Grader and Sorter Salary in the United States (2026)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data · Updated 2026 · Medium Demand
| State | Avg Salary | vs National | Demand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $48,484 | +55.0% | Medium |
| District of Columbia | $47,546 | +52.0% | Medium |
| California | $44,418 | +42.0% | Medium |
| New York | $43,166 | +38.0% | Medium |
| Alaska | $41,290 | +32.0% | Medium |
| Massachusetts | $40,664 | +30.0% | Medium |
| New Jersey | $40,038 | +28.0% | Medium |
| Washington | $39,100 | +25.0% | Medium |
| Connecticut | $38,162 | +22.0% | Medium |
| Maryland | $35,972 | +15.0% | Medium |
| Rhode Island | $35,972 | +15.0% | Medium |
| New Hampshire | $35,659 | +14.0% | Medium |
| Oregon | $35,034 | +12.0% | Medium |
| Colorado | $34,408 | +10.0% | Medium |
| Virginia | $34,408 | +10.0% | Medium |
| Vermont | $33,782 | +8.0% | Medium |
| Delaware | $32,844 | +5.0% | Medium |
| Illinois | $32,844 | +5.0% | Medium |
| Maine | $31,906 | +2.0% | Medium |
| Nevada | $31,906 | +2.0% | Medium |
| Minnesota | $31,280 | +0.0% | Medium |
| Utah | $31,280 | +0.0% | Medium |
| Arizona | $30,967 | -1.0% | Medium |
| Pennsylvania | $30,967 | -1.0% | Medium |
| Florida | $30,654 | -2.0% | Medium |
| Montana | $29,716 | -5.0% | Medium |
| Texas | $29,716 | -5.0% | Medium |
| Georgia | $29,090 | -7.0% | Medium |
| Idaho | $29,090 | -7.0% | Medium |
| Wyoming | $29,090 | -7.0% | Medium |
| North Dakota | $28,778 | -8.0% | Medium |
| Wisconsin | $28,778 | -8.0% | Medium |
| North Carolina | $28,465 | -9.0% | Medium |
| Michigan | $28,152 | -10.0% | Medium |
| Louisiana | $27,526 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Nebraska | $27,526 | -12.0% | Medium |
| New Mexico | $27,526 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Ohio | $27,526 | -12.0% | Medium |
| South Carolina | $27,526 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Tennessee | $27,526 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Alabama | $27,214 | -13.0% | Medium |
| Missouri | $27,214 | -13.0% | Medium |
| South Dakota | $27,214 | -13.0% | Medium |
| Iowa | $26,901 | -14.0% | Medium |
| Indiana | $26,588 | -15.0% | Medium |
| Kansas | $26,588 | -15.0% | Medium |
| Oklahoma | $26,275 | -16.0% | Medium |
| Arkansas | $25,962 | -17.0% | Medium |
| Kentucky | $25,962 | -17.0% | Medium |
| Mississippi | $25,024 | -20.0% | Medium |
| West Virginia | $24,398 | -22.0% | Medium |
A Grader and Sorter's salary is influenced by several key factors including geographic location, years of experience, employer type, and educational background. States with higher costs of living — such as California, New York, and Washington — typically offer 20–40% higher salaries than the national average to compensate for living expenses.
Experience plays a major role in compensation. Entry-level Grader and Sorters typically earn $23,480–$28,280 per year, while senior professionals with 10+ years of experience can command $39,080–$42,578 annually. Specialization and advanced certifications can further boost earning potential.
Employer size also matters. Large corporations and government agencies tend to offer more competitive packages including benefits, retirement plans, and bonuses. The Grader and Sorter role currently has medium demand in the job market with a 1.5% growth rate, making it one of the steadily growing careers in the Agriculture sector.
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What is the average salary for a Grader and Sorter?The average salary for a Grader and Sorter in the United States is $31,280 per year, with a median of $29,280.
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What is the starting salary for a Grader and Sorter?Entry-level Grader and Sorters typically earn between $23,480 and $28,280 per year depending on location and employer.
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What state pays Grader and Sorters the most?California, New York, and Washington typically pay Grader and Sorters the highest salaries due to high cost of living and strong job markets.
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How much does a Grader and Sorter make per hour?Based on the average annual salary of $31,280, a Grader and Sorter earns approximately $15.04 per hour (based on 2,080 working hours/year).
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Is Grader and Sorter a good career in 2026?Yes — the Grader and Sorter role has medium demand with 1.5% year-over-year salary growth, indicating a strong and growing career path.