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

What is a classifier and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a classifier. For example, did you know that they make an average of $16.62 an hour? That's $34,561 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 6% and produce 8,500 job opportunities across the U.S.

ScoreClassifierUS Average

Salary

2.7

Avg. Salary $34,561

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

5.6

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

2.5

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.33%

Asian 4.98%

Black or African American 6.59%

Hispanic or Latino 7.94%

Unknown 3.60%

White 76.55%

Gender

female 32.67%

male 67.33%

Age - 48

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 - 48

Stress level

5.6

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

5.6

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance

9.5

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a classifier

Explore classifier education requirements

Most common classifier degrees

Bachelor's

62.9 %

Associate

14.7 %

High School Diploma

11.2 %

Start to develop specific classifier skills

Skills	Percentages
Technical Knowledge	37.15%
CPC	33.73%
USPTO	22.69%
Tariff Schedule	1.82%
Classification Process	1.60%

Complete relevant classifier training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New classifiers 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 classifier based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real classifier resumes.

Research classifier duties and responsibilities

Achieve proficiency cataloging electronic materials (audio records, video recordings, and streaming video) and continuing resources/serials.
Review and prepare agency comments on draft classification standards issue by OPM.
Provide opportunities for students to use the library for class-relate research, individual investigation, independent reading, and personal inquiry.
Provide opportunities for students to use the library for class-relate research, individual investigation, independent reading, and personal inquiry.

Prepare your classifier resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your classifier 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 classifier resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable classifier resume templates

Build a professional classifier 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 classifier resume.