Career comparison
Agricultural Inspector vs. Environmental Health Specialist
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Environmental health specialists earn more at the median ($82,220 vs. $49,940), while agricultural inspectors usually get to work faster (4 years + agency training of training). Agricultural inspectors inspect farms, food plants and shipments to protect food safety and agriculture. Environmental health specialists inspect restaurants, pools, water and housing to protect public health.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Agricultural Inspector | Environmental Health Specialist | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $49,940 ($24.01/hr) | $82,220 ($39.53/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $37,020 – $79,580 | $52,520 – $140,010 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +2.3% (slower than average) | +6.1% (faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 2,500 | 7,300 |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | 4 years + agency training | 4 years |
| Key credential | USDA FSIS inspector training | Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS/RS) |
| Work setting | Inspectors work in processing plants, farms, nurseries, ports, warehouses and offices. | Specialists work in health department offices and in the field at restaurants, pools, homes and businesses. |
What each job does
Agricultural Inspector
- Inspect processing plants and facilities
- Examine crops, animals and products
- Collect samples for lab testing
- Grade products for quality
- Check imports for pests and disease
Environmental Health Specialist
- Inspect restaurants, food stores and processors
- Review plans for new food and pool facilities
- Test pools, private wells and water supplies
- Evaluate and permit septic systems
- Investigate complaints and foodborne illness outbreaks
How they’re similar
Both careers involve travel, working independently, indoor work, and working outdoors. They sit in different fields, agriculture, landscaping & animal care and safety & environmental, but share transferable skills such as integrity and communication.
Which should you choose?
Choose agricultural inspector if…
- I want to protect public health
- I’m detail-oriented
- I can enforce rules firmly
Choose environmental health specialist if…
- I like science that protects people
- I don’t mind enforcing rules
- I like working in the field
Still torn? Take the Agricultural Inspector fit quiz and the Environmental Health Specialist fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, agricultural inspector or environmental health specialist?
Environmental Health Specialists earn more at the median: $82,220 versus $49,940 for agricultural inspectors, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Agricultural Inspectors typically train faster (4 years + agency training) than environmental health specialists (4 years).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects environmental health specialists to grow +6.1% from 2025–35, compared with +2.3% for agricultural inspectors.