Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products Salary
Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products earn a median $35,730 a year nationally. Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations
U.S. median
$35,730
$17.18 per hour
Range
$29,580 – $44,490
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
25,180
across the U.S.
▲0.8%
Pay trend: The median for graders and sorters, agricultural products in the U.S. rose from $35,430 (May 2024) to $35,730 (May 2025). That trailed inflation (2.4%), so buying power slipped about 1.6%.
What graders and sorters, agricultural products do
Grade, sort, or classify unprocessed food and other agricultural products by size, weight, color, or condition.
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -3.4% (declining)
- Openings per year
- 5,800
- Self-employed
- 1%
Employment of graders and sorters, agricultural products is projected to shrink 3.4% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 5,800 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$30,889
per year · effective tax rate 13.5%
$2,574Monthly
$1,287Twice a month
$1,188Every 2 weeks
$14.85Hourly
- Federal income tax$2,108
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,215
- Medicare (1.45%)$518
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$30,889
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,580 | $14.22 | $25,948 |
| 25th percentile | $34,320 | $16.50 | $29,756 |
| Median (50th) | $35,730 | $17.18 | $30,889 |
| 75th percentile | $38,260 | $18.39 | $32,922 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,490 | $21.39 | $37,928 |
Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | $48,740 | +51.1% | $39,906 | $30,960 – $55,510 | 230 |
| Minnesota | $47,540 | — | $38,654 | $38,310 – $52,440 | 30 |
| Maine | $45,810 | +0.3% | $37,078 | $35,490 – $46,670 | 40 |
| North Dakota | $45,590 | −1.5% | $38,812 | $36,720 – $53,970 | 260 |
| Nebraska | $45,560 | +1.2% | $37,594 | $34,780 – $62,930 | 330 |
| Utah | $42,710 | +0.1% | $35,542 | $37,220 – $44,030 | 100 |
| Iowa | $42,450 | +2.1% | $35,327 | $39,240 – $55,740 | 170 |
| Massachusetts | $41,770 | — | $33,874 | $31,200 – $45,500 | 40 |
| Maryland | $41,740 | +17.1% | $34,099 | $32,960 – $63,970 | 430 |
| Illinois | $41,670 | +6.9% | $33,744 | $36,270 – $46,910 | 220 |
| South Dakota | $39,900 | +0.4% | $34,240 | $30,140 – $48,720 | 380 |
| Michigan | $39,180 | +21.8% | $32,247 | $30,910 – $63,640 | 100 |
| Ohio | $38,500 | −0.8% | $32,838 | $22,260 – $47,020 | 100 |
| Pennsylvania | $38,430 | −0.6% | $31,879 | $35,760 – $44,590 | 970 |
| Kansas | $38,170 | −17.2% | $31,519 | $24,860 – $54,680 | 160 |
| New Jersey | $37,880 | +5.0% | $32,008 | $33,330 – $38,910 | — |
| Kentucky | $37,300 | +6.3% | $30,963 | $28,490 – $37,400 | 160 |
| Tennessee | $36,880 | +2.5% | $31,813 | $34,670 – $41,450 | 640 |
| California | $36,330 | +0.4% | $30,456 | $34,320 – $42,170 | 5,750 |
| Louisiana | $36,090 | −0.3% | $30,482 | $26,050 – $52,830 | 280 |
| Texas | $36,090 | +1.7% | $31,178 | $29,280 – $42,910 | 1,950 |
| Missouri | $35,800 | −8.9% | $30,200 | $33,990 – $39,050 | 530 |
| Georgia | $35,450 | −0.1% | $29,447 | $25,870 – $42,390 | 1,700 |
| Alabama | $35,390 | +0.9% | $29,111 | $30,330 – $36,580 | 840 |
| Arkansas | $35,310 | +3.7% | $29,387 | $32,750 – $38,190 | 1,650 |
| Washington | $34,950 | +0.3% | $30,262 | $34,650 – $39,360 | 2,830 |
| Virginia | $34,860 | −6.9% | $29,000 | $34,600 – $44,110 | 230 |
| North Carolina | $34,720 | +2.0% | $29,201 | $23,830 – $40,930 | 450 |
| Oklahoma | $34,700 | −0.3% | $29,045 | $26,380 – $46,410 | 260 |
| Oregon | $34,660 | −1.5% | $27,826 | $29,650 – $44,200 | 730 |
| South Carolina | $34,510 | +4.6% | $28,995 | $30,310 – $40,330 | 230 |
| Wisconsin | $33,250 | −17.8% | $28,214 | $23,170 – $46,730 | 110 |
| Arizona | $31,700 | — | $27,067 | $30,770 – $44,020 | 170 |
| New Mexico | $30,480 | +2.4% | $26,304 | $27,320 – $35,700 | 90 |
| Mississippi | $30,140 | −4.8% | $25,924 | $15,940 – $33,950 | 1,140 |
| Idaho | $27,680 | +0.2% | $24,046 | $23,710 – $45,590 | 600 |
| Florida | $27,470 | −10.8% | $24,232 | $27,040 – $35,360 | 880 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse | $35,660 | No formal educational credential | -2.4% |
| Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals | $36,670 | No formal educational credential | -3.2% |
| Agricultural Workers, All Other | $39,850 | No formal educational credential | +3.8% |
| Agricultural Equipment Operator | $41,730 | No formal educational credential | +8.6% |
| Agricultural Inspector | $49,940 | Bachelor's degree | +2.3% |
| Animal Breeder | $51,130 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.0% |
| Forest and Conservation Worker | $43,680 | High school diploma or equivalent | -1.5% |
| Log Grader and Scaler | $46,330 | High school diploma or equivalent | -2.2% |
| Logging Equipment Operator | $49,740 | High school diploma or equivalent | -3.8% |
| Logging Workers, All Other | $50,840 | High school diploma or equivalent | -7.6% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a graders and sorters, agricultural products make?
The national median salary for graders and sorters, agricultural products is $35,730 a year ($17.18 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $29,580 and the top 10% earn over $44,490. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays graders and sorters, agricultural products the most?
Colorado has the highest median pay at $48,740.
How many graders and sorters, agricultural products are there in the U.S.?
About 25,180 people work as graders and sorters, agricultural products nationwide.