Occupation · SOC 45-2041
Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products
Grade, sort, or classify unprocessed food and other agricultural products by size, weight, color, or condition.
Median wage
$35,430
$30,490–$43,280
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
26,870
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
0 mapped
Core skills
MonitoringActive ListeningSpeakingCritical ThinkingCoordinationReading ComprehensionWritingJudgment and Decision Making
Knowledge areas
Production and ProcessingEnglish Language
Technology & tools
Data base user interface and query softwareWeb platform development softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareElectronic mail software
Representative tasks
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 container
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Standard grade charts and color cards — reference accurately under a senior grader's review on a packing line.Routine product inspection (size, defect, color) — call grades per the operation's standards.Standard sampling at the line — pull, identify, and record on a defined frequency.Personal protective equipment and food-safety practice — apply consistently in cold and damp environments.Line speed and pace expectations — meet on assigned stations after onboarding.Routine reject and rework codes — apply correctly to flagged product.Hand tools and grading aids (knives, gauges, color meters) — use safely per training.Communication with line leads — relay grade trends and equipment issues during shift.Daily grader logs — maintain accurately for the supervisor's review.Personal-hygiene rules (handwashing, hair restraint, jewelry) — apply consistently.
developing
Independent grading on routine product streams — call grades accurately with the operation's tolerances.USDA voluntary grade standards (apples, eggs, beef) — apply consistently to inspected lots.Lot-level grade summaries — compile and submit to QC and packing-shed leads.Trend recognition (size drift, color shift, defect spikes) — flag to operations with documented evidence.Junior graders and seasonal hires — train on grade calls, pace, and safety.Sampling and audit support — provide for buyer or USDA visits.Equipment troubleshooting (graders, sorters, color cameras) — escalate appropriately with diagnostic detail.Reject and rework pile management — coordinate with packing leads to keep yields tight.Cross-shift hand-offs — conduct with documentation on grade trends and equipment status.Continuous-grading certifications (USDA Federal-State Inspection) — maintain through annual updates.
proficient
Full-shift grading and QC leadership — own with documented yields and grade accuracy.USDA Federal-State Inspector certification — maintain and apply on mandatory and voluntary grade work.Buyer audits and packer-grade disputes — handle with documented samples and standards.Junior graders and grade-room operators — supervise across a packing shed or line.Sortation-equipment calibration and tuning — own in coordination with vendors and engineering.Continuous-improvement projects (defect tracking, yield improvement, line speed) — lead with measurable outcomes.Standards training for production staff — deliver to maintain consistent grade calls.Cross-commodity grading (transferring across product lines or seasons) — adapt with documented standards.Quality reports for management and buyers — author with confidence and credibility.Standard certifications and refreshers — own across the grading team.
advanced
Quality-and-grade strategy for a packing shed, cooperative, or processor — set across product, season, and buyer relationships.Major buyer relationships (retailers, food service) — own at the standards and dispute-resolution level.Capital decisions (sorting technology, color cameras, X-ray) — author and defend.USDA and industry committee leadership — contribute through standards bodies.Continuous-improvement programs across multiple sites — lead with measurable yield and quality gains.Workforce development and grader certifications — own with measurable retention.Buyer audit and complaint resolution — lead at executive level.Industry conferences and standards proceedings — represent the operation.Cross-functional engagement with growers, harvest crews, and packers — lead on quality programs.Legacy mentorship and field-shaping standards — institutionalize through training and certification.
Also known as
128 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Potato InspectorCotton GraderWool Fleece SorterSorter, Agricultural ProduceStrawberry SorterPotato SorterDistribution TechnicianWool GraderCitrus Fruit PackerGraderFruit GraderFlower GraderCelery TierOyster SorterCarrot TierPoultry GraderChicken SexerWool-Fleece SorterTobacco SorterFruit CullerPecan PickerFruit ExpertTobacco GraderPoultry SexerLeaf StripperCelery CutterPeanut SeparatorAgricultural Produce SorterGrain SamplerAsparagus BuncherMeat InspectorFruit CheckerFood TasterWool Fleece GraderCoffee TasterEgg WorkerFood Safety SpecialistVegetable BuncherTobacco SizerCheese Grader