What is the salary of a Grader and Sorter, Agricultural Products?

The typical salary range is $24,801 - $49,602 per year.

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Is Grader and Sorter, Agricultural Products a good fit for someone like me?

Environment, Nature, & AnimalsDeclining

Grader and Sorter, Agricultural Products

Operational-level

Also known as: Agricultural Establishment Grader Inspector, Agricultural Produce Sorter, Agriculture Laborer, Apple Sorter

Environment, Nature, & AnimalsBachelor's Degree

Job Description

As an Agricultural Grader and Sorter, you carefully inspect unprocessed food items and other farm products. You'll use your hands to sort products by size, weight, color, or condition in an indoor, environmentally controlled setting. Expect to spend most of your day standing and making repetitive motions, working closely with your team. This role is ideal for observant individuals who communicate well and enjoy hands-on work.

AgricultureFood ScienceQuality ControlAgricultural TechnologyOperationsSupply ChainHorticultureOutdoorsNatureAgricultural

A Day in the Life

You arrive at the bustling produce packing house just before 6 AM. After clocking in, you don your work apron, hairnet, and clean gloves. A quick huddle with your team lead, Maria, outlines the day's focus: organic bell peppers. You take your position at a long stainless steel grading table, where a conveyor belt is just starting to rumble to life, ready to deliver thousands of green, red, and yellow peppers for your inspection.

Skills employers are looking for in 2027

Software and technologies flagged by O*NET as Hot or In-Demand for this role.

Hot technologies

Microsoft Access Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Word

In-demand software

Microsoft ExcelMicrosoft Outlook

Job Outlook 2025-2035

Projected growth

-3.4%

US average: +3.5%

Job openings

5,800

per year (US)

Jobs today

45,400

in 2025 → 43,800 (2035)

Typical entry education

No formal educational credential

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections; O*NET Bright Outlook.

Work Environment

How this work is typically performed, based on O*NET work context data.

Email & digital communication

Low

Working in a team

High

Contact with others

Moderate

Freedom to make decisions

Moderate

Time pressure

High

Time spent sitting

Low

Working outdoors

Low

Indoor, climate-controlled

High

Dealing with customers

Low

Level of competition

Moderate

Source: O*NET Work Context (v31.0)

Future Perspective

Declining Job Market

This career is projected to decline through 2035, with about 5,800 job openings available each year. The typical annual wage is around $35,730. You can move up to roles such as a Quality Control Inspector in agriculture or a Production Supervisor in food processing.

Career ladder

Often before this role

Agricultural Laborer
Farm Worker
Picker/Packer

Grader and Sorter, Agricultural Products

Where it can lead

Quality Control Inspector (Agricultural)
Production Supervisor (Food Processing)
Agricultural Equipment Operator

Impact of AI on this Job

AI will significantly impact this career by automating many sorting and grading tasks. Advanced optical sorters and robotic systems can rapidly identify and classify agricultural products based on various parameters, potentially reducing the demand for manual labor in the next 5-10 years. Human roles may shift towards operating and maintaining these machines or handling specialized, delicate products.

Salary

$35,730

Median annual wage, BLS 2025

Required Education

Bachelor's Degree

Minimum educational requirement for this position