Graders and sorters, agricultural products
SOC Code: 45-2041
Graders and sorters, agricultural products carries a 37% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $35,430 and -5.4% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 38,900 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
AI Exposure vs Industry Growth
Total occupations tracked
832
Covering all SOC major groups
Data currency
2024
BLS Employment Projections
AI exposure avg
40%
Fleet-wide median across all roles
Composite score weighing O*NET task data completeness, BLS projection methodology, and cross-validation with employer risk grades.
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Graders and sorters, agricultural products (SOC 45-2041) carries an AI exposure score of 37%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 38,900 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a -5.4% change through 2034 — a decline that often compounds with high AI exposure to create displacement headwinds. Median annual compensation stands at $35,430, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires No formal educational credential, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Graders and sorters, agricultural products. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Place products in containers according to grade and mark grades on containers.
- 2. Weigh products or estimate their weight, visually or by feel.
- 3. Discard inferior or defective products or foreign matter, and place acceptable products in containers for further processing.
- 4. Grade and sort products according to factors such as color, species, length, width, appearance, feel, smell, and quality to ensure correct processing and usage.
- 5. Record grade or identification numbers on tags or on shipping, receiving, or sales sheets.
Key Skills Required
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Coordination
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Time Management
- Active Learning
Knowledge Areas
- Production and Processing
- English Language
- Mechanical
- Food Production
- Education and Training
- Foreign Language
- Public Safety and Security
- Administration and Management
- Customer and Personal Service
- Mathematics
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Graders and sorters, agricultural products?
Graders and sorters, agricultural products has an AI exposure score of 37%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Graders and sorters, agricultural products?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Graders and sorters, agricultural products is projected to decline by 5.4% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 38,900 workers.
What skills are needed for Graders and sorters, agricultural products?
Key skills for Graders and sorters, agricultural products include Monitoring, Active Listening, Speaking, and others. Typical entry-level education is No formal educational credential.
How much do Graders and sorters, agricultural products earn?
The median annual wage for Graders and sorters, agricultural products is $35,430, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Graders and sorters, agricultural products?
The typical entry-level education for Graders and sorters, agricultural products is No formal educational credential. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Short-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Graders and sorters, agricultural products?
Graders and sorters, agricultural products roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 5 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
Related Occupations
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).