Transportation & Logistics
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand
Also called: Laborer, Loader, Material Handler, Merchandise Pick Up Associate
US median pay
$40,240
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+1.8%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
340,500
2,940,300 employed
Typical entry education
No formal educational credential
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
Manually move freight, stock, luggage, or other materials, or perform other general labor. Includes all manual laborers not elsewhere classified.
What they do day to day
- Maintain equipment storage areas to ensure that inventory is protected.
- Read work orders or receive oral instructions to determine work assignments or material or equipment needs.
- Move 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.
- Install protective devices, such as bracing, padding, or strapping, to prevent shifting or damage to items being transported.
- Sort cargo before loading and unloading.
- Attach identifying tags to containers or mark them with identifying information.
- Record numbers of units handled or moved, using daily production sheets or work tickets.
- Attach slings, hooks, or other devices to lift cargo and guide loads.
- Carry needed tools or supplies from storage or trucks and return them after use.
- Pack containers and re-pack damaged containers.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Coordination3.0/5
- Time Management2.6/5
- Operations Monitoring2.6/5
- Operation and Control2.6/5
- Social Perceptiveness2.4/5
- Judgment and Decision Making2.4/5
- Instructing2.2/5
- Management of Personnel Resources2.1/5
Knowledge
- Administration and Management3.4/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.4/5
- Public Safety and Security3.2/5
- Transportation3.1/5
- Production and Processing3.1/5
- Mathematics3.0/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 2 of 5 — Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma; some previous work experience or training helps.
Typical entry education (BLS): No formal educational credential.
Highest education of people in this job:
- High school diploma89%
- Less than high school11%
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.