Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products salary in the U.S.
Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products in the U.S. earn a median of $35,730 a year ($17.18 an hour), based on BLS data for 25,180 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,490 for the top 10%. The average (mean) salary is $36,430, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for graders and sorters, agricultural products in the U.S.
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,580 | $14.22 |
| 25th percentile | $34,320 | $16.50 |
| Median | $35,730 | $17.18 |
| 75th percentile | $38,260 | $18.39 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,490 | $21.39 |
| Average (mean) | $36,430 | $17.51 |
Half of graders and sorters, agricultural products earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,977.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,488.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,374.23 |
| Weekly | $687.12 |
| Hourly | $17.18 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $35,730 salary, see how much house you can afford at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products salary by state
| State | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado | $48,740 | 230 |
| Minnesota | $47,540 | 30 |
| Maine | $45,810 | 40 |
| North Dakota | $45,590 | 260 |
| Nebraska | $45,560 | 330 |
| Utah | $42,710 | 100 |
| Iowa | $42,450 | 170 |
| Massachusetts | $41,770 | 40 |
| Maryland | $41,740 | 430 |
| Illinois | $41,670 | 220 |
| South Dakota | $39,900 | 380 |
| Michigan | $39,180 | 100 |
| Ohio | $38,500 | 100 |
| Pennsylvania | $38,430 | 970 |
| Kansas | $38,170 | 160 |
| New Jersey | $37,880 | n/a |
| Kentucky | $37,300 | 160 |
| Tennessee | $36,880 | 640 |
| California | $36,330 | 5,750 |
| Louisiana | $36,090 | 280 |
| Texas | $36,090 | 1,950 |
| Missouri | $35,800 | 530 |
| Georgia | $35,450 | 1,700 |
| Alabama | $35,390 | 840 |
| Arkansas | $35,310 | 1,650 |
| Washington | $34,950 | 2,830 |
| Virginia | $34,860 | 230 |
| North Carolina | $34,720 | 450 |
| Oklahoma | $34,700 | 260 |
| Oregon | $34,660 | 730 |
| South Carolina | $34,510 | 230 |
| Wisconsin | $33,250 | 110 |
| Arizona | $31,700 | 170 |
| New Mexico | $30,480 | 90 |
| Mississippi | $30,140 | 1,140 |
| Idaho | $27,680 | 600 |
| Florida | $27,470 | 880 |
Best-paying metro areas for graders and sorters, agricultural products
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $48,700 | 40 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $46,350 | 80 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $44,510 | 210 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $44,370 | 40 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $43,430 | 120 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $41,350 | 240 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $39,900 | 30 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $39,870 | n/a |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $39,170 | 150 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $38,890 | 110 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $38,680 | 260 |
| Salem, OR | $38,550 | 130 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $37,650 | 70 |
| Salinas, CA | $37,340 | 520 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $37,210 | 100 |
Metro areas with the most graders and sorters, agricultural products
| Metro area | Workers | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| Yakima, WA | 1,250 | $34,750 |
| Fresno, CA | 950 | $35,010 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 720 | $35,310 |
| Visalia, CA | 540 | $34,960 |
| Salinas, CA | 520 | $37,340 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | 460 | $35,080 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | 420 | $36,000 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | 390 | $35,720 |
| Gainesville, GA | 370 | $35,080 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 360 | $36,450 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 330 | $36,350 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 270 | $27,170 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 260 | $38,680 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | 240 | $41,350 |
| Modesto, CA | 220 | $37,000 |
Related jobs in the U.S.
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse | $35,660 | $17.15 |
| Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals | $36,670 | $17.63 |
| Agricultural Equipment Operator | $41,730 | $20.06 |
| Agricultural Inspector | $49,940 | $24.01 |
| Agricultural Workers, All Other | $39,850 | $19.16 |
| Animal Breeder | $51,130 | $24.58 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers | $59,320 | $28.52 |
| Logging Equipment Operator | $49,740 | $23.91 |
| Forest and Conservation Workers | $43,680 | $21.00 |
| Faller | $52,100 | $25.05 |
| Log Graders and Scalers | $46,330 | $22.27 |
| Logging Workers, All Other | $50,840 | $24.44 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 45-2041. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a graders and sorters, agricultural products make in the U.S.?
The median salary for graders and sorters, agricultural products in the U.S. is $35,730 a year, or $17.18 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,490 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid graders and sorters, agricultural products make in the U.S.?
The top 10% of graders and sorters, agricultural products in the U.S. earn at least $44,490 a year. The top 25% earn $38,260 or more.
What is the starting pay for graders and sorters, agricultural products in the U.S.?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,580 a year, and a quarter of graders and sorters, agricultural products earn $34,320 or less.
How many graders and sorters, agricultural products work in the U.S.?
About 25,180 graders and sorters, agricultural products are employed in the U.S., not counting the self-employed.