The following page shows the career & education requirements, salary and job outlook for Food Inspection around the country.
What We Do
A food inspector is responsible for ensuring health codes are being followed in places where consumables are made and served. These include restaurants, supermarkets, manufacturers, processing plants, and so on. Food inspectors need to have extensive knowledge on the legality of public welfare and food safety, as well as of safe handling procedures and their role is to make sure that these procedures are in place to ensure the safety of consumers. These professionals inspect facilities, as well as check them to make sure that all employees are performing in compliance with the rules. They also identify contamination sources, come up with new best practices, provide education, and more.
Work Environment
Food inspectors generally work together with a range of other departments. Most of their day is spent doing field work, with some office time to write reports. They are found in any organization that has to comply with health codes, which can include the transport industry as well.
How to Become a Food Inspection
There is no set legal requirement for the education of a food inspector. Often, an associate’s degree is sufficient, usually in biology or animal sciences. Other employers do require a bachelor’s degree in fields such as agricultural sciences or microbiology.
Training & Certification Requirements
If you want to work for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), you must hold a bachelor’s degree, as well as one year’s work experience. Additionally, you will have to pass a USDA test. Because you have to travel to sites, you will need a driver’s license. You may also need to become certified through organizations such as the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA). To be eligible for certification, you inevitably need to have a bachelor’s degree. These certification programs ensure that food inspectors know what the correct practices are in terms of food handling, what is involved in food safety management, how to detect and prevent food borne diseases, inspection processes, and food sustainability. While not a legal requirement, holding this certification will set you apart from the competition.
Food Inspection Related Job Titles
According to Indeed.com, the following career/job titles with salary figures are most closely related to Food Inspection.
Career/Job Title | Average Salary |
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Senior Manager of QA | $111,000 |
Food Inspector Intermittent | $40,000 |
Sanitation and Safety Specialist | $38,000 |
Supervisory Veterinary Medical Officer | $83,000 |
Packaging Supervisor Nd Shift | $71,000 |
Grocery Department Manager | $36,000 |
Food Inspector | $41,000 |
Road Electrician | $50,000 |
Water Treatment Specialist | $11,000 |
Corporate Chef | $83,000 |
Food Inspection Earning Potential
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has classified food inspectors as quality control inspectors. Their median annual salary as of May 2015 was $36,000 with no formal qualifications.
Food Inspection Job Outlook
According to the BLS, there will be no increase or decrease in demand for quality control inspectors between 2014 and 2024. This is not in line with the national average, where overall growth is expected.
According to Indeed.com, the average national salary of jobs for Food Inspection was $27,000.00 with a high confidence ranking based on over 250 sources. Average Food Inspection salaries for job postings nationwide are 52% lower than average salaries for all job postings nationwide.
Food Inspection Salary by State
The following lists Food Inspection salaries in each state around the country. The figures are based on the total number of job postings by employers through Indeed.com. For example, DC had the largest quoted salary of $35,000 while Hawaii had the smallest quoted salary of $17,000.
Alaska – $20,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 48th | ||||||||||
Average Food Inspection salaries for job postings in Alaska are 26% lower than average Food Inspection salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 48th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like NANA Management Services, Air Force Nonappropriated Fund (AFNAF) Services Career Program, Trident Seafoods Corporation, and Regal Entertainment Group. |
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Alabama – $28,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 10th | ||||||||||
Average Food Inspection salaries for job postings in Alabama are 1% higher than average Food Inspection salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 10th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Ventura Foods, Bloomin' Brands, Inc., HK Transport, Inc., and Local Taco. |
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Arkansas – $28,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 11th | ||||||||||
Average Food Inspection salaries for job postings in Arkansas are 2% higher than average Food Inspection salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 11th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like HK Transport, Inc., Mars, Vistar, and Berry Plastics Corporation. |
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Arizona – $23,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 42nd | ||||||||||
Average Food Inspection salaries for job postings in Arizona are 18% lower than average Food Inspection salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 42nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES), Copper Health Oro Valley, Public Storage, and Benihana National Corporation. |
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California – $30,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 7th | ||||||||||
Average Food Inspection salaries for job postings in California are 7% higher than average Food Inspection salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 7th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Public Storage, Regal Entertainment Group, WinCo Foods, and Bon Appetit Mgmt Co. |
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Colorado – $24,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 34th | ||||||||||
Average Food Inspection salaries for job postings in Colorado are 11% lower than average Food Inspection salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 34th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like 620 – King Soopers (King Soopers), Ball Corporation, Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES), and DEAN FOODS COMPANY. |
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Connecticut – $32,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 4th | ||||||||||
Average Food Inspection salaries for job postings in Connecticut are 15% higher than average Food Inspection salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 4th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Aramark, United Natural Foods Inc., Saputo, and Sears, Roebuck and Co.. |
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DC – $35,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 1st | ||||||||||
Average Food Inspection salaries for job postings in Washington, DC are 25% higher than average Food Inspection salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 1st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like AECOM, Safeway, Bloomin' Brands, Inc., and B. F. Saul Hospitality Group. |
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Delaware – $24,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 35th | ||||||||||
Average Food Inspection salaries for job postings in Delaware are 12% lower than average Food Inspection salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 35th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Dover Downs Hotel & Casino, Taco Bell | The RC Group, Taco Bell, and Bloomin' Brands, Inc.. |
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Florida – $26,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 23rd | ||||||||||
Average Food Inspection salaries for job postings in Florida are 7% lower than average Food Inspection salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 23rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Gate Safe Inc., Circle K – Restaurant, HoneyBaked Ham, and Starboard Group Management Company. |
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Georgia – $31,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 5th | ||||||||||
Average Food Inspection salaries for job postings in Georgia are 14% higher than average Food Inspection salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 5th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Petco, Ga. Dept. of Agriculture, Taco Bell, and Taco Bell | The RC Group. |
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Hawaii – $17,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 51st | ||||||||||
Average Food Inspection salaries for job postings in Hawaii are 38% lower than average Food Inspection salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 51st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Grocery Works, Regal Entertainment Group, DEAN FOODS COMPANY, and Petco. |
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Iowa – $27,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 16th | ||||||||||
Average Food Inspection salaries for job postings in Iowa are 2% lower than average Food Inspection salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 16th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Domino's, Midwest Janitorial Service, Inc., Lifetime Fitness, and Harrah's Council Bluffs. |
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Idaho – $18,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 50th | ||||||||||
Average Food Inspection salaries for job postings in Idaho are 34% lower than average Food Inspection salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 50th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like WinCo Foods, Regal Entertainment Group, ConAgra Foods, and CHS Inc. |
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Illinois – $31,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 6th | ||||||||||
Average Food Inspection salaries for job postings in Illinois are 13% higher than average Food Inspection salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 6th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Public Storage, Thorntons, DPI Specialty Foods, and Lifetime Fitness. |
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Indiana – $26,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 24th | ||||||||||
Average Food Inspection salaries for job postings in Indiana are 4% lower than average Food Inspection salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 24th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Clancy's, Inc., Greatbatch, Subway – Estep and Company Inc., and Ingersoll Rand. |
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Kansas – $25,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 29th | ||||||||||
Average Food Inspection salaries for job postings in Kansas are 9% lower than average Food Inspection salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 29th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES), Kansas Dept of Agriculture, HK Transport, Inc., and Big Heart Pet Brands. |
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Kentucky – $24,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 36th | ||||||||||
Average Food Inspection salaries for job postings in Kentucky are 14% lower than average Food Inspection salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 36th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like HK Transport, Inc., Reinhart Foodservice, Club Chef, LLC, and Thorntons. |
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Louisiana – $25,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 30th | ||||||||||
Average Food Inspection salaries for job postings in Louisiana are 11% lower than average Food Inspection salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 30th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Haza Foods of Louisiana, LLC, Mooyah, DEAN FOODS COMPANY, and Aramark. |
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Massachusetts – $33,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 2nd | ||||||||||
Average Food Inspection salaries for job postings in Massachusetts are 20% higher than average Food Inspection salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 2nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Pentair, Massachusetts General Hospital(MGH), Shire, and Public Storage. |
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Maryland – $28,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 12th | ||||||||||
Average Food Inspection salaries for job postings in Maryland are 3% higher than average Food Inspection salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 12th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like AECOM, Safeway, Marriott International, Inc, and Bloomin' Brands, Inc.. |
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Maine – $24,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 37th | ||||||||||
Average Food Inspection salaries for job postings in Maine are 12% lower than average Food Inspection salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 37th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Circle K, Rock Coast Personnel, HW Staffing Solutions, and HK Transport, Inc.. |
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Michigan – $28,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 13th | ||||||||||
Average Food Inspection salaries for job postings in Michigan are 1% higher than average Food Inspection salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 13th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Aramark, 018 – Michigan Division, Starboard Group Management Company, and Cargill. |
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Minnesota – $24,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 38th | ||||||||||
Average Food Inspection salaries for job postings in Minnesota are 13% lower than average Food Inspection salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 38th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like TreeHouse Foods, Pentair, McLane Company, and Aramark. |
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Missouri – $27,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 17th | ||||||||||
Average Food Inspection salaries for job postings in Missouri are 2% lower than average Food Inspection salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 17th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Regal Entertainment Group, Ventura Foods, Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES), and HK Transport, Inc.. |
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Mississippi – $29,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 9th | ||||||||||
Average Food Inspection salaries for job postings in Mississippi are 5% higher than average Food Inspection salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 9th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Dodges Stores, AAFES, National Guard, and HK Transport, Inc.. |
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Montana – $23,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 43rd | ||||||||||
Average Food Inspection salaries for job postings in Montana are 17% lower than average Food Inspection salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 43rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Aramark, CHS Inc, State of Montana, and Domino's. |
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North Carolina – $26,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 25th | ||||||||||
Average Food Inspection salaries for job postings in North Carolina are 5% lower than average Food Inspection salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 25th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like The Original NY Pizza, DEAN FOODS COMPANY, Sheetz, and Lifetime Fitness. |
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North Dakota – $24,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 39th | ||||||||||
Average Food Inspection salaries for job postings in North Dakota are 11% lower than average Food Inspection salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 39th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CHS Inc, National Guard, Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES), and SpartanNash. |
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Nebraska – $20,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 49th | ||||||||||
Average Food Inspection salaries for job postings in Nebraska are 27% lower than average Food Inspection salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 49th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Syngenta, Catholic Health Initiatives, Hy-Vee, Inc., and ISN Corporation. |
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New Hampshire – $27,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 18th | ||||||||||
Average Food Inspection salaries for job postings in New Hampshire are 1% lower than average Food Inspection salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 18th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like US Foods, Hamra Enterprises | Wendys | Noodles & Co. | Panera Bread, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and Circle K. |
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New Jersey – $30,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 8th | ||||||||||
Average Food Inspection salaries for job postings in New Jersey are 8% higher than average Food Inspection salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 8th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Aramark, Lab Support, Herr Foods Inc., and Regal Entertainment Group. |
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New Mexico – $24,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 40th | ||||||||||
Average Food Inspection salaries for job postings in New Mexico are 13% lower than average Food Inspection salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 40th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like New Mexico State University, Aviands Food & Services Management, 706 – Smith's Food and Drug Centers, Inc., and Regal Entertainment Group. |
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Nevada – $21,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 45th | ||||||||||
Average Food Inspection salaries for job postings in Nevada are 24% lower than average Food Inspection salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 45th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Regal Entertainment Group, Grocery Works, HoneyBaked Ham, and Lifetime Fitness. |
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New York – $33,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 3rd | ||||||||||
Average Food Inspection salaries for job postings in New York State are 21% higher than average Food Inspection salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 3rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Bloomin' Brands, Inc., Aramark, Ingersoll Rand, and DEPT OF ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION. |
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Ohio – $26,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 26th | ||||||||||
Average Food Inspection salaries for job postings in Ohio are 4% lower than average Food Inspection salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 26th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like HK Transport, Inc., Pentair, Bloomin' Brands, Inc., and Regal Entertainment Group. |
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Oklahoma – $25,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 31st | ||||||||||
Average Food Inspection salaries for job postings in Oklahoma are 8% lower than average Food Inspection salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 31st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like State of Oklahoma, Legend Senior Living, DBMC Restaurants LLC, and Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES). |
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Oregon – $27,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 19th | ||||||||||
Average Food Inspection salaries for job postings in Oregon are 3% lower than average Food Inspection salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 19th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Grocery Works, Regal Entertainment Group, State of Oregon, and Post Holdings. |
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Pennsylvania – $27,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 20th | ||||||||||
Average Food Inspection salaries for job postings in Pennsylvania are 4% lower than average Food Inspection salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 20th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like TreeHouse Foods, HK Transport, Inc., Elior North America, and American Cancer Society. |
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Rhode Island – $25,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 32nd | ||||||||||
Average Food Inspection salaries for job postings in Rhode Island are 9% lower than average Food Inspection salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 32nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like DPI Specialty Foods, Aramark, HK Transport, Inc., and The Crowne Plaza Hotel. |
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South Carolina – $27,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 21st | ||||||||||
Average Food Inspection salaries for job postings in South Carolina are 1% lower than average Food Inspection salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 21st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Walter P. Rawl & Sons, Inc., Clipper Petroleum, Jack in the Box Southeast Jack Inc, and Public Storage. |
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South Dakota – $21,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 46th | ||||||||||
Average Food Inspection salaries for job postings in South Dakota are 25% lower than average Food Inspection salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 46th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CHS Inc, Smithfield Foods, Wilbur-Ellis Company, and HK Transport, Inc.. |
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Tennessee – $26,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 27th | ||||||||||
Average Food Inspection salaries for job postings in Tennessee are 7% lower than average Food Inspection salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 27th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Public Storage, Local Taco, Vistar, and Performance Food Group. |
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Texas – $27,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 22nd | ||||||||||
Average Food Inspection salaries for job postings in Texas are 3% lower than average Food Inspection salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 22nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Randalls/Tom Thumb, Lifetime Fitness, Public Storage, and Aramark. |
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Utah – $21,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 47th | ||||||||||
Average Food Inspection salaries for job postings in Utah are 22% lower than average Food Inspection salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 47th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like WinCo Foods, Westgate Resorts, US ARMY AND ARMY RESERVE, and American Cancer Society. |
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Virginia – $28,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 14th | ||||||||||
Average Food Inspection salaries for job postings in Virginia are 1% higher than average Food Inspection salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 14th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like US Foods, Ynot Italian, Sheetz, and Grocery Works. |
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Vermont – $24,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 41st | ||||||||||
Average Food Inspection salaries for job postings in Vermont are 12% lower than average Food Inspection salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 41st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Reinhart Foodservice, L.L.C., Vermont Peanut Butter Company, Elior North America, and HK Transport, Inc.. |
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Washington – $28,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 15th | ||||||||||
Average Food Inspection salaries for job postings in Washington State are 3% higher than average Food Inspection salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 15th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Pioneer Human Services, DESC, CHS Inc, and Aramark. |
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Wisconsin – $25,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 33rd | ||||||||||
Average Food Inspection salaries for job postings in Wisconsin are 11% lower than average Food Inspection salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 33rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Johnson Controls, Pentair, Reinhart Foodservice, L.L.C., and TreeHouse Foods. |
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West Virginia – $26,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 28th | ||||||||||
Average Food Inspection salaries for job postings in West Virginia are 6% lower than average Food Inspection salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 28th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Par Mar Oil Company, DEAN FOODS COMPANY, Sheetz, and West Virginia Department of Agriculture. |
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Wyoming – $23,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 44th | ||||||||||
Average Food Inspection salaries for job postings in Wyoming are 17% lower than average Food Inspection salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 44th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Maverik, Aramark, State of Wyoming, and 706 – Smith's Food and Drug Centers, Inc.. |
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