Pay, demand and where to work, from BLS data with the year on every table.
low → high: location quotient
Click a state. States: Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · District of Columbia · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming.
By AtiveSite · Published 07/11/2026 · Updated 07/11/2026 · Every figure is linked to its source below.
Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand (SOC 53-7062) employed 2,950,280 people in May 2025. The median pay is $40,240 a year ($19.35 an hour); the lowest-paid 10% earn under $31,270 and the highest-paid 10% more than $55,140. BLS projects its employment to change by +1.8% between 2025 and 2035 (about 340,500 openings a year including replacements). The typical way in: No formal educational credential.
Highest median pay: Minnesota ($46,280), Washington ($46,190), District of Columbia ($45,740). Most jobs: California (355,500), Texas (216,970), Illinois (195,390).
| Measure ⇅ | Annual ⇅ | Hourly equivalent ⇅ |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,270 | $15.03 |
| 25th percentile | $36,090 | $17.35 |
| Median | $40,240 | $19.35 |
| Mean | $42,260 | $20.32 |
| 75th percentile | $46,920 | $22.56 |
| 90th percentile (experienced) | $55,140 | $26.51 |
Estimate for a wage earner: 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction (IRS), Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% (+0.9% above $200,000 single / $250,000 married), and a state rate you set. It ignores credits, pre-tax deductions, local taxes and benefits. Sources: IRS: tax year 2026 inflation adjustments · SSA wage base per Federal Register notice 2025-19763.
Hourly equivalents divide by 2,080 hours. Pay above $239,200 is shown as "≥ $239,200" (BLS top code).
| Measure ⇅ | Value ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Jobs 2025 | 2,940,300 |
| Jobs 2035 (projected) | 2,991,900 |
| Change in jobs | 51,600 |
| Percent change | +1.8% |
| Openings a year (growth + replacements) | 340,500 |
| Self-employed share | 1.2% |
| Typical entry education | No formal educational credential |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | Short-term on-the-job training |
Licences and certifications are set by states and employers; the education shown is the usual entry requirement, not a legal one.
| State ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ | Yearly rent as % of median pay ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 36,140 | 0.90 | $36,670 | $26,850 | $47,910 | -9% | 35% |
| Alaska | 4,250 | 0.69 | $44,510 | $34,790 | $75,280 | +11% | 39% |
| Arizona | 71,090 | 1.16 | $44,290 | $34,620 | $57,810 | +10% | 45% |
| Arkansas | 21,430 | 0.87 | $35,920 | $28,090 | $45,920 | -11% | 33% |
| California | 355,500 | 1.03 | $44,710 | $36,060 | $57,700 | +11% | 56% |
| Colorado | 31,140 | 0.57 | $45,370 | $36,730 | $57,180 | +13% | 48% |
| Connecticut | 23,970 | 0.74 | $43,640 | $35,440 | $54,490 | +8% | 43% |
| Delaware | 5,220 | 0.57 | $37,320 | $31,200 | $47,920 | -7% | 49% |
| District of Columbia | 1,200 | 0.09 | $45,740 | $37,550 | $62,390 | +14% | 51% |
| Florida | 164,400 | 0.87 | $38,160 | $29,960 | $48,870 | -5% | 57% |
| Georgia | 137,580 | 1.48 | $38,480 | $30,100 | $50,770 | -4% | 47% |
| Hawaii | 9,490 | 0.80 | $44,120 | $34,090 | $61,110 | +10% | 53% |
| Idaho | 15,610 | 0.96 | $39,900 | $29,550 | $49,250 | -1% | 42% |
| Illinois | 195,390 | 1.69 | $40,550 | $31,780 | $55,840 | +1% | 39% |
| Indiana | 103,200 | 1.70 | $41,340 | $31,040 | $52,590 | +3% | 32% |
| Iowa | 30,890 | 1.04 | $43,490 | $32,790 | $53,620 | +8% | 27% |
| Kansas | 23,270 | 0.85 | $40,250 | $30,830 | $51,030 | +0% | 32% |
| Kentucky | 57,930 | 1.53 | $42,770 | $30,890 | $49,750 | +6% | 28% |
| Louisiana | 43,730 | 1.19 | $35,340 | $24,150 | $46,890 | -12% | 36% |
| Maine | 6,120 | 0.50 | $42,640 | $32,550 | $55,230 | +6% | 34% |
| Maryland | 47,710 | 0.91 | $41,600 | $34,280 | $55,710 | +3% | 50% |
| Massachusetts | 34,700 | 0.50 | $44,920 | $36,470 | $58,270 | +12% | 49% |
| Michigan | 79,410 | 0.95 | $38,860 | $30,220 | $52,080 | -3% | 36% |
| Minnesota | 54,480 | 0.97 | $46,280 | $35,750 | $61,140 | +15% | 33% |
| Mississippi | 30,750 | 1.39 | $36,400 | $27,740 | $47,280 | -10% | 33% |
| Missouri | 43,050 | 0.77 | $39,080 | $30,380 | $52,520 | -3% | 33% |
| Montana | 3,870 | 0.40 | $43,840 | $32,400 | $53,160 | +9% | 32% |
| Nebraska | 13,870 | 0.71 | $42,910 | $33,320 | $53,160 | +7% | 31% |
| Nevada | 40,850 | 1.39 | $39,350 | $33,380 | $56,690 | -2% | 52% |
| New Hampshire | 8,340 | 0.64 | $42,110 | $33,960 | $53,560 | +5% | 44% |
| New Jersey | 97,230 | 1.20 | $39,540 | $33,350 | $55,940 | -2% | 55% |
| New Mexico | 10,200 | 0.62 | $37,230 | $28,510 | $50,620 | -7% | 36% |
| New York | 100,950 | 0.55 | $44,630 | $35,360 | $59,330 | +11% | 44% |
| North Carolina | 116,720 | 1.24 | $38,230 | $30,010 | $47,590 | -5% | 42% |
| North Dakota | 9,990 | 1.23 | $45,690 | $34,940 | $59,020 | +14% | 26% |
| Ohio | 108,830 | 1.03 | $39,460 | $30,650 | $50,760 | -2% | 33% |
| Oklahoma | 38,210 | 1.18 | $36,990 | $28,840 | $47,600 | -8% | 34% |
| Oregon | 27,720 | 0.74 | $44,750 | $34,820 | $58,010 | +11% | 43% |
| Pennsylvania | 131,050 | 1.14 | $42,480 | $32,240 | $56,280 | +6% | 35% |
| Rhode Island | 6,760 | 0.71 | $41,690 | $31,700 | $58,690 | +4% | 41% |
| South Carolina | 56,700 | 1.30 | $37,530 | $29,830 | $48,230 | -7% | 41% |
| South Dakota | 3,820 | 0.44 | $38,980 | $31,340 | $50,420 | -3% | 31% |
| Tennessee | 105,870 | 1.70 | $38,160 | $30,230 | $48,420 | -5% | 40% |
| Texas | 216,970 | 0.81 | $37,540 | $29,250 | $50,140 | -7% | 47% |
| Utah | 29,670 | 0.90 | $42,370 | $33,360 | $54,790 | +5% | 45% |
| Vermont | 3,060 | 0.53 | $39,390 | $30,350 | $49,170 | -2% | 40% |
| Virginia | 58,000 | 0.74 | $39,380 | $31,050 | $53,700 | -2% | 50% |
| Washington | 49,450 | 0.73 | $46,190 | $37,350 | $60,280 | +15% | 47% |
| West Virginia | 11,300 | 0.85 | $36,990 | $27,270 | $50,240 | -8% | 29% |
| Wisconsin | 70,520 | 1.26 | $44,610 | $33,260 | $57,360 | +11% | 31% |
| Wyoming | 2,700 | 0.51 | $38,330 | $31,130 | $53,270 | -5% | 31% |
Location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in the state than in the nation. "n/a" means BLS suppressed the figure. Rent uses the state median gross rent (ACS).
The 60 highest-paying metropolitan areas among those with at least 300 jobs in this occupation.
| Metropolitan area ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Topeka, KS | 2,140 | $49,140 | $31,100 | $55,520 | 0.97 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | 790 | $48,420 | $35,360 | $59,840 | 0.85 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 30,710 | $48,400 | $40,620 | $64,900 | 0.68 |
| Sheboygan, WI | 1,550 | $48,150 | $31,020 | $57,420 | 1.35 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 29,490 | $47,740 | $39,240 | $62,400 | 0.75 |
| Chambersburg, PA | 3,130 | $47,540 | $34,890 | $53,840 | 2.74 |
| Kahului-Wailuku, HI | 1,040 | $47,490 | $36,070 | $63,700 | 0.74 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | 2,920 | $47,440 | $35,530 | $48,440 | 1.83 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 15,030 | $47,330 | $37,080 | $57,900 | 2.73 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 36,700 | $47,320 | $36,450 | $61,770 | 0.99 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | 1,880 | $47,310 | $35,880 | $50,760 | 1.92 |
| Albany, OR | 1,590 | $47,150 | $35,570 | $56,480 | 1.77 |
| Warner Robins, GA | 1,650 | $47,130 | $29,440 | $54,920 | 1.14 |
| Pueblo, CO | 1,410 | $47,100 | $35,560 | $47,100 | 1.20 |
| Bozeman, MT | 400 | $47,070 | $37,040 | $57,190 | 0.30 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 11,830 | $47,060 | $39,710 | $66,060 | 0.55 |
| Kenosha, WI | 5,420 | $46,990 | $36,920 | $58,320 | 3.78 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 8,440 | $46,890 | $34,490 | $54,990 | 1.31 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | 890 | $46,860 | $36,760 | $60,300 | 0.50 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | 29,400 | $46,830 | $35,190 | $51,200 | 2.26 |
| Boulder, CO | 970 | $46,730 | $37,350 | $55,450 | 0.27 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | 2,810 | $46,640 | $36,840 | $60,100 | 0.72 |
| Modesto, CA | 4,810 | $46,630 | $36,330 | $62,240 | 1.30 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | 1,310 | $46,440 | $30,990 | $60,300 | 0.94 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | 980 | $46,370 | $37,320 | $65,000 | 0.55 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | 7,000 | $46,370 | $33,580 | $55,770 | 0.91 |
| Rochester, MN | 1,330 | $46,360 | $35,950 | $59,810 | 0.57 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | 19,340 | $46,290 | $38,340 | $59,550 | 0.63 |
| Napa, CA | 1,020 | $46,230 | $37,630 | $62,150 | 0.69 |
| Roanoke, VA | 3,100 | $46,180 | $30,880 | $53,510 | 1.06 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | 990 | $46,140 | $31,780 | $56,690 | 1.19 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 18,640 | $46,100 | $36,870 | $61,210 | 0.81 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 69,820 | $46,060 | $36,230 | $57,110 | 2.14 |
| Reading, PA | 5,280 | $46,040 | $35,410 | $55,370 | 1.59 |
| Decatur, IL | 1,430 | $46,010 | $36,380 | $58,490 | 1.65 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | 2,080 | $45,970 | $34,900 | $59,220 | 1.17 |
| Dubuque, IA | 980 | $45,960 | $34,590 | $54,720 | 0.88 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | 800 | $45,960 | $36,830 | $58,030 | 0.80 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 18,560 | $45,930 | $36,650 | $57,930 | 0.91 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | 3,810 | $45,690 | $35,300 | $56,870 | 1.35 |
| Vallejo, CA | 2,520 | $45,660 | $37,180 | $60,160 | 0.92 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 24,030 | $45,600 | $37,180 | $58,820 | 0.47 |
| Bellingham, WA | 1,120 | $45,570 | $36,630 | $56,940 | 0.65 |
| Bend, OR | 970 | $45,520 | $34,030 | $51,880 | 0.47 |
| St. Cloud, MN | 2,230 | $45,480 | $35,220 | $58,490 | 1.13 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | 2,190 | $45,430 | $31,770 | $57,290 | 1.51 |
| New Haven, CT | 3,810 | $45,420 | $35,620 | $54,050 | 0.71 |
| Portland-South Portland, ME | 2,520 | $45,350 | $35,360 | $57,290 | 0.46 |
| Eau Claire, WI | 2,160 | $45,320 | $31,220 | $55,420 | 1.32 |
| Greeley, CO | 1,320 | $44,980 | $36,730 | $55,030 | 0.58 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | 56,420 | $44,950 | $35,220 | $57,810 | 1.25 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | 19,810 | $44,840 | $34,840 | $57,530 | 1.27 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | 1,990 | $44,760 | $36,080 | $57,020 | 0.81 |
| Syracuse, NY | 6,390 | $44,660 | $34,360 | $55,840 | 1.12 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | 2,000 | $44,590 | $31,760 | $55,720 | 1.51 |
| Minot, ND | 640 | $44,560 | $33,700 | $58,530 | 1.02 |
| Anchorage, AK | 2,620 | $44,510 | $37,240 | $75,070 | 0.78 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | 7,030 | $44,510 | $36,750 | $53,170 | 1.38 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | 4,050 | $44,510 | $36,200 | $57,050 | 0.83 |
| Mankato, MN | 790 | $44,500 | $35,620 | $57,140 | 0.74 |
The median is $40,240 a year ($19.35 an hour); the lowest-paid tenth earn under $31,270 and the highest-paid tenth over $55,140 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
2,950,280 in May 2025, and BLS projects +1.8% growth to 2035.
The typical entry education is: No formal educational credential (BLS).
Minnesota, with a median of $46,280 (among states with published figures).