What it pays
Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.
Half of all Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand in the U.S. earn more than $40,240 a year — the middle 80% land between $31,270 and $55,140. About 3.0 million people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand”. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, published 2025.) In India, Plant and machine operators and assemblers earn about ₹17,329 a month on average — around ₹2.1 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).
$40,240typical pay / year
3.0 millionpeople in this work
$55,140+top 10% earn
₹2.1 lakha year in India (family avg)
Think you get this job?Six quick questions on how it really works — with a hint and the reason behind every answer.
Test yourself →The work, task by task
These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.
Move2
Manually move freight, stock, or materials
+Move the pallet of boxed lamps from dock B2 to trailer 14, use the two-man dolly and straps, place heaviest…
Manually move freight, stock, or materials
+Move the pallet of boxed lamps from dock B2 to trailer 14, use the two-man dolly and straps, place heaviest boxes against the wall, tag each pallet with destination labels, and radio James if you need a hand or route change.
The tools that do the workData entryESCOjob descriptionsO*NET
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Secure objects in trucks and transports
+Secure the furniture load in trailer 7 for the overnight haul to Oakridge: brace the sofa stack with load…
Secure objects in trucks and transports
+Secure the furniture load in trailer 7 for the overnight haul to Oakridge: brace the sofa stack with load bars, strap the bed frames in two places, insert air bags between pallets, mark fragile pieces, and send a confirmation message to dispatch when complete.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OutlookESCOjob descriptionsO*NET
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Fixing1
Sort cargo before loading and unloading
+Sort the incoming shipment from Route 5 onto staging lanes A through D by destination priority, separate…
Sort cargo before loading and unloading
+Sort the incoming shipment from Route 5 onto staging lanes A through D by destination priority, separate fragile furniture from general freight, record damaged items, and place pickup-ready pallets nearest the dock for the 09:00 run.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsO*NET
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Keeping the record1
Keep records of the materials moved
+Record every pallet moved from dock C into trailer 21: note pallet ID, item description, weight, receiver,…
Keep records of the materials moved
+Record every pallet moved from dock C into trailer 21: note pallet ID, item description, weight, receiver, and time; flag any discrepancies with the bill of lading and email the supervisor the end-of-shift summary.
The tools that do the workData entryMicrosoft Outlookjob descriptionsO*NET
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Protecting1
Maintain equipment and storage areas
+Inspect and service the team’s pallet jacks and straps before the morning run: pump hydraulic jacks, tighten…
Maintain equipment and storage areas
+Inspect and service the team’s pallet jacks and straps before the morning run: pump hydraulic jacks, tighten loose bolts, replace frayed straps, sweep the equipment bay, and log completed maintenance so the fleet manager sees it before 07:00.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsO*NET
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Analysing1
Read work orders or instructions for work assignments
+Read the two work orders pinned to the line board for today, confirm assignment to the Oakridge and Pinecrest…
Read work orders or instructions for work assignments
+Read the two work orders pinned to the line board for today, confirm assignment to the Oakridge and Pinecrest routes, list required handling gear for each job, acknowledge receipt to Lydia on the radio, and print copies for your crew.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft Wordjob descriptionsO*NET
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The daily work14
Use communication devices
+Confirm radio channel and backup number with warehouse lead Miguel, tell him I have the pallet jack, two…
Use communication devices
+Confirm radio channel and backup number with warehouse lead Miguel, tell him I have the pallet jack, two straps, and the tail lift ready, report ETA to Dock 4 in 12 minutes and request help unloading if the van is over capacity.
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Handle delivery of furniture goods
+Unload the customer order for 27 Maple Street: verify each item against the delivery note, wrap sofas and…
Handle delivery of furniture goods
+Unload the customer order for 27 Maple Street: verify each item against the delivery note, wrap sofas and chairs in moving blankets, secure with straps to the dolly, get signature from Ms. Alvarez on receipt, and return damaged-item notes to dispatch.
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Attach identifying tags to containers or mark them with identifying information.
+Attach durable ID tags to each shipping container on dock 3, write container number, destination code, and…
Attach identifying tags to containers or mark them with identifying information.
+Attach durable ID tags to each shipping container on dock 3, write container number, destination code, and forklift slot in permanent marker, photograph front tag and container door, and radio dispatch if any tag cannot be fixed immediately.
The tools that do the workData entryO*NET
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Pack containers and re-pack damaged containers.
+Pack the furniture containers for Route B using corner protectors and straps, move damaged Box 42 to the…
Pack containers and re-pack damaged containers.
+Pack the furniture containers for Route B using corner protectors and straps, move damaged Box 42 to the re-pack station, replace crushed padding, re-stack items to original load plan, and note the repair on the load sheet before dispatch.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Adjust controls to guide, position, or move equipment, such as cranes, booms, or cameras.
+Guide the crane boom to position the spreader so the pallet aligns with bay 7, make inching adjustments until…
Adjust controls to guide, position, or move equipment, such as cranes, booms, or cameras.
+Guide the crane boom to position the spreader so the pallet aligns with bay 7, make inching adjustments until the guide marks match, then call the banksman to confirm alignment before lowering the load.
The tools that do the workData entryO*NET
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Connect electrical equipment to power sources so that it can be tested before use.
+Connect the portable lighting tower to the dock power outlet, lock the connector, switch the tower to test…
Connect electrical equipment to power sources so that it can be tested before use.
+Connect the portable lighting tower to the dock power outlet, lock the connector, switch the tower to test mode, check for illumination and audible fault warnings for five minutes, and log the pass or fault in the equipment checklist.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordO*NET
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Pack or wrap products by hand
+Wrap each mattress set in stretch film and corrugated corners, seal with tape and label the pallet with…
Pack or wrap products by hand
+Wrap each mattress set in stretch film and corrugated corners, seal with tape and label the pallet with fragile and orientation stickers, stack no more than three high, and initial the packing list to show completion.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptions
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Clean vehicles, equipment, and workplaces
+Sweep the loading bay, degrease the forklift forks and fuel cap area, wipe down workbenches, empty rubbish…
Clean vehicles, equipment, and workplaces
+Sweep the loading bay, degrease the forklift forks and fuel cap area, wipe down workbenches, empty rubbish into the yard bin, and record completion on today's housekeeping checklist before shift end.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Wordjob descriptions
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Lift and carry heavy objects
+Lift the two wooden crates and the mattress from dock B, carry them up to apartment 4B using the shoulder…
Lift and carry heavy objects
+Lift the two wooden crates and the mattress from dock B, carry them up to apartment 4B using the shoulder dolly and team lift technique, set them on the marked spots without twisting my back, and report any damage to dispatch before leaving.
The tools that do the workData entryjob descriptions
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Bend, kneel, or crouch in awkward positions
+Bend and kneel to place the disassembled table legs into the low crate, crouch to secure straps around the…
Bend, kneel, or crouch in awkward positions
+Bend and kneel to place the disassembled table legs into the low crate, crouch to secure straps around the sofa base, use knee pads and take a timed stretch after the third couch to avoid strain, then update the load sheet.
The tools that do the workData entryjob descriptions
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Follow safety rules and procedures
+Follow the site safety checklist before unloading: confirm hard hats and steel toes are on, barricade the…
Follow safety rules and procedures
+Follow the site safety checklist before unloading: confirm hard hats and steel toes are on, barricade the ramp, confirm weight limits on the dolly, shut down the liftgate when not in use, and call safety supervisor if anything is out of spec.
The tools that do the workSAPjob descriptions
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Assemble or install goods, machinery or belongings in the new location
+Assemble the four-drawer dresser in the living room using the provided screws and mounting bracket, level it,…
Assemble or install goods, machinery or belongings in the new location
+Assemble the four-drawer dresser in the living room using the provided screws and mounting bracket, level it, attach the anti-tip strap to the stud on the wall, and test drawer operation before handing the keys to the customer.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordESCO
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Select equipment required for moving activities
+Select a two-wheel shoulder dolly, moving straps, and an appliance skid for the delivery on Maple Street,…
Select equipment required for moving activities
+Select a two-wheel shoulder dolly, moving straps, and an appliance skid for the delivery on Maple Street, confirm equipment condition, load them onto the van in order of use, and note any missing items on the equipment log.
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Follow work procedures
+Follow the company move procedure for the client at 119 Pine: confirm job sheet, call the customer 30 minutes…
Follow work procedures
+Follow the company move procedure for the client at 119 Pine: confirm job sheet, call the customer 30 minutes out, brief the crew on fragile items and floor protection, complete the delivery checklist, and scan the signed receipt before leaving.
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Says who?
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Activities this job lives in
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Shared with other careers — the same record means something different in each.
Related careers
Same family of work — each with its own tasks and prompts.
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Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses
Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses