How much does a grader and sorter make?
The median grader and sorter in the United States earns $35,430 per year, about $17.03 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all graders and sorters earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 45-2041.
Grader and sorter salary range
Pay for graders and sorters spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $30,490 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $43,280. The average (mean) wage of $36,080 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $30,490 | $14.66 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $33,550 | $16.13 | |
| Median (50th) | $35,430 | $17.03 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $38,010 | $18.28 | |
| 90th percentile | $43,280 | $20.81 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for graders and sorters, agricultural products (SOC 45-2041), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Grader and sorter salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Graders and sorters earn the most in North Dakota at $46,290 a year, and the least in Idaho at $27,620. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | $46,290 | 120 |
| Kansas | $46,120 | 150 |
| Maine | $45,660 | N/A |
| Nebraska | $45,000 | 190 |
| Utah | $42,660 | 110 |
| Iowa | $41,570 | 320 |
| Wisconsin | $40,470 | 100 |
| South Dakota | $39,730 | 460 |
| Missouri | $39,280 | 300 |
| Illinois | $38,980 | N/A |
| Ohio | $38,810 | 190 |
| Pennsylvania | $38,680 | 770 |
| Virginia | $37,450 | 250 |
| California | $36,190 | 6,920 |
| Louisiana | $36,190 | 110 |
| New Jersey | $36,090 | N/A |
| West Virginia | $36,060 | 70 |
| Tennessee | $35,990 | 420 |
| Maryland | $35,650 | 320 |
| Georgia | $35,480 | 1,780 |
| Texas | $35,480 | 1,920 |
| Oregon | $35,200 | 650 |
| Kentucky | $35,090 | 110 |
| Alabama | $35,080 | 770 |
| Washington | $34,860 | 3,780 |
| Oklahoma | $34,790 | 230 |
| Arkansas | $34,040 | 1,430 |
| North Carolina | $34,040 | 720 |
| South Carolina | $32,990 | 190 |
| Colorado | $32,260 | 240 |
| Michigan | $32,160 | 150 |
| Mississippi | $31,660 | 1,320 |
| Florida | $30,780 | 660 |
| New Mexico | $29,760 | 120 |
| Idaho | $27,620 | 630 |
State median wages for graders and sorters, agricultural products (SOC 45-2041), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for graders and sorters
The BLS projects employment of graders and sorters to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 3.4%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 45,400 jobs in 2025 moving toward 43,800 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 5,800 openings a year for graders and sorters. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a grader and sorter
The typical entry-level education for graders and sorters is no formal educational credential, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a grader and sorter earns
Employer, season, region, and level of responsibility shape pay. Supervisory and specialized roles pay above seasonal and entry-level work.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (North Dakota, $46,290) and the lowest (Idaho, $27,620) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 26,870 people work as graders and sorters in the United States. At $35,430 a year, the job pays below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Grader and sorter salary FAQ
How much does a grader and sorter make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a grader and sorter is $17.03. The middle half of graders and sorters earn between $16.13 and $18.28 per hour.
What is the highest grader and sorter salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of graders and sorters earn more than $43,280 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a grader and sorter make a year?
The median annual salary for a grader and sorter is $35,430. The average (mean) wage of $36,080 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a grader and sorter a well paid job?
At $35,430 a year, a grader and sorter earns below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 26,870 people work as graders and sorters in the United States.
Which state pays graders and sorters the most?
North Dakota has the highest median salary for graders and sorters at $46,290 a year. Kansas ($46,120) and Maine ($45,660) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a grader and sorter a good career?
Employment of graders and sorters is projected to shrink 3.4% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 5,800 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a grader and sorter?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for graders and sorters as no formal educational credential, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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