Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand Salary in 2026

    SOC: 53-7062.00 · BLS OEWS 2026 · Updated March 2026
    Median Annual
    $38,940
    per year
    Salary Range
    $31K – $53K
    P10–P90
    Total Jobs
    2,982,530
    employed
    Job Growth
    +1.5%
    2024–2034
    Section 01

    How Much Do Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hands Make?

    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hands earn a median annual salary of $38,940 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $30,810 at the 10th percentile to $53,180 at the 90th percentile — a range of $22,370. The highest-paying state is Washington at $45,850.

    PercentileAnnual salary
    10th percentile$30,810
    25th percentile$35,410
    Median (50th)$38,940
    75th percentile$46,370
    90th percentile$53,180
    10th: $30,810Median: $38,94090th: $53,180
    Section 02

    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand Salary by State

    Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.

    StateMedian salary
    Washingtontop$45,850
    Alaska$45,720
    Minnesota$45,440
    Colorado$45,210
    District of Columbia$45,140
    Massachusetts$45,070
    North Dakota$44,630
    Hawaii$44,050
    New York$43,660
    Iowa$43,370
    Oregon$43,110
    California$42,660
    Wisconsin$42,290
    Kentucky$41,770
    Pennsylvania$41,170
    Montana$40,810
    Nebraska$40,640
    Vermont$40,480
    Maryland$40,240
    Connecticut$40,170
    Maine$40,080
    Kansas$39,960
    Illinois$39,840
    Indiana$39,820
    Rhode Island$39,820
    Utah$39,570
    New Hampshire$39,290
    Virginia$39,240
    Arizona$39,160
    New Jersey$39,050
    Ohio$38,990
    Michigan$38,850
    Nevada$38,420
    Delaware$38,330
    Idaho$38,270
    Wyoming$38,210
    Missouri$37,950
    Tennessee$37,910
    South Dakota$37,280
    South Carolina$37,190
    Georgia$37,030
    Texas$37,010
    New Mexico$37,000
    Florida$36,980
    Oklahoma$36,260
    North Carolina$36,080
    West Virginia$35,990
    Mississippi$35,920
    Alabama$35,780
    Arkansas$35,090
    Louisiana$33,330
    Section 03

    Highest-Paying Metros for Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hands

    Alaska nonmetropolitan area
    Highest paying
    $50,800
    top metro salary
    Kenosha, WI
    $48,480
    $-2,320 vs highest
    Topeka, KS
    $48,250
    $-2,550 vs highest
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
    $48,220
    $-2,580 vs highest
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
    $47,660
    $-3,140 vs highest
    Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA
    $47,350
    $-3,450 vs highest
    Capital/Northern New York nonmetropolitan area
    $47,270
    $-3,530 vs highest
    Bakersfield-Delano, CA
    $46,800
    $-4,000 vs highest
    Section 04

    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand Salary by Experience

    Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.

    Experience levelEstimated salary
    Entry level (0–2 yrs)~$30,810 – $35,410
    Mid career (3–7 yrs)~$38,940
    Experienced (8–15 yrs)~$46,370
    Senior (15+ yrs)$53,180+
    Section 05

    How to Earn More as a Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand

    Location is the single biggest salary lever: Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hands in Alaska nonmetropolitan area earn $50,800 — $11,860 above the national median. Union membership, additional certifications, and supervisory experience are the most reliable paths to higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($46,370) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.

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    Section 06

    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand Salary vs Similar Careers

    CareerMedian salary
    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Handthis career$38,940
    Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerk$43,190
    Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping$45,650
    Construction Laborer$46,730
    Helpers--Extraction Worker$48,400

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    Section 07

    Frequently Asked Questions

    SOC: 53-7062.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.