California Median
$53,620
per year
Hourly Rate
$25.78
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+7% vs US median
US median $49,940
State Rank
#16 of 43
2,340 employed here
How much does an Agricultural Inspector make in California?
Agricultural Inspectors in California take home a median of $53,620 annually — roughly $25.78 an hour — which runs 7% above the national median of $49,940.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $38,150 while the top 10% make $93,100 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $41,980 and $77,550 a year.
Agricultural Inspector salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,150 | $18.34 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $41,980 | $20.18 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $53,620 | $25.78 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $77,550 | $37.28 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $93,100 | $44.76 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 16th out of 43 states and territories for Agricultural Inspector pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Agricultural Inspector salary in other states
Minnesota $77,150New York $73,920Ohio $69,280Michigan $65,730Vermont $63,630Louisiana $63,130Washington $62,880Illinois $62,000Hawaii $60,650Maryland $58,160North Dakota $57,590Pennsylvania $55,650Nebraska $55,090Utah $53,930Wisconsin $53,640Oklahoma $53,060Oregon $53,060New Mexico $52,450Kansas $51,630Delaware $51,590Colorado $50,430South Carolina $49,940Texas $49,940Iowa $49,600Idaho $48,650Indiana $48,560Tennessee $47,840North Carolina $47,760Virginia $47,380Kentucky $46,640Massachusetts $46,510Missouri $46,220Arizona $45,700Florida $43,990Arkansas $42,060Maine $41,760New Jersey $41,520Georgia $41,460Mississippi $39,960Alabama $39,300Nevada $39,270Wyoming $36,670
Working as an Agricultural Inspector in California
Nationally, about 14,000 people work as Agricultural Inspectors in the United States. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($53,620) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Agricultural Inspector make in California?
The median Agricultural Inspector salary in California is $53,620 per year, or about $25.78 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $38,150 at the entry level to $93,100 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Agricultural Inspectors about 7% more than the national median of $49,940. California ranks 16th out of 43 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Agricultural Inspectors?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $53,620 a year. About 2,340 Agricultural Inspectors are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Agricultural Inspector salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.