How much does a agricultural inspector make?
The median agricultural inspector in the United States earns $49,940 per year, about $24.01 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all agricultural inspectors earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 45-2011.
Agricultural inspector salary range
Pay for agricultural inspectors spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $37,020 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $79,580. The average (mean) wage of $54,910 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $37,020 | $17.80 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $42,330 | $20.35 | |
| Median (50th) | $49,940 | $24.01 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $64,500 | $31.01 | |
| 90th percentile | $79,580 | $38.26 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for agricultural inspectors (SOC 45-2011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Agricultural inspector salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Agricultural inspectors earn the most in Minnesota at $77,150 a year, and the least in Wyoming at $36,670. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | $77,150 | 180 |
| New York | $73,920 | 340 |
| Ohio | $69,280 | 210 |
| Michigan | $65,730 | 320 |
| Vermont | $63,630 | 60 |
| Louisiana | $63,130 | 150 |
| Washington | $62,880 | 450 |
| Illinois | $62,000 | 470 |
| Hawaii | $60,650 | 90 |
| Maryland | $58,160 | 150 |
| North Dakota | $57,590 | 80 |
| Pennsylvania | $55,650 | 520 |
| Nebraska | $55,090 | 370 |
| Utah | $53,930 | 120 |
| Wisconsin | $53,640 | 220 |
| California | $53,620 | 2,340 |
| Oklahoma | $53,060 | 170 |
| Oregon | $53,060 | 110 |
| New Mexico | $52,450 | 170 |
| Kansas | $51,630 | 190 |
| Delaware | $51,590 | 90 |
| Colorado | $50,430 | 280 |
| South Carolina | $49,940 | 90 |
| Texas | $49,940 | 590 |
| Iowa | $49,600 | 560 |
| Idaho | $48,650 | 280 |
| Indiana | $48,560 | 480 |
| Tennessee | $47,840 | 410 |
| North Carolina | $47,760 | 290 |
| Virginia | $47,380 | 380 |
| Kentucky | $46,640 | 270 |
| Massachusetts | $46,510 | 70 |
| Missouri | $46,220 | 450 |
| Arizona | $45,700 | 160 |
| Florida | $43,990 | 520 |
| Arkansas | $42,060 | 410 |
| Maine | $41,760 | 110 |
| New Jersey | $41,520 | 60 |
| Georgia | $41,460 | 1,390 |
| Mississippi | $39,960 | 190 |
| Alabama | $39,300 | 290 |
| Nevada | $39,270 | 50 |
| Wyoming | $36,670 | 150 |
State median wages for agricultural inspectors (SOC 45-2011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for agricultural inspectors
The BLS projects employment of agricultural inspectors to grow 2.3% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 17,800 jobs in 2025 moving toward 18,200 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 2,500 openings a year for agricultural inspectors. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an agricultural inspector
The typical entry-level education for agricultural inspectors is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an agricultural inspector earns
Employer, season, region, and level of responsibility shape pay. Supervisory and specialized roles pay above seasonal and entry-level work.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Minnesota, $77,150) and the lowest (Wyoming, $36,670) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 14,410 people work as agricultural inspectors in the United States. At $49,940 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Agricultural inspector salary FAQ
How much does an agricultural inspector make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an agricultural inspector is $24.01. The middle half of agricultural inspectors earn between $20.35 and $31.01 per hour.
What is the highest agricultural inspector salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of agricultural inspectors earn more than $79,580 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an agricultural inspector make a year?
The median annual salary for an agricultural inspector is $49,940. The average (mean) wage of $54,910 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an agricultural inspector a well paid job?
At $49,940 a year, an agricultural inspector earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 14,410 people work as agricultural inspectors in the United States.
Which state pays agricultural inspectors the most?
Minnesota has the highest median salary for agricultural inspectors at $77,150 a year. New York ($73,920) and Ohio ($69,280) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an agricultural inspector a good career?
Employment of agricultural inspectors is projected to grow 2.3% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 2,500 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an agricultural inspector?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for agricultural inspectors as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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