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Careers›Roles›Test Grader
Mid-Level

Test Grader

A Test Grader evaluates student exams or assessments — applying rubrics consistently, scoring at scale, and providing the assessment data instructors and institutions rely on.

Career Level
Junior
Mid
Senior
Director
VP
Executive
Work Personality
S
C
R
E
I
A
Socialhelping, teaching
Conventionalorganizing, detail-oriented
Based on Holland Code framework
Jump to:What it's likeCareer pathsBy the numbers
What it's like

What it's like to be a Test Grader

Days tend to revolve around stacks (or queues) of test responses. You're scoring against a rubric, calibrating with other graders, and tracking score patterns that surface inconsistencies. The pace can be intense during exam windows and quieter between them.

The collaboration tends to be asynchronous and rubric-mediated. You're working with lead instructors, course coordinators, or testing-organization quality teams, and norming sessions to align on rubric application are usually part of the rhythm. Disagreements about strictness can be a real undercurrent.

People who tend to thrive bring patience for repetition, calibration discipline, and steady stamina for sustained focused work. If you need direct teaching contact, faster feedback loops, or visible career progression, the role's narrow specialization can feel constraining.

What people in this role value
Work values data not available for this role.
✦ Editorial — written by Truest from industry research and career patterns

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Career Paths

Where this role sits in the broader career landscape — and where it can take you.

Earning potential across this track
$239K$179K$119K$60K$0KLower paying387 metro areas, sorted by salary level
All experience levels1
This level's estimated range
INDUSTRIES PAYING ABOVE AVERAGE
Financial Services$96K+59%
Energy & Utilities$92K+53%
Professional Services$91K+50%
Technology & Information$87K+44%
Wholesale & Distribution$66K+10%
Compared to Education average across all industries
1 BLS OEWS May 2024 covers all Test Graders (SOC 25-9042.00), not just this title · BEA RPP 2023
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.
Related rolesExplore Education →
Test GraderParaeducatorTeacher's AideEducational AssistantTA (Teaching Assistant)Grading ClerkPaper GraderTeacher AideClassroom AidePreschool AideParaprofessionalPractice TeacherInstructional AideClassroom AssistantSchool Reading AideTeacher's AssistantLearning Support AideParaprofessional AideBilingual Teacher AideKindergarten AssistantPreschool Teacher AideTA (Teacher Assistant)Instructional AssistantSchool ParaprofessionalParaprofessional Educator+1 more

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✦ Editorial — career progression and interview guidance based on industry patterns
The Broader Landscape

Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.

$24K–$50K
Salary Range
10th – 90th percentile
1.5M
U.S. Employment

How Test Grader pay & employment are changing

$74K$72K$69K$67K$65K201920202021202220232024$65K$74K
BLS OEWS May 2024 · BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034

Skills & Requirements

Active ListeningSocial PerceptivenessReading ComprehensionSpeakingService OrientationCoordinationLearning StrategiesMonitoringWritingInstructing
O*NET OnLine · Bureau of Labor Statistics
Mapped SOC Codes
25-9042.00

Explore related roles

Roles with similar work and overlapping career paths

midParaeducator$36KmidTeacher's Aide$36KmidEducational Assistant$36KmidTA (Teaching Assistant)$36KmidGrading Clerk$44KmidPaper Grader$36K
View all Education roles →

Common questions about what it's like to be a Test Grader

What does a Test Grader do?

A Test Grader evaluates student exams or assessments — applying rubrics consistently, scoring at scale, and providing the assessment data instructors and institutions rely on.

How much does a Test Grader make?

Median pay for a Test Grader is about $36K nationally, with the field ranging roughly from $24K to $50K depending on experience, employer, and metro (BLS).

What skills does a Test Grader need?

Core skills for this role include Active Listening, Social Perceptiveness, Reading Comprehension, Speaking, and Service Orientation.

What education do you need to be a Test Grader?

Most people in this role hold a high school diploma.

What jobs are similar to a Test Grader?

Closely related roles include Paraeducator, Teacher's Aide, and Educational Assistant.

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Federal data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024) · BLS Employment Projections · O*NET OnLine
Truest editorial: Fit check, role profile, things that vary, advancement analysis, lateral moves, interview questions.

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