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Farming, Fishing & Forestry

Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products

Also called: Agriculture Laborer, Apple Sorter, Corn Lab Technician, Distribution Technician

US median pay

$35,730

per year, 2025

Job growth 2025–35

-3.4%

declining

Openings a year (US)

5,800

45,400 employed

Typical entry education

No formal educational credential

Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation

What this job is

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

What they do day to day

  • 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 containers for further processing.
  • Grade and sort products according to factors such as color, species, length, width, appearance, feel, smell, and quality to ensure correct processing and usage.
  • Record grade or identification numbers on tags or on shipping, receiving, or sales sheets.

Skills and knowledge that matter most

Skills

  • Coordination2.5/5
  • Time Management2.2/5
  • Judgment and Decision Making2.2/5
  • Social Perceptiveness2.1/5
  • Complex Problem Solving2.1/5
  • Systems Analysis1.9/5
  • Service Orientation1.9/5
  • Quality Control Analysis1.9/5

Knowledge

  • Production and Processing3.6/5
  • English Language3.0/5
  • Mechanical3.0/5
  • Food Production2.8/5
  • Education and Training2.7/5
  • Foreign Language2.4/5

Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).

Education and preparation

Preparation level 2 of 5 — Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma; some previous work experience or training helps.

Typical entry education (BLS): No formal educational credential.

Highest education of people in this job:

  • Less than high school64%
  • High school diploma27%

Who this job suits

Mostly Realistic

Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals

Conventional

Organising data, details and procedures

Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.

Job titles you'll see in postings

Agriculture LaborerApple SorterCorn Lab TechnicianDistribution TechnicianEgg GraderEgg WorkerGraderPotato GraderPotato SorterSorter