PI Rates of Pay – Primary Products Inspection (Government of Canada)
PI rates of pay for all PI (Primary Products Inspection) levels in the Canadian federal public service, 2026. Salaries range from $57,328 to $112,019 across 7 levels. Category: Science & Policy. Source: Treasury Board collective agreements.
PI – Primary Products Inspection
$57,328 – $112,019
$2,205 – $4,308 biweekly (before deductions)
7 levels · Salary data from Treasury Board collective agreements
Rates effective from 2024-06-22 · Last verified 2026-04-16 · methodology
All PI Levels
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About the PI Classification
The PI (Primary Products Inspection) group covers inspectors responsible for examining and grading primary agricultural products — grain, livestock, dairy, and other agricultural commodities. PI employees work primarily at the Canadian Grain Commission, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and other federal agencies involved in agricultural commodity inspection and quality assurance. Their work ensures that Canadian agricultural products meet quality standards for domestic consumption and export markets.
PI-01 through PI-03 cover junior to working-level inspectors who physically examine, sample, and grade agricultural products. PI-04 through PI-06 are senior inspectors and supervisory positions. PI-07 is a management role overseeing inspection programs. Many PI positions are located at grain elevators, processing plants, and border crossings rather than in traditional office settings. The work is often seasonal, with peak activity during harvest and shipping periods.
The PI group is represented by PSAC. Grain inspection is particularly significant for Canada's economy — as one of the world's largest grain exporters, Canada's grain quality reputation depends on the integrity of the PI inspection system. PI inspectors at the Canadian Grain Commission grade millions of tonnes of grain annually, and their assessments directly affect grain prices and market access. Despite the economic significance of their work, PI compensation is modest compared to other inspection-focused classifications in the federal government.
Want to know your take-home pay after taxes and deductions? Use the take-home pay calculator or compare PI with other classifications.