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What is a grade setter 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 grade setter. For example, did you know that they make an average of $19.8 an hour? That's $41,193 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 4% and produce 60,200 job opportunities across the U.S.
ScoreGrade SetterUS Average
Salary
3.2

Avg. Salary $41,193

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
8.6

Growth rate 4%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
3.9
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.09%

Asian 1.44%

Black or African American 5.70%

Hispanic or Latino 23.46%

Unknown 3.89%

White 64.42%

Gender

female 9.33%

male 90.67%

Age - 46
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 - 46
Stress level
8.6

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
7.4

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
4.1

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a grade setter

  1. Explore grade setter education requirements

    Most common grade setter degrees

    High School Diploma

    47.8 %

    Associate

    21.7 %

    Bachelor's

    13.0 %
  2. Start to develop specific grade setter skills

    SkillsPercentages
    GPS41.78%
    Asphalt31.61%
    Equipment Operators18.26%
    Water Truck8.35%
  3. Complete relevant grade setter training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New grade setters 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 grade setter based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real grade setter resumes.
  4. Research grade setter duties and responsibilities

    • Stamp and expose sidewalks and patios
    • Work with geologists to ensure proper depth are reached on dig sites.
  5. Apply for grade setter jobs

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

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

How did you land your first grade setter job

Zippi

Are you a grade setter?

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Average grade setter salary

The average grade setter salary in the United States is $41,193 per year or $20 per hour. Grade setter salaries range between $25,000 and $66,000 per year.

Average grade setter salary
$41,193 Yearly
$19.80 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do grade setters rate their job?

3/5

Based on 1 ratings

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Grade setter reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2019
Cons

Oh I do like anything about it because because that’s my career


profile
3.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2019
Pros

I just started and did it with this guy for 2 months. I would like to learn more about it

Cons

I love it all


Working as a grade setter? Share your experience anonymously.
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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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