Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand Salary
The median laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand salary in the United States is $40,240 per year ($19.35/hour). Salaries range from $31,270 at the entry level to $55,140+ for the top 10% of earners. There are 2,950,280 laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand jobs nationwide. Employment is projected to grow 1.5% through 2034.
Last updated: June 2026 Β· Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Salary Distribution
Job Growth (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
Education Required
Training Needed
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand Career Guide
Interview questions, resume templates, and a career ladder written specifically for laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hands.
Warehouse workers + material movers load, unload, and move materials in warehouses, distribution centers, factories, and shipping/receiving. Career splits: Amazon + e-commerce fulfillment centers (largest employer + strong benefits), UPS + FedEx package handling (union + pension), distribution centers (Walmart, Target, Home Depot, Costco), manufacturing plants, moving + shipping companies, ports + rail terminals (higher pay). Path is entry-level with real career mobility through equipment operator + team lead + supervisor + operations manager. Compensation: entry $30-42k; equipment operator $38-55k; team lead $45-65k; warehouse supervisor $55-85k; operations manager $70-115k+. Amazon + Costco + UPS + FedEx pay above average.
Core Skills Hiring Managers Screen For
How to Become a Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand
- 1High school diploma preferred but not always requiredSome entry roles accept without. Reading + basic math for orders + labels required.
- 2Apply at warehouse + distribution + manufacturing + shipping companyAmazon, Walmart, Target, UPS, FedEx, Home Depot, Costco. Application online, hiring rapid β often same-week start.
- 3Complete new-hire orientation + safety trainingCompany-specific training on safety + PPE + productivity standards.
- 4Get forklift certification (via employer)OSHA-certified through employer training (typically 1-2 days). Unlocks $2-5/hr pay bump + specialized roles.
- 5Advance to specialized role (equipment operator, receiving, quality control)Specialized roles command premium wages. Often after 6-12 months experience.
- 6Move to team lead / trainer role (2-4 years)First supervisory role. Manage 5-10 workers + train new hires.
- 7Warehouse Supervisor / Shift Manager (5-8 years)Full shift responsibility. Reports to Operations Manager.
- 8Operations Manager / Assistant General Manager (10+ years)Full facility responsibility. Salary + bonus + benefits.
Career Progression
- β’Basic picking + stocking + loading
- β’Learning WMS + safety protocols
- β’Meeting entry productivity targets
- β’Higher productivity targets
- β’Equipment operation
- β’Cross-trained across departments
- β’Lead team of 5-12 workers
- β’Training new hires
- β’Quality + productivity oversight
- β’Full shift management
- β’Team of 20-50 workers
- β’Hiring + scheduling + coaching
- β’Facility operations + P&L
- β’Multiple supervisors reporting
- β’Continuous improvement + safety
Interview Questions & Answers
5 free questions below. Career Kit unlocks 12 total plus resume bullets for every level.
Q1. Tell me about your warehouse experience.situational
Q2. How do you handle a busy shift?situational
Q3. Tell me about a safety incident.behavioral
Q4. Why our warehouse / company?culture
Q5. How would you handle finding damaged product?situational
Resume Template β Experienced Warehouse Worker (2-4 yrs)
Copy these bullets into your resume as a starting point. Career Kit includes bullets for every level of the ladder.
- βΈWarehouse Worker + Forklift Operator, [Facility], responsible for order picking + loading trucks + pallet operations.
- βΈOSHA Forklift Certified + Confined Space + Fall Protection trained.
- βΈConsistently exceeded productivity target of 120 UPH by 15-20% while maintaining 99.4% accuracy.
- βΈSelected as Certified Trainer. Onboarded 8 new hires in past 12 months.
What Gets You Rejected
- βAttendance issues.
- βPoor accuracy or wrong pick locations.
- βWeak safety awareness or OSHA violations.
- βBad-mouthing prior employer or supervisor.
- βNot physically capable of role demands.
- βWeak team communication.
- βSubstance abuse or discipline issues.
- βDamage or loss to product/equipment.
Salary Negotiation Levers
- βHourly rate β location + facility + shift matter significantly.
- βSign-on bonus $500-3,000 in high-demand markets.
- βShift differential: night $1-3/hr, weekend $1-3/hr, holiday time-and-a-half or double time.
- βForklift + equipment certifications = $2-5/hr premium.
- βFull benefits (health, dental, retirement).
- βTuition reimbursement (Amazon Career Choice up to $5,250/year, Walmart Live Better U free).
- βPTO + sick time.
- βOvertime eligibility.
- βCareer path to team lead + supervisor.
- βUnion representation (some facilities): pension + stronger benefits.
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand Resume Review β $29
Personalized resume review from someone who has hired laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hands. Purchase, email your resume to support@weblabra.com, and receive detailed written feedback within 7 days.
- β Occupation-specific critique (not generic)
- β Rewrite suggestions for weak bullets
- β Missing skills / keywords flagged
- β Formatting + ATS-readability feedback
- β 7-day turnaround, 100% refund if we miss it
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand Career Kit β $19
- β All 12 interview questions with expert answers
- β 10 real questions aggregated from Glassdoor, Blind, Reddit, LinkedIn
- β Interview format intel for 8 top employers
- β 3 copy-paste salary negotiation emails
- β Resume bullets for every level of the career ladder
- β 30β60β90 day plan for your first role
- β Cover letter templates specific to this occupation
- β Detailed salary negotiation script
- β Ranked list of certifications with cost + ROI
- β Downloadable PDF for offline access
- β Instant access, no expiration, no subscription
One-time purchase. 7-day refund guarantee.
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Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand Salary by State
Best Cities (cost-adjusted) βSalary Map β Click a state for details
Top Paying States
| State | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | $46,280 | +15.0% |
| Washington | $46,190 | +14.8% |
| District of Columbia | $45,740 | +13.7% |
| North Dakota | $45,690 | +13.5% |
| Colorado | $45,370 | +12.7% |
| Massachusetts | $44,920 | +11.6% |
| Oregon | $44,750 | +11.2% |
| California | $44,710 | +11.1% |
| New York | $44,630 | +10.9% |
| Wisconsin | $44,610 | +10.9% |
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand Salary by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| Topeka, KS | $49,140 | +22.1% |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $48,420 | +20.3% |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $48,400 | +20.3% |
| Sheboygan, WI | $48,150 | +19.7% |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $47,740 | +18.6% |
| Chambersburg, PA | $47,540 | +18.1% |
| Kahului-Wailuku, HI | $47,490 | +18.0% |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $47,440 | +17.9% |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $47,330 | +17.6% |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $47,320 | +17.6% |