SOC 45-2041 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products — California
California · 10 metro areas compared
At $36,330, median pay for Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products in California tracks the national median of $35,730 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $36,330, median pay for Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products in California tracks the national median of $35,730 closely. Pay ranges from under $34,320 at the tenth percentile to more than $42,170 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $34,870 to $37,790.
The area has 5,750 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.95 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. California ranks number 19th out of 37 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, San Francisco records the highest median at $46,350. Of the 793 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 785th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,320 | −3.9% |
| 25th | $34,870 | −2.4% |
| Median (50th) | $36,330 | +1.7% |
| 75th | $37,790 | +5.8% |
| 90th | $42,170 | +18.0% |
| Mean | $37,350 | +4.5% |
Highest-paying metro areas in California
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco | $46,350 | 80 | |
| 2 | Sacramento | $44,510 | 210 | |
| 3 | Los Angeles | $38,680 | 260 | |
| 4 | Salinas | $37,340 | 520 | |
| 5 | Modesto | $37,000 | 220 | |
| 6 | Yuba City | $36,900 | 70 | |
| 7 | Oxnard | $36,880 | 110 | |
| 8 | Merced | $36,420 | 170 | |
| 9 | Stockton | $36,350 | 330 | |
| 10 | Chico | $36,120 | 70 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in California run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $36,330 buys what $32,818 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 8.2% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$36,330as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$32,818US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $36,330 a year, 1.7% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $34,320 to $42,170 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 5,750 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 19th of 37 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is San Francisco, at $46,350.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products in California?
The median annual wage is $36,330, or $17.47 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $35,730, so pay in California is 1.7% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in California earns more than $42,170 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $34,320 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in San Francisco, at $46,350 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 5,750 jobs in this occupation in California. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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