Technical occupations in life sciences

How to become an agricultural and fish products inspector

Official title: Agricultural and fish products inspectors

Also called: Fish inspector, Meat inspector, Milk inspector, Bread inspector, Cream inspector, Flour inspector, Fruit inspector, Grain inspector, Butter inspector, Poultry inspector, Produce inspector, Livestock inspector

Agricultural and fish products inspectors inspect agricultural and fish products for conformity to prescribed production, storage and transportation standards. They are employed by government departments and agencies and by private sector food processing companies. Supervisors of agricultural and fish products inspectors are also included in this unit group.

Main tasks

Fish and fish products inspectors
Inspect fish, fish products, fish handling and processing methods and prepare reports and ensure that regulations are followed
Fruit and vegetables inspectors
Inspect fresh and frozen fruit and vegetables at inspection centres and prepare reports on crop production and market conditions
Grain inspectors
Inspect and grade all classes of grain at terminal elevators, monitor the fumigation of infested grain, and examine storage, handling and transportation equipment to ensure that sanitary procedures are followed
Meat inspectors
Monitor the operations and sanitary conditions of slaughtering and meat processing plants and inspect carcasses to ensure they are fit for human consumption

How to become one

Completion of secondary school is required. Government inspectors usually require a bachelor's degree or college diploma in agriculture, biology, chemistry, food processing technology or a related discipline. Inspectors (other than government) may require a bachelor's degree or college diploma in a related discipline. Several years of experience in agricultural production or fish processing are usually required. Completion of in-house training courses is required.

See the full NOC 2021 profile

Ways in

University: Science degrees, Offered by 16 universities in Canada
University: Veterinary & Animal Science degrees, Offered by 5 universities in Canada
College or CEGEP: College or CEGEP program. 26% of workers hold a college or other non-degree diploma (Census 2021). Common fields: Food science and technology; Biology, general; Agriculture, general.

Pay · Outlook

Median pay: $68,250 a year The middle half earn $60,002 to $88,004.
About 2,000 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 2,000 are projected by 2033. (+0%)
Projected labour market to 2033: balance.

Questions people ask

How do I become an agricultural and fish products inspector?

How much does an agricultural and fish products inspector earn in Canada?

Median full-time pay is $68,250 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $60,002 to $88,004.

Is an agricultural and fish products inspector a growing career in Canada?

Employment is projected to stay about the same by 2033: about 2,000 people now and 2,000 later (Employment and Social Development Canada).

Do you need a degree to become an agricultural and fish products inspector?

Not always. 50% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Science degrees; Veterinary & Animal Science degrees; College or CEGEP program.

Sources

Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03