diff --git a/src/components/moderation/ModerationQueue.tsx b/src/components/moderation/ModerationQueue.tsx
index 48fa5d30..bb1703a3 100644
--- a/src/components/moderation/ModerationQueue.tsx
+++ b/src/components/moderation/ModerationQueue.tsx
@@ -109,15 +109,17 @@ export const ModerationQueue = forwardRef<ModerationQueueRef>((props, ref) => {
       )}
       
       {/* Filter Bar */}
-      <QueueFilters
-        activeEntityFilter={queueManager.filters.entityFilter}
-        activeStatusFilter={queueManager.filters.statusFilter}
-        isMobile={isMobile}
-        onEntityFilterChange={queueManager.filters.setEntityFilter}
-        onStatusFilterChange={queueManager.filters.setStatusFilter}
-        onClearFilters={queueManager.filters.clearFilters}
-        showClearButton={queueManager.filters.hasActiveFilters}
-      />
+        <QueueFilters
+          activeEntityFilter={queueManager.filters.entityFilter}
+          activeStatusFilter={queueManager.filters.statusFilter}
+          sortConfig={queueManager.sort.config}
+          isMobile={isMobile}
+          onEntityFilterChange={queueManager.filters.setEntityFilter}
+          onStatusFilterChange={queueManager.filters.setStatusFilter}
+          onSortChange={queueManager.sort.setConfig}
+          onClearFilters={queueManager.filters.clearFilters}
+          showClearButton={queueManager.filters.hasActiveFilters}
+        />
       
       {/* Active Filters Display */}
       {queueManager.filters.hasActiveFilters && (
diff --git a/src/components/moderation/QueueFilters.tsx b/src/components/moderation/QueueFilters.tsx
index 2e3878cb..c98f8b3f 100644
--- a/src/components/moderation/QueueFilters.tsx
+++ b/src/components/moderation/QueueFilters.tsx
@@ -2,14 +2,17 @@ import { Filter, MessageSquare, FileText, Image, X } from 'lucide-react';
 import { Label } from '@/components/ui/label';
 import { Select, SelectContent, SelectItem, SelectTrigger, SelectValue } from '@/components/ui/select';
 import { Button } from '@/components/ui/button';
-import type { EntityFilter, StatusFilter } from '@/types/moderation';
+import { QueueSortControls } from './QueueSortControls';
+import type { EntityFilter, StatusFilter, SortConfig } from '@/types/moderation';
 
 interface QueueFiltersProps {
   activeEntityFilter: EntityFilter;
   activeStatusFilter: StatusFilter;
+  sortConfig: SortConfig;
   isMobile: boolean;
   onEntityFilterChange: (filter: EntityFilter) => void;
   onStatusFilterChange: (filter: StatusFilter) => void;
+  onSortChange: (config: SortConfig) => void;
   onClearFilters: () => void;
   showClearButton: boolean;
 }
@@ -26,9 +29,11 @@ const getEntityFilterIcon = (filter: EntityFilter) => {
 export const QueueFilters = ({ 
   activeEntityFilter,
   activeStatusFilter,
+  sortConfig,
   isMobile,
   onEntityFilterChange,
   onStatusFilterChange,
+  onSortChange,
   onClearFilters,
   showClearButton
 }: QueueFiltersProps) => {
@@ -107,6 +112,13 @@ export const QueueFilters = ({
             </SelectContent>
           </Select>
         </div>
+
+        {/* Sort Controls */}
+        <QueueSortControls
+          sortConfig={sortConfig}
+          onSortChange={onSortChange}
+          isMobile={isMobile}
+        />
       </div>
 
       {/* Clear Filters Button */}
diff --git a/src/components/moderation/QueueSortControls.tsx b/src/components/moderation/QueueSortControls.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..9fdfb5f5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/components/moderation/QueueSortControls.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,78 @@
+import { ArrowUp, ArrowDown } from 'lucide-react';
+import { Label } from '@/components/ui/label';
+import { Select, SelectContent, SelectItem, SelectTrigger, SelectValue } from '@/components/ui/select';
+import { Button } from '@/components/ui/button';
+import type { SortConfig, SortField } from '@/types/moderation';
+
+interface QueueSortControlsProps {
+  sortConfig: SortConfig;
+  onSortChange: (config: SortConfig) => void;
+  isMobile: boolean;
+}
+
+const SORT_FIELD_LABELS: Record<SortField, string> = {
+  created_at: 'Date Submitted',
+  submission_type: 'Type',
+  status: 'Status'
+};
+
+export const QueueSortControls = ({
+  sortConfig,
+  onSortChange,
+  isMobile
+}: QueueSortControlsProps) => {
+  const handleFieldChange = (field: SortField) => {
+    onSortChange({ ...sortConfig, field });
+  };
+
+  const handleDirectionToggle = () => {
+    onSortChange({
+      ...sortConfig,
+      direction: sortConfig.direction === 'asc' ? 'desc' : 'asc'
+    });
+  };
+
+  const DirectionIcon = sortConfig.direction === 'asc' ? ArrowUp : ArrowDown;
+
+  return (
+    <div className={`flex gap-2 ${isMobile ? 'flex-col' : 'items-end'}`}>
+      <div className={`space-y-2 ${isMobile ? 'w-full' : 'min-w-[160px]'}`}>
+        <Label className={`font-medium ${isMobile ? 'text-xs' : 'text-sm'}`}>
+          Sort By
+        </Label>
+        <Select 
+          value={sortConfig.field} 
+          onValueChange={handleFieldChange}
+        >
+          <SelectTrigger className={isMobile ? "h-10" : ""}>
+            <SelectValue>
+              {SORT_FIELD_LABELS[sortConfig.field]}
+            </SelectValue>
+          </SelectTrigger>
+          <SelectContent>
+            {Object.entries(SORT_FIELD_LABELS).map(([field, label]) => (
+              <SelectItem key={field} value={field}>
+                {label}
+              </SelectItem>
+            ))}
+          </SelectContent>
+        </Select>
+      </div>
+
+      <div className={isMobile ? "" : "pb-[2px]"}>
+        <Button
+          variant="outline"
+          size={isMobile ? "default" : "icon"}
+          onClick={handleDirectionToggle}
+          className={`flex items-center gap-2 ${isMobile ? 'w-full h-10' : 'h-10 w-10'}`}
+          title={sortConfig.direction === 'asc' ? 'Ascending' : 'Descending'}
+        >
+          <DirectionIcon className="w-4 h-4" />
+          {isMobile && (
+            <span className="capitalize">{sortConfig.direction}ending</span>
+          )}
+        </Button>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  );
+};
diff --git a/src/hooks/moderation/index.ts b/src/hooks/moderation/index.ts
index e9727013..59baf489 100644
--- a/src/hooks/moderation/index.ts
+++ b/src/hooks/moderation/index.ts
@@ -17,6 +17,9 @@ export type { ModerationFilters, ModerationFiltersConfig } from './useModeration
 export { usePagination } from './usePagination';
 export type { PaginationState, PaginationConfig } from './usePagination';
 
+export { useModerationSort } from './useModerationSort';
+export type { UseModerationSortReturn } from './useModerationSort';
+
 export { useRealtimeSubscriptions } from './useRealtimeSubscriptions';
 export type { 
   RealtimeSubscriptionConfig, 
diff --git a/src/hooks/moderation/useModerationQueueManager.ts b/src/hooks/moderation/useModerationQueueManager.ts
index 76e040bb..3280fe5c 100644
--- a/src/hooks/moderation/useModerationQueueManager.ts
+++ b/src/hooks/moderation/useModerationQueueManager.ts
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import {
   useProfileCache,
   useModerationFilters,
   usePagination,
+  useModerationSort,
   useRealtimeSubscriptions,
 } from "./index";
 import { useModerationQueue } from "@/hooks/useModerationQueue";
@@ -43,6 +44,7 @@ export interface ModerationQueueManager {
   // Sub-hooks (exposed for granular control)
   filters: ReturnType<typeof useModerationFilters>;
   pagination: ReturnType<typeof usePagination>;
+  sort: ReturnType<typeof useModerationSort>;
   queue: ReturnType<typeof useModerationQueue>;
 
   // Realtime
@@ -97,7 +99,7 @@ export function useModerationQueueManager(config: ModerationQueueManagerConfig):
     },
   });
 
-  // Removed - sorting functionality deleted
+  const sort = useModerationSort();
 
   const queue = useModerationQueue();
   const entityCache = useEntityCache();
@@ -217,6 +219,21 @@ export function useModerationQueueManager(config: ModerationQueueManagerConfig):
         `,
           );
 
+        // CRITICAL: Multi-level ordering
+        // Level 1: Always sort by escalated first (descending)
+        submissionsQuery = submissionsQuery.order('escalated', { ascending: false });
+
+        // Level 2: Apply user-selected sort
+        submissionsQuery = submissionsQuery.order(
+          sort.config.field,
+          { ascending: sort.config.direction === 'asc' }
+        );
+
+        // Level 3: Tertiary sort by created_at (if not already primary)
+        if (sort.config.field !== 'created_at') {
+          submissionsQuery = submissionsQuery.order('created_at', { ascending: true });
+        }
+
         // Apply tab-based status filtering
         const tab = filters.activeTab;
         const statusFilter = filters.debouncedStatusFilter;
@@ -444,7 +461,7 @@ export function useModerationQueueManager(config: ModerationQueueManagerConfig):
         setLoadingState("ready");
       }
     },
-    [user, isAdmin, isSuperuser, filters, pagination, profileCache, entityCache, toast],
+    [user, isAdmin, isSuperuser, filters, pagination, sort, profileCache, entityCache, toast],
   );
 
   // Store fetchItems in ref to avoid re-creating visibility listener
@@ -772,13 +789,13 @@ export function useModerationQueueManager(config: ModerationQueueManagerConfig):
     // eslint-disable-next-line react-hooks/exhaustive-deps
   }, [user?.id]);
 
-  // Filter changes trigger refetch
+  // Filter and sort changes trigger refetch
   useEffect(() => {
     if (!user || !initialFetchCompleteRef.current || isMountingRef.current) return;
 
     pagination.reset();
     fetchItems(true);
-  }, [filters.debouncedEntityFilter, filters.debouncedStatusFilter]);
+  }, [filters.debouncedEntityFilter, filters.debouncedStatusFilter, sort.config]);
 
   // Pagination changes trigger refetch
   useEffect(() => {
@@ -921,6 +938,7 @@ export function useModerationQueueManager(config: ModerationQueueManagerConfig):
     actionLoading,
     filters,
     pagination,
+    sort,
     queue,
     newItemsCount,
     pendingNewItems,
diff --git a/src/hooks/moderation/useModerationSort.ts b/src/hooks/moderation/useModerationSort.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..6b01aef8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/hooks/moderation/useModerationSort.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,104 @@
+import { useState, useCallback, useEffect } from 'react';
+import type { SortConfig, SortField } from '@/types/moderation';
+
+const STORAGE_KEY = 'moderationQueue_sortConfig';
+
+/**
+ * Default sort configuration
+ * Sorts by creation date ascending (oldest first)
+ */
+const DEFAULT_SORT: SortConfig = {
+  field: 'created_at',
+  direction: 'asc'
+};
+
+/**
+ * Load sort configuration from localStorage
+ */
+function loadSortConfig(): SortConfig {
+  try {
+    const stored = localStorage.getItem(STORAGE_KEY);
+    if (stored) {
+      const parsed = JSON.parse(stored);
+      // Validate structure
+      if (parsed.field && parsed.direction) {
+        return parsed;
+      }
+    }
+  } catch (error) {
+    console.warn('Failed to load sort config:', error);
+  }
+  return DEFAULT_SORT;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Save sort configuration to localStorage
+ */
+function saveSortConfig(config: SortConfig): void {
+  try {
+    localStorage.setItem(STORAGE_KEY, JSON.stringify(config));
+  } catch (error) {
+    console.warn('Failed to save sort config:', error);
+  }
+}
+
+export interface UseModerationSortReturn {
+  /** Current sort configuration */
+  config: SortConfig;
+  /** Update the sort configuration */
+  setConfig: (config: SortConfig) => void;
+  /** Sort by a specific field, toggling direction if already sorting by that field */
+  sortBy: (field: SortField) => void;
+  /** Toggle the sort direction */
+  toggleDirection: () => void;
+  /** Reset to default sort */
+  reset: () => void;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Hook for managing moderation queue sort state
+ * 
+ * Provides sort configuration with localStorage persistence
+ * and convenient methods for updating sort settings.
+ */
+export function useModerationSort(): UseModerationSortReturn {
+  const [config, setConfigState] = useState<SortConfig>(loadSortConfig);
+
+  // Persist to localStorage whenever config changes
+  useEffect(() => {
+    saveSortConfig(config);
+  }, [config]);
+
+  const setConfig = useCallback((newConfig: SortConfig) => {
+    setConfigState(newConfig);
+  }, []);
+
+  const sortBy = useCallback((field: SortField) => {
+    setConfigState(prev => ({
+      field,
+      // Toggle direction if clicking the same field, otherwise default to ascending
+      direction: prev.field === field 
+        ? (prev.direction === 'asc' ? 'desc' : 'asc')
+        : 'asc'
+    }));
+  }, []);
+
+  const toggleDirection = useCallback(() => {
+    setConfigState(prev => ({
+      ...prev,
+      direction: prev.direction === 'asc' ? 'desc' : 'asc'
+    }));
+  }, []);
+
+  const reset = useCallback(() => {
+    setConfigState(DEFAULT_SORT);
+  }, []);
+
+  return {
+    config,
+    setConfig,
+    sortBy,
+    toggleDirection,
+    reset
+  };
+}
diff --git a/src/lib/moderation/queries.ts b/src/lib/moderation/queries.ts
index 737b8723..50bc0d18 100644
--- a/src/lib/moderation/queries.ts
+++ b/src/lib/moderation/queries.ts
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import type {
   EntityFilter,
   StatusFilter,
   QueueTab,
+  SortConfig,
 } from '@/types/moderation';
 
 /**
@@ -24,6 +25,7 @@ export interface QueryConfig {
   isSuperuser: boolean;
   currentPage: number;
   pageSize: number;
+  sortConfig?: SortConfig;
 }
 
 /**
@@ -73,9 +75,23 @@ export function buildSubmissionQuery(
         item_data,
         status
       )
-    `)
-    .order('escalated', { ascending: false })
-    .order('created_at', { ascending: true });
+    `);
+
+  // CRITICAL: Multi-level ordering
+  // Level 1: Always sort by escalated first (descending) - escalated items always appear at top
+  query = query.order('escalated', { ascending: false });
+
+  // Level 2: Apply user-selected sort (if provided)
+  if (config.sortConfig) {
+    query = query.order(config.sortConfig.field, { 
+      ascending: config.sortConfig.direction === 'asc' 
+    });
+  }
+
+  // Level 3: Tertiary sort by created_at as tiebreaker (if not already primary sort)
+  if (!config.sortConfig || config.sortConfig.field !== 'created_at') {
+    query = query.order('created_at', { ascending: true });
+  }
 
   // Apply tab-based status filtering
   if (tab === 'mainQueue') {
diff --git a/src/types/moderation.ts b/src/types/moderation.ts
index 33b31b84..a7593e25 100644
--- a/src/types/moderation.ts
+++ b/src/types/moderation.ts
@@ -99,7 +99,25 @@ export type StatusFilter = 'all' | 'pending' | 'partially_approved' | 'flagged'
  */
 export type QueueTab = 'mainQueue' | 'archive';
 
-// Removed - sorting functionality deleted
+/**
+ * Available fields for sorting the moderation queue
+ */
+export type SortField = 'created_at' | 'submission_type' | 'status';
+
+/**
+ * Sort direction
+ */
+export type SortDirection = 'asc' | 'desc';
+
+/**
+ * Configuration for sorting the moderation queue
+ */
+export interface SortConfig {
+  /** Field to sort by */
+  field: SortField;
+  /** Sort direction */
+  direction: SortDirection;
+}
 
 /**
  * Loading states for the moderation queue