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Food Inspector Salary in the United States
How much does a Food Inspector make in the United States?
$49,177 (USD)/year
Average Bonus
$738 (USD)
per Year
Total Compensation
$49,367.66
Entry Level
$36,821
Median
$48,630
Senior Level
$54,748
As of July, 23, 2026, the average food inspector gross salary in United States is $49,177 or an equivalent hourly rate of $24. In addition, food inspectors earn an average bonus of $738. An entry level food inspector with 1-3 years of experience earns an average salary of $36,821. At the higher end of the pay range, a senior level food inspector with 8+ years of experience earns an average salary of $54,748. Salary estimates are based on salary survey data collected directly from employers in United States.
Data powered by ERI
Salary Potential for a Food Inspector
Explore the estimated salary growth for a Food Inspector in the United States for up to 5 years. The estimated salary of a Food Inspector will be $50,480 in 1 year and $56,049 in 5 years.
View Salary by Year
Estimated Salary
$51,818
Average Growth
5.4 %
The estimated salary for a Food Inspector in 2 years is $51,818, which is 5.4 % average growth. This information is based on ERI's compensation database.
Typical Food Inspector Education
This chart displays the highest level of education for Food Inspectors.
- 0% of Food Inspectors have less than a High School Diploma
- 27% of Food Inspectors have a High School Diploma
- 23% of Food Inspectors have an Associate's Degree
- 32% of Food Inspectors have a Bachelor's Degree
- 18% of Food Inspectors have a Master's Degree
- 0% of Food Inspectors have a Doctorate Degree
Popular Skills for a Food Inspector
Inspects products
75%
Keeps records
58%
Reports conditions
58%
Calibrates test
50%
Marks defects
50%
Tests accuracy
42%
These are the most popular skills for Food Inspectors. About 75% of Food Inspectors have a skill in Inspects products. The top 3 most popular skills for Food Inspectors are inspects products, keeps records, and reports conditions.
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Where can a Food Inspector earn more?
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Food Inspector Salaries in Other Locations
Salaries for Similar Job Titles in the United States
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Food Inspector Jobs
View moreCost of Living in the United States
The cost of living in the United States is equal to the national average.
0% equal to
than the national average
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Food Inspector do?
Inspect, test, sort, sample, or weigh nonagricultural raw materials or processed, machined, fabricated, or assembled parts or products for defects, wear, and deviations from specifications. May use precision measuring instruments and complex test equipment.
How much does a Food Inspector make in the United States?
The average salary for a Food Inspector is $49,177 per year or $23.64 per hour in the United States. Top earners have reported making up to $54,748. However, the typical pay range in the United States is between $36,821 and $54,748 annually.
What is the salary trajectory for a Food Inspector?
Food Inspector is projected to see a 14.0 % salary change in 5 years.
How can you increase your salary?
Increasing your salary often starts with understanding your value in today’s job market. You can increase your earning potential by building your skills, advancing your education, moving into a new role or industry, switching companies, or negotiating pay.
How can you negotiate a salary offer?
Negotiating a salary offer involves preparation and finding our your market value. Use our salary calculator to find out how much you should be paid based on what someone in your area, with similar experience, earns. Use this personalized report to help negotiate a higher salary offer or find your dream career.
What are some factors that impact Food Inspector salaries?
Several factors can impact your salary, including experience, company size, job market, location, industry, and more. Understanding how these factors affect your role can help you spot pay gaps and provide opportunities for a competitive salary.
About Our Data
This page is an excerpt of the much more complete compensation information available in ERI's Assessor Series.
ERI compiles the most robust and accurate salary, cost-of-living, and executive compensation survey database available. Data are analyzed using AI and traditional statistics, depending on which approach is best for a particular application. ERI collects salary survey data from five different sources, which you can learn about here.
Verified Sources
Data sourced from internal salary surveys, purchased surveys, public sources, HRIS data, and proprietary databases.
Real-Time Data
Our salary database is updated and verified approximately every six weeks.
Quality Assurance
Along with our data scientists, we have included AI in our rigorous process to analyze and provide the highest quality data.
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