Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products
SOC code 45-2041 · O*NET-SOC 45-2041.00 · Little to some preparation needed
Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$35,730
a year
Hourly
$17.18
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$36,430
$17.51 per hour
Middle 50%
$34,320 – $38,260
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$29,580 – $44,490
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
25,180
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $29,580
- $14.22/hr
- 25th percentile
- $34,320
- $16.50/hr
- Median percentile
- $35,730
- $17.18/hr
- 75th percentile
- $38,260
- $18.39/hr
- 90th percentile
- $44,490
- $21.39/hr
What do graders and sorters, agricultural products do?
Grade, sort, or classify unprocessed food and other agricultural products by size, weight, color, or condition.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Place products in containers according to grade and mark grades on containers.
- Weigh products or estimate their weight, visually or by feel.
- Discard inferior or defective products or foreign matter, and place acceptable products in containers for further processing.
- Grade and sort products according to factors such as color, species, length, width, appearance, feel, smell, and quality to ensure correct processing and usage.
- Record grade or identification numbers on tags or on shipping, receiving, or sales sheets.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold less than a high school diploma — 64% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Less than a High School Diploma64%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)27%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree5%
- Post-Secondary Certificate5%
Common questions
How much does a graders and sorters, agricultural products earn?
The national median is $35,730 a year. The full range runs from $29,580 at the 10th percentile to $44,490 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a graders and sorters, agricultural products without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Monitoring2.9/5
- Active Listening2.8/5
- Speaking2.8/5
- Critical Thinking2.5/5
Knowledge areas
- Production and Processing3.6/5
- English Language3.0/5
- Mechanical3.0/5
- Food Production2.8/5
- Education and Training2.7/5
Transferable strengths: Coordination.