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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Food Inspector in California is $129,342 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $62.
However, a Food Inspector's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Food Inspector Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $142,993 | $11,916 | $2,750 | $69 |
| Average | $129,342 | $10,779 | $2,487 | $62 |
| 25th Percentile | $118,227 | $9,852 | $2,274 | $57 |
Elias HR - Rancho Cucamonga, CA
HARDESTY & HANOVER - RALEIGH, NC
JARP Industries Inc - WAUSAU, WI
FM - NORWOOD, MA
A Food Inspector's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Food Inspector's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Food Safe... Level Food Inspector | $85,418 |
| Senior Fo... Level Food Inspector | $101,327 |
| Food Safe... Level Food Inspector | $110,275 |
| Food Insp... Level Food Inspector | $130,114 |
| Food Safe... Level Food Inspector | $134,897 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Food Inspectors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
For Food Inspector roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Chemicals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Food Inspector positions in Hospitality & Leisure or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Food Inspector as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biotechnology | $181,079 | $87.0 | 40% |
| Chemicals | $155,211 | $75.0 | 20% |
| MFG Durable | $142,276 | $68.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Food Inspector's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $142,993 | $11,916 | $2,750 | $69 |
| Average | $129,342 | $10,779 | $2,487 | $62 |
| 25th Percentile | $118,227 | $9,852 | $2,274 | $57 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Food Inspector job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
QAI Laboratories Inc
CUCAMONGA, CA
QAI Laboratories Inc | CUCAMONGA, CA
JOB NUMBER : QAI-RANCHO-INSPBP/ELE-07282026 JOB TITLE : Inspector LOCATION: Rancho Cucamonga, CA CATEGORY: Special Inspections NUMBER OF POSITIONS: 1 SALAR... more
4 Days Ago
US Tsubaki Automotive, LLC
SOUTH HADLEY FALLS, MA
US Tsubaki Automotive, LLC | SOUTH HADLEY FALLS, MA
Description: The TSUBAKI name is synonymous with excellence in quality, dependability and customer service. U.S. Tsubaki Automotive, LLC is an internationa... more
6 Days Ago
U.S. Tsubaki Power Transmission, LLC
HALYOKE, MA
U.S. Tsubaki Power Transmission, LLC | HALYOKE, MA
Description: The TSUBAKI name is synonymous with excellence in quality, dependability, and customer service. U.S. Tsubaki is a leading manufacturer and sup... more
7 Days Ago
JARP Industries Inc
WAUSAU, WI
JARP Industries Inc | WAUSAU, WI
Job Description. Job Description. Description. Certified Welding Inspector (1st Shift, Full-Time). $27.00–$34.00/hour. Schedule: Monday–Friday, 6:30am–2:3... more
5 Days Ago
Metalcraft of Mayville
MAYVILLE, WI
Metalcraft of Mayville | MAYVILLE, WI
Metalcraft of Mayville Metalcraft of Mayville is an Equal Opportunity Employer:Minorities/females/veterans/individuals with disabilities/sexual orientation... more
3 Days Ago
American Equipment HR LLC
ANAHEIM, CA
American Equipment HR LLC | ANAHEIM, CA
Description: American Equipment Holdings, is one of the leading overhead crane solutions providers in the United States. Over the years, our ability to gro... more
3 Days Ago
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