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Agricultural Inspectors

The short answer

Parts of this job are expected to change. AI can already assist with some of its tasks. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to grow over the next decade, with about 61 openings expected each year.

Step 1

Where your job stands

Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the middle fifth for how much AI could touch it—right around the middle.

How much AI could touch this job

Middleband 3 of 5
least exposedmost exposed

Looking at the job itself, AI could help with about a quarter of this job's tasks.

What this means

Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the middle fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.

Step 2

What AI can and can’t help with in this job

The score comes from the real, day-to-day tasks of this job—not a guess about the job as a whole. Below are the tasks that matter most in this job, split by whether AI can help with them.

AI can help with or automate about 38% of the tasks in this job.

Tasks AI can help with or automate

  1. Label and seal graded products and issue official grading certificates.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  2. Interpret and enforce government acts and regulations and explain required standards to agricultural workers.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  3. Examine, weigh, and measure commodities, such as poultry, eggs, meat, or seafood to certify qualities, grades, and weights.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  4. Write reports of findings and recommendations and advise farmers, growers, or processors of corrective action to be taken.

    AI could do much of this on its own

  5. Provide consultative services in areas such as equipment or product evaluation, plant construction or layout, or food safety systems.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

Tasks AI can't do much of

  1. Inspect food products and processing procedures to determine whether products are safe to eat.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  2. Inspect agricultural commodities or related operations, as well as fish or logging operations, for compliance with laws and regulations governing health, quality, and safety.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  3. Monitor the operations and sanitary conditions of slaughtering or meat processing plants.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  4. Take emergency actions, such as closing production facilities, if product safety is compromised.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  5. Verify that transportation and handling procedures meet regulatory requirements.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

Step 3

Jobs you could switch to

If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.

See related jobs in

The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.

  • Construction and Building Inspectors

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    Pays about 7% more—$81,618 vs your $75,922 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, with 5 years or more of experience, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes one to two years.

    Skills you already have

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    New skills to build

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    Pays about 26% more—$95,467 vs your $75,922 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Problem Sensitivity
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    New skills to build

    • Mechanical
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  • Occupational Health and Safety Technicians

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    Pays slightly less—$71,589 vs your $75,922 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes one to two years.

    Skills you already have

    • Problem Sensitivity
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Inductive Reasoning
    • Deductive Reasoning

    New skills to build

    • Education and Training
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  • Food Scientists and Technologists

    Somewhat similar work
    +27% pay60 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 27% more—$96,701 vs your $75,922 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a bachelor's degree.

    Getting ready typically takes two to four years.

    Skills you already have

    • Problem Sensitivity
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    • Deductive Reasoning
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    New skills to build

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  • Occupational Health and Safety Specialists

    Somewhat similar work
    +30% pay1,913 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 30% more—$98,402 vs your $75,922 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a bachelor's degree.

    Getting ready typically takes two to four years.

    Skills you already have

    • Problem Sensitivity
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Deductive Reasoning
    • Inductive Reasoning
    • Oral Comprehension

    New skills to build

    • Chemistry
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    • Physics
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  • Industrial Production Managers

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    +75% pay457 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 75% more—$132,662 vs your $75,922 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a bachelor's degree, with 5 years or more of experience.

    Getting ready typically takes two to four years.

    Skills you already have

    • Problem Sensitivity
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    • Oral Comprehension
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    New skills to build

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