Food grader

About this occupation

Food graders inspect, sort and grade food products. They grade food products according to sensory criteria or with the help of machinery. They determine the product's use by grading them into the appropriate classes and discarding damaged or expired foods. Food graders measure and weigh the products and report their findings so the food can be further processed.

• Inspect food processing areas to ensure compliance with government regulations and standards for sanitation, safety, quality, and waste management.
• Check raw ingredients for maturity or stability for processing, and finished products for safety, quality, and nutritional value.
• Study methods to improve aspects of foods, such as chemical composition, flavor, color, texture, nutritional value, and convenience.
• Develop food standards and production specifications, safety and sanitary regulations, and waste management and water supply specifications.
• Stay up to date on new regulations and current events regarding food science by reviewing scientific literature.
• Study the structure and composition of food or the changes foods undergo in storage and processing.

Typical education (US)

Bachelor's Degree

Preparation

Job Zone 4 of 5

Interests

Investigative, Realistic, Conventional

Top skills: Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Active Learning, Active Listening, Writing, Speaking

US median pay: US$88,720 a year (2025), 13,060 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.

Subjects this work relies on

How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).

• Agriculture or Foods and NutritionO*NET: Food ProductionVery important (4.1)
• ChemistryO*NET: ChemistryVery important (4.0)
• English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (4.0)
• Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsVery important (3.7)
• BiologyO*NET: BiologyImportant (3.5)
• Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsImportant (3.3)
• Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementImportant (3.1)
• Design and TechnologyO*NET: Design + Engineering and TechnologyImportant (3.1)

O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.

Preparation needed

Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed

Most common education (US)

Bachelor's Degree

Education

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Experience

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Training

Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.