Also called: Packer, Fruit Sorter, Packing Line Worker
Sorts, grades, and packs fruit and vegetables for shipping to grocery stores.
On the packing line, workers pull bruised apples, pack cherries into clamshells, and stack boxes onto pallets. Optical sorters do some of the work, and workers keep them running.
No formal education, about 0 years after high school. No degree needed; trained on the job.
Ways in: On-the-job training. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Shrinking (about -2% over 10 years). BLS 2025-35 projection band for SOC 45-2041: Decline (-1% or lower).
Medium risk in 5 years, high in 10. Optical sorters already grade fruit and robot packers are spreading; fewer hand-packing jobs, more machine-tending roles.
Age 16+. One way to start: Apply at a fruit or vegetable packing house before harvest season; they train you on the line
Classes: Agriculture science, Math.
Official data: O*NET occupation 45-2041.
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