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
MonitoringSpeakingActive ListeningCritical ThinkingCoordinationWritingTime ManagementReading ComprehensionJudgment and Decision MakingSocial PerceptivenessComplex Problem SolvingActive LearningSystems AnalysisService OrientationQuality Control AnalysisPersuasionNegotiationSystems EvaluationOperations MonitoringMathematicsLearning StrategiesInstructingTroubleshootingOperation and ControlManagement of Personnel ResourcesScienceManagement of Material ResourcesManagement of Financial ResourcesTechnology DesignRepairingProgrammingOperations AnalysisInstallationEquipment SelectionEquipment Maintenance
Knowledge areas
Production and ProcessingEnglish LanguageMechanicalFood ProductionEducation and TrainingForeign LanguagePublic Safety and SecurityAdministration and ManagementCustomer and Personal ServiceMathematicsComputers and ElectronicsTransportationPersonnel and Human ResourcesEngineering and TechnologySales and MarketingChemistryMedicine and DentistryAdministrativePhysicsCommunications and MediaPsychologyBiologyTherapy and CounselingLaw and GovernmentPhilosophy and TheologyBuilding and ConstructionEconomics and AccountingTelecommunicationsHistory and ArcheologyGeographyDesignSociology and AnthropologyFine Arts
Technology & tools
Microsoft AccessMicrosoft Active Server Pages ASPMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WordWord processing software
Representative tasks
Handling and Moving ObjectsIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesGetting InformationMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsPerforming General Physical ActivitiesJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleProcessing InformationEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationDocumenting/Recording InformationCoaching and Developing OthersUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeControlling Machines and ProcessesCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersTraining and Teaching OthersGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersAnalyzing Data or InformationOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationAssisting and Caring for OthersThinking CreativelyDeveloping and Building TeamsMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesScheduling Work and ActivitiesDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesSelling or Influencing OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesWorking with ComputersStaffing Organizational UnitsRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentPerforming for or Working Directly with the Public
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
124 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Agricultural Establishment Grader InspectorAgricultural Produce SorterAgriculture LaborerApple SorterApple TurnerAsparagus BuncherBanana ExpertBanana GraderBean SorterBulb GraderButter GraderCamelid Fiber SorterCarrot BuncherCarrot TierCasing GraderCelery CutterCelery PackerCelery StripperCelery TierCelery WrapperCheese GraderCheese PackerCherry SorterChick GraderChick SexerChicken SexerCitrus Fruit PackerClam SorterCoffee SamplerCoffee TasterCoffee WeigherColoring Room ManColoring Room WorkerCorn Lab TechnicianCotton ClasserCotton Classer AideCotton ExpertCotton GraderCotton Seed CullerDistribution Technician