Agricultural Inspector Salary in 2026

    SOC: 45-2011.00 · BLS OEWS 2026 · Updated March 2026
    Median Annual
    $50,990
    per year
    Salary Range
    $37K – $80K
    P10–P90
    Total Jobs
    12,090
    employed
    Job Growth
    +1.5%
    2024–2034
    Section 01

    How Much Do Agricultural Inspectors Make?

    Agricultural Inspectors earn a median annual salary of $50,990 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $37,440 at the 10th percentile to $80,240 at the 90th percentile — a range of $42,800. The highest-paying state is Michigan at $72,300.

    PercentileAnnual salary
    10th percentile$37,440
    25th percentile$42,740
    Median (50th)$50,990
    75th percentile$64,960
    90th percentile$80,240
    10th: $37,440Median: $50,99090th: $80,240
    Section 02

    Agricultural Inspector Salary by State

    Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.

    StateMedian salary
    Michigantop$72,300
    New York$71,710
    Minnesota$68,330
    Ohio$65,750
    Delaware$64,730
    Washington$62,560
    Vermont$61,080
    Hawaii$60,900
    Louisiana$60,170
    New Jersey$59,510
    Maryland$57,200
    Colorado$56,310
    North Dakota$55,840
    Illinois$54,720
    Iowa$53,910
    Oregon$53,090
    Virginia$52,950
    Wisconsin$52,580
    New Mexico$52,460
    Pennsylvania$51,920
    Texas$51,890
    California$51,490
    Utah$51,330
    Kansas$50,830
    Montana$50,360
    Oklahoma$49,940
    Tennessee$49,450
    Maine$49,440
    Idaho$49,000
    Kentucky$49,000
    Missouri$49,000
    South Carolina$49,000
    Indiana$48,420
    Nebraska$48,140
    Massachusetts$46,470
    North Carolina$45,670
    Arizona$44,100
    Georgia$43,250
    Arkansas$42,050
    Mississippi$41,600
    Florida$39,770
    Alabama$39,560
    Wyoming$36,670
    Section 03

    Highest-Paying Metros for Agricultural Inspectors

    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
    Highest paying
    $79,250
    top metro salary
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI
    $78,640
    $-610 vs highest
    Michigan
    $72,300
    $-6,950 vs highest
    New York
    $71,710
    $-7,540 vs highest
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ
    $70,430
    $-8,820 vs highest
    Minnesota
    $68,330
    $-10,920 vs highest
    Ohio
    $65,750
    $-13,500 vs highest
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
    $63,490
    $-15,760 vs highest
    Section 04

    Agricultural Inspector Salary by Experience

    Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.

    Experience levelEstimated salary
    Entry level (0–2 yrs)~$37,440 – $42,740
    Mid career (3–7 yrs)~$50,990
    Experienced (8–15 yrs)~$64,960
    Senior (15+ yrs)$80,240+
    Section 05

    How to Earn More as an Agricultural Inspector

    Location is the single biggest salary lever: Agricultural Inspectors in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA earn $79,250 — $28,260 above the national median. Union membership, additional certifications, and supervisory experience are the most reliable paths to higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($64,960) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.

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    Section 06

    Agricultural Inspector Salary vs Similar Careers

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    Section 07

    Frequently Asked Questions

    SOC: 45-2011.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.