How long does it take to become a Sorter?

It takes 2 years of professional experience to become a sorter. That is the time it takes to learn specific sorter skills, but does not account for time spent in formal education.

How To Become A Sorter: What It Is and Career Path

What is a sorter and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

A sorter is responsible for sorting different products, materials or items based on specific criteria. They work in industries such as warehousing, logistics, manufacturing and recycling. Sorters use sorting systems and equipment to organize and categorize items according to size, weight, color, shape or other attributes. They may also inspect items and remove any that do not meet the standards. Additionally, sorters maintain a clean and safe work environment and ensure items are processed efficiently.

ScoreSorterUS Average

Salary

2.5

Avg. Salary $31,465

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

1.5

Growth Rate 6%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

5.9

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.43%

Asian 2.65%

Black or African American 10.20%

Hispanic or Latino 42.11%

Unknown 3.16%

White 41.44%

Gender

female 39.50%

male 60.50%

Age - 44

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 44

Stress Level

1.5

Stress level is low

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

3.1

Complexity Level is basic

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

10.0

Work Life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a Sorter?

Pros

Opportunity for overtime
Minimal education and experience requirements
Teamwork-oriented environment
Training provided on the job
Flexibility in scheduling

Cons

Low pay
Long hours standing
Shift work may disrupt sleep schedule
Work environment can be noisy and dusty
High turnover rate in some companies

Key steps to become a sorter

Explore sorter education requirements

Most common sorter degrees

High School Diploma

51.5 %

Associate

15.0 %

Bachelor's

13.5 %

Start to develop specific sorter skills

Skills	Percentages
Warehouse Environment	35.02%
Industrial Trucks	21.26%
Customer Orders	5.74%
Recyclable Materials	5.17%
Stand-Up Forklift	4.55%

Complete relevant sorter training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New sorters learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a sorter based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real sorter resumes.

Research sorter duties and responsibilities

Train and apply HAZWOPER program compliance through 29 CFR 1910.120. using full PPE including SCBA implementation.
Sort checks on a NCR 3890.
Process ATM transactions for off-site machines.
Prime trainer for Unisys and NCR proof machines.

Prepare your sorter resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your sorter resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a sorter resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable Sorter Resume templates

Build a professional Sorter resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Sorter resume.

Apply for sorter jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a sorter job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do sorters rate their job?

What is a sorter and how to become one

What are the pros and cons of being a Sorter?

Sorter career paths

Key steps to become a sorter

Explore sorter education requirements

Most common sorter degrees

Start to develop specific sorter skills

Complete relevant sorter training and internships

Research sorter duties and responsibilities

Prepare your sorter resume

Choose From 10+ Customizable Sorter Resume templates

Apply for sorter jobs

How Did You Land Your First Sorter Job

Average sorter salary

How do sorters rate their job?

Sorter FAQs

How long does it take to become a Sorter?

Search for sorter jobs

Sorter jobs by state