 | Vermont | $44,000 | $21.15 |
| 9 | Arizona | $44,103 | $21.20 |
| 10 | Iowa | $43,514 | $20.92 |
| 11 | New York | $49,158 | $23.63 |
| 12 | Nevada | $44,985 | $21.63 |
| 13 | Maine | $42,354 | $20.36 |
| 14 | New Hampshire | $44,644 | $21.46 |
| 15 | Ohio | $43,437 | $20.88 |
| 16 | Indiana | $41,918 | $20.15 |
| 17 | Texas | $44,056 | $21.18 |
| 18 | Kentucky | $40,259 | $19.36 |
| 19 | New Mexico | $43,898 | $21.10 |
| 20 | Rhode Island | $46,350 | $22.28 |
| 21 | Massachusetts | $45,970 | $22.10 |
| 22 | Virginia | $43,056 | $20.70 |
| 23 | North Dakota | $42,755 | $20.56 |
| 24 | Alabama | $41,800 | $20.10 |
| 25 | Wyoming | $40,695 | $19.56 |
| 26 | Maryland | $47,057 | $22.62 |
| 27 | Minnesota | $43,268 | $20.80 |
| 28 | Kansas | $40,973 | $19.70 |
| 29 | South Carolina | $38,853 | $18.68 |
| 30 | Illinois | $43,655 | $20.99 |
| 31 | California | $45,727 | $21.98 |
| 32 | Tennessee | $36,842 | $17.71 |
| 33 | District of Columbia | $46,283 | $22.25 |
| 34 | South Dakota | $36,711 | $17.65 |
| 35 | Montana | $38,696 | $18.60 |
| 36 | North Carolina | $37,322 | $17.94 |
| 37 | Michigan | $36,888 | $17.73 |
| 38 | Georgia | $38,225 | $18.38 |
| 39 | Mississippi | $35,128 | $16.89 |
| 40 | Hawaii | $42,010 | $20.20 |
| 41 | Florida | $36,038 | $17.33 |
| 42 | Washington | $37,916 | $18.23 |
| 43 | Idaho | $37,411 | $17.99 |
| 44 | Missouri | $38,026 | $18.28 |
| 45 | Colorado | $34,201 | $16.44 |
| 46 | Utah | $35,807 | $17.21 |
| 47 | Nebraska | $35,414 | $17.03 |
| 48 | Arkansas | $32,885 | $15.81 |
| 49 | Oklahoma | $33,982 | $16.34 |
| 50 | Louisiana | $31,924 | $15.35 |
| 51 | Oregon | $26,867 | $12.92 |
Highest paying cities for food inspectors
The highest-paying cities for food inspectors are Harrisburg, PA, Laredo, TX, and Carson, CA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harrisburg, PA | $50,755 | $24.40 |
| 2 | Laredo, TX | $45,938 | $22.09 |
| 3 | Carson, CA | $45,726 | $21.98 |
| 4 | Saint Louis, MO | $38,366 | $18.45 |
| 5 | Winston-Salem, NC | $37,362 | $17.96 |
| 6 | Omaha, NE | $35,680 | $17.15 |
| 7 | Denver, CO | $34,242 | $16.46 |
Food inspector salary details
A food inspector's salary ranges from $27,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $70,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a food inspector's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $70,000 | $5,833 | $34 |
| 75th Percentile | $56,000 | $4,667 | $27 |
| Average | $43,824 | $3,652 | $21 |
| 25th Percentile | $34,000 | $2,833 | $16 |
| 10th Percentile | $27,000 | $2,250 | $13 |
Highest paying food inspector jobs
The highest paying types of food inspectors are consumer safety inspector, eggs inspector, and route inspector.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Safety Inspector | $50,363 | $4,197 | $24.21 | 32,001 |
| Agriculture Inspector | $45,614 | $3,801 | $21.93 | 16,645 |
| Inspector | $38,757 | $3,230 | $18.63 | 17,670 |
Top companies hiring food inspectors now:
Which companies pay food inspectors the most?
Food inspector salaries at Office of Human Services and Forsyth County are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average food inspector salary at companies like Colorado State Express and Pennsylvania State Treasurer are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Office of Human Services | $43,184 | $20.76 |
| 2 | Forsyth County | $42,703 | $20.53 |
| 3 | Colorado State Express | $42,377 | $20.37 |
| 4 | Pennsylvania State Treasurer | $42,377 | $20.37 |
| 5 | Department of Agriculture and Fisheries | $42,377 | $20.37 |
| 6 | Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania | $37,848 | $18.20 |
| 7 | City of St. Louis | $34,890 | $16.77 |
| 8 | Adecco | $31,115 | $14.96 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Food inspector salary trends
The average food inspector salary has risen by $4,983 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average food inspector earned $38,841 annually, but today, they earn $43,824 a year. That works out to a 9% change in pay for food inspectors over the last decade.
Compare food inspector salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average food inspector salary over time
Compare food inspector salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Food inspector salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $43,800 | $21.07 | +2.6% |
| 2024 | $42,700 | $20.52 | +3.0% |
| 2023 | $41,400 | $19.91 | +1.7% |
| 2022 | $40,700 | $19.58 | +1.4% |
| 2021 | $40,200 | $19.31 | -1.4% |
Recently added food inspector salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Town of South Windsor | Temporary Food Inspector | South Windsor, CT | 06/06/2025 | $70,958 |
| State of New York | Food Inspector 1 or Trainee (NY Helps) | Ulster, NY | 05/18/2025 | $53,764 |
| State of New York | Food Inspector Trainee 1 (NY Helps) | Kingsbury, NY | 02/22/2025 | $52,198 |
| New York State Civil Service | Food Inspector Trainee 1 (NY Helps) | Kingsbury, NY | 02/21/2025 | $52,198 |
| State of Nebraska | Food Inspector | Nora, NE | 02/13/2025 | $41,782 |
| Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO | Food Inspector | Aberdeen, SD | 12/11/2024 | $37,696 |
| Publicrecords | Food Inspector Slaughter Dollar | Hope, ID | 12/11/2024 | $37,696 |
| Coloradomountaincollege | Food Inspector | Perry, IA | 10/24/2024 | $37,900 |
| Austin Community College | Food Inspector-Up To 5K Recruitment Incentive-Columbus | Ione, OR | 10/24/2024 | $37,696 |
| Thinkag | Agriculture & Food Inspector | Ontario, CA | 10/24/2024 | $37,000 |
Food inspector salary FAQs
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