Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products

SOC: 45-2041 O*NET: 45-2041.00
Median Salary
$35,430
per year
Job Growth
📉 -5.4%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
5.1
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or less
Job Zone 1

Grade, sort, or classify unprocessed food and other agricultural products by size, weight, color, or condition.

What does a Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products do?

Grade, sort, or classify unprocessed food and other agricultural products by size, weight, color, or condition.

How much can you earn?

Entry Level
$30,490
10th percentile
Early Career
$33,550
25th percentile
Median
$35,430
50th percentile
Experienced
$38,010
75th percentile
Top Earners
$43,280
90th percentile

National Salary Distribution

10th
$30,490
25th
$33,550
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$35,430
Mean: $36,080
75th
$38,010
90th
$43,280
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)

Key Insights

  • •Salary range spans $12,790 from entry level to top earners
  • •Middle 50% earn between $33,550 and $38,010
  • •Salary spread is 12.6% around the median, showing low variation
  • •Total national employment: 26,870 professionals

What's the job outlook?

Job Market Intelligence

Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk

Current Employment

National Employment:38,900

Top Industries

Support Activities for Agriculture and Forestry39.9%
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting39.9%
Support Activities for Crop Production39.8%

10-Year Outlook

Growth Rate:-5.4%
Annual Openings:5,100

Employment Projections

2024 (Current)38,900
Current
2034 (Projected)36,800
-5.4%
-2,100
Employment Change
-5.4%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection

Growth Category: Decline

Geographic Salary & Employment Data

Explore where Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products professionals work across the United States

Showing 15 of 35 locations
California
6,920 jobs$36,1902.20x
Washington
3,780 jobs$34,8606.13x
Texas
1,920 jobs$35,4800.79x
Georgia
1,780 jobs$35,4802.10x
Arkansas
1,430 jobs$34,0406.35x
Mississippi
1,320 jobs$31,6606.54x
Pennsylvania
770 jobs$38,6800.74x
Alabama
770 jobs$35,0802.10x
North Carolina
720 jobs$34,0400.85x
Florida
660 jobs$30,7800.38x
Oregon
650 jobs$35,2001.90x
Idaho
630 jobs$27,6204.30x
South Dakota
460 jobs$39,7305.84x
Tennessee
420 jobs$35,9900.74x
Iowa
320 jobs$41,5701.17x

Understanding the Data

Location Quotient (LQ):

  • • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
  • • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
  • • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average

Data Source:

Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024

Key Growth Factors

  • •Employment decline projected

What skills do you need?

Top 10 Most Important Skills

#1
Production and Processing
100%
#2
Manual Dexterity
100%
#3
Near Vision
86%
#4
Category Flexibility
70%
#5
Oral Comprehension
56%
#6
English Language
40%
#7
Finger Dexterity
40%

Skills Overview

Production and Processing
advanced5.0
100%
Manual Dexterity
advanced5.0
100%
Near Vision
intermediate4.3
86%
Category Flexibility
intermediate3.5
70%
Oral Comprehension
basic2.8
56%
English Language
basic2.0
40%
Finger Dexterity
basic2.0
40%

Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.

Filter:
Sort by:

Production and Processing

advanced
Importance100%
knowledge
5.0/5.0

Manual Dexterity

advanced
Importance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0

Near Vision

intermediate
Importance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0

Category Flexibility

intermediate
Importance70%
abilities
3.5/5.0

Oral Comprehension

basic
Importance56%
abilities
2.8/5.0

English Language

basic
Importance40%
knowledge
2.0/5.0

Finger Dexterity

basic
Importance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0

Skills by Career Stage

Entry Level

Must Have:
  • ✓Production and Processing
Learn on the Job:
  • →Oral Comprehension

Mid Career

Expected:
  • ✓Production and Processing
  • ✓Manual Dexterity
  • ✓Near Vision

Senior Level

Mastery Required:
  • ★Production and Processing
  • ★Manual Dexterity
  • ★Near Vision
  • ★Category Flexibility

Skill Development Tips

  • •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
  • •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
  • •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
  • •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time

What technology will you use?

Technology & Digital Skills

Essential technology proficiencies for Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products

Technology Intensity
Medium

Digital Literacy Requirements

This career requires intermediate digital literacy

1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert

Key Digital Competencies:

Office productivity softwareIndustry-specific applicationsBasic data entry and managementDigital communication tools
🔥

Hot Technologies in Demand

These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field

Microsoft Access

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Outlook

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Office software

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft PowerPoint

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Excel

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Word

🔥 Hot Tech

Technology Stack

Technology Stack Overview

Key technologies used in this career

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

📚 Technology Learning Resources

Recommended Certifications

  • •Vendor-specific software certifications
  • •Industry-recognized technology credentials
  • •Professional development courses

Online Learning Platforms

  • •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
  • •Coursera - University-level programs
  • •Udemy - Practical skills training

💡 Technology Skill Development Tips

  • •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
  • •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
  • •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
  • •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers

What's the work environment like?

🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT

💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?

Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:

  • •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
  • •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
  • •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
  • •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?

What are the key tasks?

Tasks & Responsibilities

5
Core Tasks
5
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (4)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)
1

Grade and sort products according to factors such as color, species, length, width, appearance, feel, smell, and quality to ensure correct processing and usage.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
100%
General Responsibilities100% perform
2

Discard inferior or defective products or foreign matter, and place acceptable products in containers for further processing.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
98%
General Responsibilities97% perform
3

Weigh products or estimate their weight, visually or by feel.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
96%
General Responsibilities94% perform
4

Place products in containers according to grade and mark grades on containers.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
94%
General Responsibilities91% perform
5

Record grade or identification numbers on tags or on shipping, receiving, or sales sheets.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
92%
Documentation & Record-Keeping88% perform

💡 Key Takeaways

  • •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
  • •100% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
  • •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities

What career paths are available?

Career Pathways

0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase

Advancement Opportunities

Typical career progression paths from Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products

💡 Career Planning Tips

  • •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
  • •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
  • •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
  • •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves

Is this career right for you?

Personality & Values Fit

Is This Career Right for You?

Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value support

RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative

Important Personality Traits

Work styles that contribute to success as a Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products

Dependability

Very Important

Dependability

Importance Level4.27

Attention to Detail

Important

Attention to Detail

Importance Level3.72

Complete Work Styles Profile

Dependability
4.3
Attention to Detail
3.7

💡 Tips for Career Fit Success

  • •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
  • •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
  • •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
  • •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career

What education is required?

Education Level

High school diploma or less
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED

Preparation Level

Job Zone 1
Little or No Preparation Needed

Experience Needed

Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed

📚 Education Requirement

Required Level:High school diploma or less

These occupations may require a high school diploma or GED certificate. Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed.

Training:

Short demonstration or on-the-job training

💼 Experience Requirement

Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed

Common pathways to gain experience:

  • • On-the-job training is typical
  • • Tasks can be learned within a few days or weeks
  • • Basic skills development
1

Job Zone One: Little or No Preparation Needed

These occupations may require a high school diploma or GED certificate. Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed.

On-the-job training is typicalTasks can be learned within a few days or weeksBasic skills development

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