Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand
Also called: Laborers and Material Movers
Manually move freight, stock, luggage, or other materials, or perform other general labor. Includes all manual laborers not elsewhere classified.
Also called: Air and Water Filler, Airport Maintenance Laborer, Aluminum Can Collector, Ash Collector, Ash Handler, Ash Pit Worker
Median pay
$40,240
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$31,270 – $55,140
People employed
2,950,280
Holland code
RCE
Realistic · Conventional · Enterprising
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you OK working outdoors in all kinds of weather?
- 2.Are you OK with physical risk, such as hazardous equipment or conditions, with proper training?
- 3.Are you OK repeating the same tasks most of the day?
- 4.Are you happy working mostly on your own, with little contact with others?
- 5.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?
- 6.Are you OK working more than 40 hours a week?
The hard parts
- Work outdoors in all weather
- Long hours on your feet
- Tight deadlines are common
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand salary in every state →
What laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand do
- 01Install protective devices, such as bracing, padding, or strapping, to prevent shifting or damage to items being transported.
- 02Maintain equipment storage areas to ensure that inventory is protected.
- 03Sort cargo before loading and unloading.
- 04Attach identifying tags to containers or mark them with identifying information.
- 05Read work orders or receive oral instructions to determine work assignments or material or equipment needs.
- 06Move freight, stock, or other materials to and from storage or production areas, loading docks, delivery vehicles, ships, or containers, by hand or using trucks, tractors, or other equipment.
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Monitoring
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
Knowledge
- Administration and Management
- Customer and Personal Service
- Public Safety and Security
- Transportation
- Production and Processing
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: none.
- On-the-job training: over 1 month, up to and including 3 months.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand
- Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders83% · +7%
- Helpers--Production Workers79% · −3%
- Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders78% · +21%
- Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers77% · +71%
- Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers77% · −13%
Change into laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Helpers--Production Workers79% · $39,070
- Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers79% · $34,890
- Log Graders and Scalers79% · $46,330
- Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service78% · $39,280
- Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers78% · $38,300