What Does it Take to Be a Hand Laborer or Freight, Stock, and Material Mover?
Occupation Description Manually move freight, stock, or other materials or perform other general labor. Includes all manual laborers not elsewhere classified.
What Do Hand Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers Do On a Daily Basis?
- Stack cargo in locations, such as transit sheds or in holds of ships as directed, using pallets or cargo boards.
- Direct spouts and position receptacles, such as bins, carts, or containers, so they can be loaded.
- Guide loads being lifted to prevent swinging.
- Record numbers of units handled or moved, using daily production sheets or work tickets.
- Wash out cargo containers or storage areas.
- Shovel material, such as gravel, ice, or spilled concrete, into containers or bins or onto conveyors.
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Things a Hand Laborer or Freight, Stock, and Material Mover Should Know How to Do
These are the skills Hand Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers say are the most useful in their careers:
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Other Hand Laborer or Freight, Stock, and Material Mover Job Titles
- Lumber Yard Worker
- Ship Fastener
- Sand Drier
- Air and Water Filler
- Striker
What Kind of Hand Laborer or Freight, Stock, and Material Mover Job Opportunities Are There?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 2,628,400 jobs in the United States for Hand Laborer or Freight, Stock, and Material Mover. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 7.6% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 199,700 new jobs for Hand Laborer or Freight, Stock, and Material Mover by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 388,400 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Hand Laborer or Freight, Stock, and Material Mover are Utah, Nevada, and South Carolina. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Alaska, or Vermont. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Hand Laborer or Freight, Stock, and Material Mover Average Salary
The salary for Hand Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers ranges between about $20,700 and $45,700 a year.

Hand Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers who work in District of Columbia, Alaska, or Minnesota, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Hand Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers in different U.S. states.
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $27,140 |
Alaska | $38,950 |
Arizona | $31,460 |
Arkansas | $26,770 |
California | $32,380 |
Colorado | $32,010 |
Connecticut | $32,600 |
Delaware | $28,560 |
District of Columbia | $50,560 |
Florida | $29,370 |
Georgia | $28,140 |
Hawaii | $37,210 |
Idaho | $31,080 |
Illinois | $30,140 |
Indiana | $30,590 |
Iowa | $32,530 |
Kansas | $31,800 |
Kentucky | $29,720 |
Louisiana | $27,680 |
Maine | $28,330 |
Maryland | $32,630 |
Massachusetts | $34,020 |
Michigan | $31,060 |
Minnesota | $35,080 |
Mississippi | $25,500 |
Missouri | $31,360 |
Montana | $30,430 |
Nebraska | $32,500 |
Nevada | $31,550 |
New Hampshire | $30,110 |
New Jersey | $30,280 |
New Mexico | $29,260 |
New York | $33,940 |
North Carolina | $27,860 |
North Dakota | $34,470 |
Ohio | $30,100 |
Oklahoma | $29,320 |
Oregon | $32,170 |
Pennsylvania | $31,590 |
Rhode Island | $32,690 |
South Carolina | $29,010 |
South Dakota | $28,080 |
Tennessee | $29,300 |
Texas | $30,530 |
Utah | $30,450 |
Vermont | $30,440 |
Virginia | $29,370 |
Washington | $34,940 |
West Virginia | $29,470 |
Wisconsin | $33,360 |
Wyoming | $35,990 |
What Tools do Hand Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Hand Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Outlook
- Data entry software
- SAP
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Spreadsheet software
- IBM Notes
- Microsoft Publisher
- Inventory tracking software
- Handheld computer device software
- Palm OS
- Machine control software
- Oracle
Becoming a Hand Laborer or Freight, Stock, and Material Mover
Are there Hand Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers education requirements?

What work experience do I need to become a Hand Laborer or Freight, Stock, and Material Mover?

Hand Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers Sector

Below are examples of industries where Hand Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers work:

Related Careers
Those thinking about becoming a Hand Laborer or Freight, Stock, and Material Mover might also be interested in the following careers:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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