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Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products Salary in Tennessee: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products salary really buy you in Tennessee?

Tennessee is 8.2% cheaper than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$36,880
Median annual (2025)
+8.9%
Real Purchasing Power
$40,174
COL-adjusted (RPP=91.8)

Tennessee Cost of Living Index

Tennessee's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 91.8, meaning prices are 8.2% lower the national average. A Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products earning $36,880 in Tennessee has the equivalent purchasing power of $40,174 in an average-cost US state.

TN: 91.8
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Tennessee's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $34,670 $37,766 +$3,096
25th Percentile (P25) $36,090 $39,313 +$3,223
Median (P50) $36,880 $40,174 +$3,294
75th Percentile (P75) $40,340 $43,943 +$3,603
90th Percentile (P90) $41,450 $45,152 +$3,702
Key Insight

A Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products in Tennessee earns $36,880 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 9% further — like earning $40,174 in an average-cost state. This makes Tennessee one of the best value states for this occupation.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

Tennessee Runs Well Below National Cost

RPP 91.8

Tennessee's Regional Price Parity (RPP) of 91.8 means a basket of goods and services costs about 8.2% less than the national average. For a Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products, every dollar earned effectively buys more here than in a 100-RPP state.

Meaningful Purchasing-Power Shift

+8.9%

After applying Tennessee's RPP, the $36,880 median salary translates to $40,174 in real terms — a 8.9% gain. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products.

Above-Median Adjusted Pay

#16 / 37

Tennessee sits at #16 of 37 states for Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products COL-adjusted salary — comfortably above the national midpoint.

Best States for Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products (After Cost of Living)

Where does Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

$51,397
RPP 88.7
$50,734
RPP 89.8
$48,659
RPP 97.7
4. Iowa
$48,020
RPP 88.4
$47,644
RPP 102.3
6. Maine
$45,446
RPP 100.8
$45,340
RPP 88.0
8. Utah
$45,195
RPP 94.5
9. Kansas
$42,411
RPP 90.0
10. Ohio
$42,076
RPP 91.5

Tennessee ranks #16 out of 37 states for Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products take-home pay in Tennessee after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products in Tennessee after cost of living?

A Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products in Tennessee earns a median salary of $36,880 per year. After adjusting for Tennessee's cost of living (RPP=91.8), the real purchasing power is $40,174 — a +8.9% difference.

Is Tennessee expensive to live in?

Tennessee's cost of living is 8.2% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Tennessee is 91.8 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products in Tennessee: $36,880 x (100 / 91.8) = $40,174. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products in Tennessee financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products in Tennessee enjoys 8.9% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.

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