Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
No formal educational credential
None
Short-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Graders and sorters of agricultural products focus on evaluating and organizing products such as crops or related items based on specific standards. National employment is about 39,000 workers, indicating a modestly sized occupation with a defined role in the broader agricultural supply chain. The median annual salary of $35,430 reflects earnings that can vary by location, as some states and metro areas offer higher pay. Projected employment growth of -5.4% suggests that total jobs in this occupation are expected to decline, but there are still an estimated 5,000 annual openings, which can come from turnover and other workforce changes. Workers can enter the field without a formal educational credential, relying instead on skills such as physical strength and stamina, fine motor abilities, mechanical and science knowledge, and interpersonal strengths. For people interested in hands-on work with agricultural products, this role can be a starting point or a longer-term position, and it also sits alongside similar occupations like tapers or refuse and recyclable material collectors as alternative career options.
The national median annual salary for graders and sorters of agricultural products is $35,430, but actual pay varies by state and metro area. Among the top states by opportunity score, Colorado shows a notably higher median salary of $48,740, followed by Massachusetts at $41,770. California’s median of $36,330 is closer to the national figure, while Washington and Virginia are at $34,950 and $34,860, respectively. At the metro level, the San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA area stands out with a median salary of $46,350. The Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro reports $39,170, and Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CA comes in at $38,680. Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TX and Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GA offer median salaries of $38,890 and $36,450. These figures show that earnings potential can shift meaningfully with geography, even within the same occupation.
Graders and sorters of agricultural products have national employment of about 39,000 workers. The projected employment growth rate is -5.4%, indicating that the total number of positions is expected to decline over the projection period. Even with this negative growth, the occupation is expected to see about 5,000 annual openings. These openings can reflect ongoing replacement needs as workers change jobs, retire, or leave the labor force. The combination of shrinking total employment and continuing annual openings means that individuals considering this field should pay attention to location and turnover patterns when planning their careers. For those already in the occupation, understanding regional demand and opportunity scores at the state and metro levels may help in identifying areas where job prospects and stability could be relatively stronger, even as the overall employment trend moves downward.
Location makes a clear difference for graders and sorters of agricultural products. Among the top states by opportunity score, California offers a median salary of $36,330 with employment of 5,750, giving it the highest opportunity score at 67.38. Massachusetts has a higher median salary of $41,770 but much smaller employment at 40, with a slightly lower opportunity score of 65.87. Colorado shows the highest state-level median salary listed, at $48,740, with employment of 230 and an opportunity score of 56.97. Washington and Virginia both have median salaries just under $35,000, similar employment counts of 2,830 and 230 respectively, and opportunity scores in the mid-50s. At the metro level, San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA leads with an opportunity score of 68.75 and a median salary of $46,350, while Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV, Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CA, Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TX, and Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GA show moderate employment and mid-$30,000s to high-$30,000s salaries, paired with opportunity scores from the low 50s to mid-60s.
The typical education requirement for graders and sorters of agricultural products is no formal educational credential. This creates a pathway into the occupation that does not depend on completing a particular degree or structured academic program. Instead, success in this role is closely connected to specific skills. Physical strength and stamina and fine motor skills are important, as is mechanical aptitude and a grounding in science. Interpersonal skills, customer service, and leadership can help workers function effectively within teams or when interacting with others. Skills in writing and reading support accurate communication and documentation, while computers and information technology skills can be relevant where digital tools are used. Project management abilities may also be useful for organizing tasks or coordinating work. Taken together, this skill profile highlights that, even without a formal credential requirement, developing a mix of physical, technical, and people-focused capabilities can be valuable for entry and advancement in this occupation.
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