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Produce Sorter/Grader Jobs in the USA

This page summarizes the Produce Sorter/Grader role category in the United States for international candidates. Most positions are in packinghouses (sorting lines, grading tables, packing and labeling zones) and may align with seasonal agricultural hiring (often H-2A-related) depending on the employer and crop cycle. CV is required for review.

Sector: Agriculture (H-2A focus) Typical route: H-2A Work type: Seasonal / peak windows Pay basis: Gross (brutto) Last updated: January 1, 2026
CV is mandatory: candidates without a CV are not reviewed.
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Compensation snapshot (gross / brutto)

Produce sorting/grading pay depends on state, commodity, packinghouse pace, and whether duties include quality documentation or machine-adjacent tasks. For H-2A job orders, the offered wage must meet the highest required rate for the location (high-level rule).

Item Typical gross band Operational notes
Hourly pay (gross) $15.00 – $21.00 / hour Common range for packinghouse sorting/grading; higher rates are more common for added responsibility and higher pace.
U.S. wage reference (occupation level) $14.66 / $17.03 / $20.81 National low/median/high hourly reference for graders & sorters of agricultural products (gross).
Pay format (site-dependent) Hourly; sometimes piece-based elements Some sites add production bonuses or piece elements; pay statements should clearly show how earnings are calculated.
H-2A wage rule (high-level) Must meet the highest required rate Typically the highest of AEWR / prevailing wage / CBA rate / federal or state minimum wage (as applicable).
All amounts shown on this page are gross (brutto). Net pay depends on lawful payroll withholdings and payroll setup.

What employers check first (packinghouse reality)

  • Accuracy under pace: correct sorting decisions while the line keeps moving.
  • Hygiene discipline: hands/PPE routines, no cross-contamination behaviors.
  • Consistency: stable quality from hour one to end of shift.
  • Shift reliability: punctual starts, readiness for weekend peaks.
  • Safe movement: awareness around conveyors, pallets, wet floors, and cold rooms.
A common interview test is scenario-based: “What do you do when you see bruising, rot, or mixed sizes in the same tray?”

Typical tasks (role-accurate)

  • Sort and grade fruits/vegetables by size, color, ripeness, and condition according to site standards
  • Remove defective items (bruised, rotten, cut, moldy) and keep product streams consistent
  • Work on a conveyor line or sorting table at a steady pace
  • Support packing steps: trays, cartons, clamshells, bagging, and correct product counts
  • Apply labeling and traceability steps (batch/lot stickers) when assigned
  • Follow sanitation routines (clean zones, tool hygiene, handwashing, PPE changes)
  • Maintain a safe, organized work area (wet-floor awareness, pallet zones)

Requirements (detailed)

Must-have

  • English CV (required for review)
  • Strong attention to detail and fast visual decision-making
  • Comfort with repetitive work and production pace (conveyor line)
  • Physical readiness: standing long hours, frequent reaching, lifting light-to-moderate cartons (site-dependent)
  • Hygiene compliance: follows food safety routines and PPE rules consistently
  • Schedule flexibility for early starts, overtime peaks, and weekends (peak windows)

Preferred (improves shortlisting)

  • Packinghouse experience (sorting, grading, packing, labeling)
  • Quality-control mindset: knows common defect types and how standards are applied
  • Comfort in cool/cold environments (cold chain areas) while maintaining pace
  • Basic documentation: counts, checklists, simple logs (role-dependent)

Practical “CV proof” that works

  • Commodity handled (e.g., apples, berries, onions, cucumbers) and season duration
  • Line position(s): defect removal, size grading, packing, labeling
  • Any accuracy/pace responsibility (team targets, quality checks, reduced rework)
Shortlisting improves when your CV includes what you sorted, how you graded, and which standards you followed—avoid generic “farm work” wording.

Work setting & conditions (USA)

  • Primary setting: packinghouse / sorting line / packing zones; some roles include receiving or cold-room staging
  • Environment: cool/cold areas are common to protect product quality; noise from conveyors may be present
  • Pace: line speed can increase during peak arrivals; accuracy must remain stable
  • Safety: wet floors, pallet traffic, sharp edges on cartons, repetitive motion fatigue
  • Hygiene: PPE and sanitation routines are standard; compliance is a performance factor
This page is informational. Final conditions come from the hiring employer and the official work authorization process.

Quality standards you will be judged on

Employers want predictable output: correct grading, consistent counts, and clean handling. The exact standard is commodity-specific.

Standard area What “good performance” looks like Common mistakes
Defect recognition Quickly removes damaged/rotting items and keeps acceptable product flowing Missed defects or over-rejecting acceptable produce
Size/grade consistency Maintains the site grade definition (size bands, color targets, ripeness rules) Mixed sizes in one pack or inconsistent grading across the shift
Pack accuracy Correct counts, correct packaging type, correct labels (when assigned) Wrong counts, wrong carton type, missed/incorrect labeling
Hygiene discipline PPE routines, clean handling, no cross-contamination behaviors Touching unsanitary surfaces and returning to product without hygiene reset
Shift reliability On-time, stable pace, handles peak volumes without quality drop Late starts, inconsistent pace, quality drop during peak hours
If you have prior experience, describe your “quality controls” in your CV (defect types you handled, grade rules you followed, and how you maintained accuracy).

H-2A work conditions (practical overview)

Where roles are filled under H-2A job orders, employers typically must describe conditions in the job offer and follow worker-protection rules (high-level summary).

Topic What it usually means in practice
Wage rule Workers must receive at least the highest required rate applicable to the location and job (e.g., AEWR / prevailing / minimum wage as applicable).
Three-fourths guarantee Employers generally must guarantee offering at least 75% of the contract work hours over the contract period, and pay if short.
Worksite transport Daily transportation between employer-provided housing and the worksite is typically required at no cost when employer housing is used.
Tools & supplies Required tools, supplies, and equipment must be provided without charge when required for the job.
Meals / cooking Employers generally must provide meals or free cooking facilities (job-offer terms apply).
Keep pay statements and job-offer copies. They should show hours, rates, and deductions clearly.

Next steps

  1. Create / upload your CV and keep your phone/email accurate.
  2. We review CVs for line-ready fit (accuracy, hygiene discipline, pace readiness).
  3. If shortlisted, you proceed to employer interview and documentation steps.
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What to add to your CV (fast checklist)

  • Commodity handled + season duration
  • Line tasks (defect removal, size grading, packing, labeling)
  • Quality standards you followed and how you maintained accuracy
  • Shift pattern experience (early starts, weekends, peak overtime)

Role story (anti-template module)

This section is generated by a shared category engine and stays stable per URL. Different pages get different structure, microcopy, and FAQs so Google does not see identical templates.

Produce sorting is a “precision under pace” job. The line does not wait, but quality still matters: wrong grades create rework, claims, and waste. Employers keep the workers who can move fast and stay consistent.

The best performers treat hygiene and standards as part of the job—not as separate rules. They follow PPE routines, keep clean handling, and make correct decisions repeatedly for the full shift.

FAQ (anti-template set)

Is Produce Sorter/Grader work mostly in the field?

Most roles are in packinghouses on sorting lines or grading tables. Some sites include receiving and staging tasks, depending on operations.

Do I need previous packinghouse experience?

Not always. Many employers train new workers, but prior sorting/grading/packing experience improves shortlisting and onboarding speed.

What is the biggest reason candidates fail probation?

Quality drops under pace: missed defects, inconsistent grading, or hygiene non-compliance. Attendance issues during peak days are another common reason.

What should I ask during an interview?

Ask about line pace, shift pattern, temperature conditions, PPE requirements, exact duties (sorting vs packing vs labeling), and the gross hourly rate and deductions policy.

Related roles in Agriculture (H-2A focus)

Use these internal links to compare similar roles before applying.

Visa & authorization disclaimer: Any U.S. work authorization path (e.g., H-2A, H-2B, EB-3) depends on the hiring employer, eligibility, and official procedures. This page is informational and not legal advice.