How Much Does a Food Inspector Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$49,940
Food inspectors in the U.S. earn a median of $49,940 a year, or $24.01 an hour. Half of food inspectors earn more than $49,940 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $79,580.
Pay percentiles for food inspectors
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $17.80 | $37,020 |
| 25th | $20.35 | $42,330 |
| 50th (median) | $24.01 | $49,940 |
| 75th | $31.01 | $64,500 |
| 90th | $38.26 | $79,580 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Agricultural Inspectors (SOC 45-2011). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for food inspectors
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | $77,150 | $37.09 | +54% |
| New York | $73,920 | $35.54 | +48% |
| Ohio | $69,280 | $33.31 | +39% |
| Michigan | $65,730 | $31.60 | +32% |
| Vermont | $63,630 | $30.59 | +27% |
| Louisiana | $63,130 | $30.35 | +26% |
| Washington | $62,880 | $30.23 | +26% |
| Illinois | $62,000 | $29.81 | +24% |
| Hawaii | $60,650 | $29.16 | +21% |
| Maryland | $58,160 | $27.96 | +16% |
| United States | $49,940 | $24.01 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many food inspectors are there?
BLS counts about 14,410 food inspectors employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Agricultural Inspectors”. The most jobs are in California (2,340), Georgia (1,390) and Texas (590).
The mean (average) annual wage is $54,910, higher than the median of $49,940.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $4,162
- Biweekly
- $1,921
- Weekly
- $960
- Daily (8 hours)
- $192
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do food inspectors make an hour?
The median hourly wage for food inspectors is $24.01. The middle 50% earn between $20.35 and $31.01 an hour.
Which state pays food inspectors the most?
Minnesota has the highest median wage for food inspectors at $77,150, +54% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for food inspectors?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of food inspectors earn less than $37,020 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.