Grade, sort, or classify unprocessed food and other agricultural products by size, weight, color, or condition.
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?
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 knowledge is required?
✓
Production and Processing
✓
English Language
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 TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Active Server Pages ASP
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology 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:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Discard inferior or defective products or foreign matter, and place acceptable products in containers for further processing.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Weigh products or estimate their weight, visually or by feel.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Place products in containers according to grade and mark grades on containers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Record grade or identification numbers on tags or on shipping, receiving, or sales sheets.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping88% perform92%
💡 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 ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.27
Attention to Detail
ImportantAttention 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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