Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Using physical effort and endurance safely and effectively over time.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
There are usually no formal educational requirements to become a hand laborer or material mover. They typically learn through on-the-job training that lasts 1 month or less. PayThe median annual wage for hand laborers and material movers was $38,220 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of hand laborers and material movers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 904,200 openings for hand laborers and material movers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for hand laborers and material movers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of hand laborers and material movers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about hand laborers and material movers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for hand laborers and material movers was $38,220 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of hand laborers and material movers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 904,200 openings for hand laborers and material movers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for hand laborers and material movers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of hand laborers and material movers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about hand laborers and material movers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of hand laborers and material movers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 904,200 openings for hand laborers and material movers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for hand laborers and material movers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of hand laborers and material movers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about hand laborers and material movers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Hand laborers and material movers manually move freight, stock, or other materials.
Work Environment
Hand laborers and material movers work in stockrooms, warehouses, manufacturing plants, and other settings. Most work full time, although part-time work is common. Work schedules vary and may include nights and weekends.
How to Become a Hand Laborer or Material Mover
There are usually no formal educational requirements to become a hand laborer or material mover. They typically learn through on-the-job training that lasts 1 month or less.
Pay
The median annual wage for hand laborers and material movers was $38,220 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of hand laborers and material movers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 904,200 openings for hand laborers and material movers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for hand laborers and material movers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of hand laborers and material movers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about hand laborers and material movers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Hand laborers and material movers work in stockrooms, warehouses, manufacturing plants, and other settings. Most work full time, although part-time work is common. Work schedules vary and may include nights and weekends.
How to Become a Hand Laborer or Material Mover
There are usually no formal educational requirements to become a hand laborer or material mover. They typically learn through on-the-job training that lasts 1 month or less.
Pay
The median annual wage for hand laborers and material movers was $38,220 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of hand laborers and material movers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 904,200 openings for hand laborers and material movers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for hand laborers and material movers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of hand laborers and material movers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about hand laborers and material movers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for hand laborers and material movers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of hand laborers and material movers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about hand laborers and material movers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about hand laborers and material movers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.