Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand fall under the Transportation and Material Moving category in the U.S. occupational classification. Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand earn a median salary of $38,940 per year, ranking in the top 87% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +1.5% job growth through 2034, projected to grow slower than the US average. Entry into this field typically requires a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, certifications, or postsecondary credentials, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand earn?

The median annual wage for laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand is $38,940. That puts laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand at #703 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is around or below the U.S. median for individual workers, so career growth often depends on advancement into supervisory roles, specialization, or additional credentials. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand is +1.5%, projected to grow slower than the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 3.0M positions in 2024 to 3.0M in 2034, a net change of 45K. Flat growth typically reflects a mature, stable field. Most openings will come from retirements rather than new positions, which can favor candidates with strong networks and willingness to relocate.

What do laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.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.
2. 2.Maintain equipment storage areas to ensure that inventory is protected.
3. 3.Read work orders or receive oral instructions to determine work assignments or material or equipment needs.

Top skills for laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand?

Many laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand enter the field with a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, though employers increasingly favor candidates with certifications or some postsecondary coursework. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
  $226,600 median
• Air Traffic Controllers
  $144,580 median
• Commercial Pilots
  $122,670 median
• Ship Engineers
  $101,320 median
• Transportation Inspectors
  $85,750 median
• Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels
  $85,540 median

Common questions parents ask about laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand