The federal departments of Agriculture and Health & Human Services are hiring
food inspectors and consumer safety officers nationwide for meat, vegetables, and other products. Signing bonuses and student loan repayments are offered in some locations.
Food-borne diseases, from both domestic and foreign sources, are causing concern about the safety of the nation’s food supply. A food inspector’s starting salary is between $30,000 and $37,000 annually, depending on previous job experience. Supervisors in the Food Inspection Service earn up to $60,000. Most food inspectors monitor meat processing operations.
The USDA is offering signing bonuses in 14 states. Bonuses can be up to 25% of the starting salary, over $9,000. The same states offer student loan repayment bonuses of $10,000.
Consumer safety officers regulate the food and
drug industries, investigating complaints of injury, illness, or death; initiating actions against violators; advising industry, state, and local officials on enforcement policies; planning and directing regulatory programs; and developing inspection procedures and techniques. Salaries range from $58,000 to $108,000.