Graders and sorters, agricultural products
Grade, sort, or classify unprocessed food and other agricultural products by size, weight, color, or condition.
Graders and sorters, agricultural products grade, sort, or classify unprocessed food and other agricultural products by size, weight, color, or condition. The role reports a median annual salary of $35,430 in the US and is projected to decline by 5% over the next decade. Entry typically requires a No formal educational credential, and shows moderate AI exposure (0.62 on a 0-1 scale) — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. The most in-demand skills for the role include Monitoring, Active Listening, Speaking, Coordination, Critical Thinking.
Pay in the UK
UK: median £33,959 a year for Chemical and related process operatives (ONS ASHE 2025, full-time)
Middle half of full-time jobs: £28,813 to £42,542 a year
UK jobs are grouped differently; this is the closest UK occupation group (ONS SOC 2020 8113). ONS rates this estimate reasonably precise. 2025 provisional figures; ONS revises them a year later. Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (Open Government Licence)
Pay in India (occupation group)
Average monthly earnings of salaried employees in the occupation group “Craft and related trades workers” in India, from the Government of India's Periodic Labour Force Survey (January–December 2025). It covers everyone in this group, not only Graders and sorters, agricultural products, and it is not US pay converted to rupees.
Source: MoSPI (Government of India), Periodic Labour Force Survey Annual Report 2025, Table 51 — average wage/salary earnings of regular wage/salaried employees, NCO-2015 division 7. Official India data gives one average per occupation group: there are no official India figures for single careers, experience levels or cities. Read the report
Top skills
Knowledge you'll build
- Production and Processing
- English Language
- Mechanical
- Food Production
- Education and Training
- Foreign Language
- Public Safety and Security
- Administration and Management
What you'd actually do
- 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.
Tools & technology you'd use
Frequently asked questions
What does Graders and sorters, agricultural products do?
Grade, sort, or classify unprocessed food and other agricultural products by size, weight, color, or condition.
How much does Graders and sorters, agricultural products earn?
The median annual salary for Graders and sorters, agricultural products in the US is $35,430.
What is the job outlook for Graders and sorters, agricultural products?
The role is projected to decline by 5% over the next decade. Current US employment is approximately 38,900 workers.
How do I become graders and sorters, agricultural products?
The typical entry education is a No formal educational credential. Building a foundation in the top skills below will strengthen your application.
What skills does Graders and sorters, agricultural products need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include Monitoring, Active Listening, Speaking, Coordination, Critical Thinking, Judgment and Decision Making. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace Graders and sorters, agricultural products?
Our AI-durability model gives Graders and sorters, agricultural products a score of 0.62 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at moderate AI exposure — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. Learning to work with AI tools rather than against them is the path forward.
How hard is it to enter this field?
Graders and sorters, agricultural products has low barrier to entry — generally accessible — you can enter with basic credentials and on-the-job learning.