Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand
Manually move freight, stock, luggage, or other materials, or perform other general labor. Includes all manual laborers not elsewhere classified.
Also called: Laborer · Loader · Material Handler · Merchandise Pick Up Associate · Merchandise Receiving Associate · Receiver
Median pay (national)
$38,940
$30,810–$53,180 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
2,982,530
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+1.5%
~384,300 openings/yr
Typical entry
No formal educational credential
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand shows a relatively narrow range: the top 10% earn $53,180 versus $30,810 at the bottom 10% — 1.7x. The median of $38,940 leaves roughly 37% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +1.5% from 2024 to 2034 — slower than the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 384,300 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 53 states with released data, Washington pays the most for this role (median $45,850, +18% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $22,210 — a 106% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Active Listening, Reading Comprehension, Speaking as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Warehouse management system WMS as in-demand technologies for this role.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
- Learning Strategies
- Mathematics
- Active Learning
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- 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.
- 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.
- Adjust controls to guide, position, or move equipment, such as cranes, booms, or cameras.
- Sort cargo before loading and unloading.
Tools & technology
- Warehouse management system WMS
- Apple Safari
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Microsoft Edge
- Mozilla Firefox
- Oracle Database
- SAP software
- Data entry software
- FaceTime
- Handheld computer device software
- IBM Notes
- Inventory management systems
- Inventory tracking software
- Machine control software
- Microsoft Publisher
- Google Docs
Knowledge areas
- Administration and Management
- Customer and Personal Service
- Public Safety and Security
- Transportation
- Production and Processing
- Mathematics
- English Language
- Personnel and Human Resources