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 three pallets of boxed lamps from dock B to trailer 12 using the pallet jack and straps, stack no…
Manually move freight, stock, or materials
+Move the three pallets of boxed lamps from dock B to trailer 12 using the pallet jack and straps, stack no more than two high, tag each pallet with the orange inventory tag and notify Miguel by radio when complete.
The tools that do the workData entryESCOjob descriptionsO*NET
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Secure objects in trucks and transports
+Secure the mattress sets and boxed frames in trailer 7 for the overnight run: place foam between stacks,…
Secure objects in trucks and transports
+Secure the mattress sets and boxed frames in trailer 7 for the overnight run: place foam between stacks, apply two ratchet straps across the load, hang the fragile placards on the rear, and text Rosa that the load is strapped and ready.
The tools that do the workData entryESCOjob descriptionsO*NET
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Keeping the record4
Sort cargo before loading and unloading
+Sort incoming cartons from van 3 by destination: put all north-route packages on the left conveyor,…
Sort cargo before loading and unloading
+Sort incoming cartons from van 3 by destination: put all north-route packages on the left conveyor, west-route on the right, highlight misrouted boxes in red, and call Javier if any parcel is damaged before loading.
The tools that do the workData entryjob descriptionsO*NET
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Keep records of the materials moved
+Log every pallet moved this shift into the run sheet: record pallet ID, origin bay, destination trailer,…
Keep records of the materials moved
+Log every pallet moved this shift into the run sheet: record pallet ID, origin bay, destination trailer, weight, and handler initials, then upload the completed run sheet and flag any lost items to dispatch.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsO*NET
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Maintain equipment and storage areas
+Inspect forklift 4 and the strap reels at bay C at the start of shift, clean any debris on the tines, refill…
Maintain equipment and storage areas
+Inspect forklift 4 and the strap reels at bay C at the start of shift, clean any debris on the tines, refill hydraulic fluid if low, note defects on the maintenance board, and tell Luis to take units out of service if repairs are needed.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Wordjob descriptionsO*NET
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Read work orders or instructions for work assignments
+Read the two new work orders on the dispatch board, confirm pickup times and special handling for fragile…
Read work orders or instructions for work assignments
+Read the two new work orders on the dispatch board, confirm pickup times and special handling for fragile furniture, mark items assigned to my crew, and reply to dispatch confirming we accept the assignments.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Outlookjob descriptionsO*NET
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The daily work14
Attach identifying tags to containers or mark them with identifying information.
+Attach durable identifying tags to each outbound container for the 7:00pm dock run, include SKU, destination…
Attach identifying tags to containers or mark them with identifying information.
+Attach durable identifying tags to each outbound container for the 7:00pm dock run, include SKU, destination bay, and handler initials, replace any torn tags, and notify Lydia in shipping if any barcode is unreadable.
The tools that do the workData entryO*NET
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Pack containers and re-pack damaged containers.
+Pack and secure furniture items for the noon delivery run, re-pack any damaged cartons with fresh padding,…
Pack containers and re-pack damaged containers.
+Pack and secure furniture items for the noon delivery run, re-pack any damaged cartons with fresh padding, tape, and corner protectors, mark re-packed boxes as inspected, and tell Miguel on loading if weight changed.
The tools that do the workData entryO*NET
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Adjust controls to guide, position, or move equipment, such as cranes, booms, or cameras.
+Adjust the boom and crane controls to centre the pallet under the lift, inch the arm forward until the straps…
Adjust controls to guide, position, or move equipment, such as cranes, booms, or cameras.
+Adjust the boom and crane controls to centre the pallet under the lift, inch the arm forward until the straps align, hold while Javier confirms balance, then move slowly to the truck bay and call for a spot check if motion feels unstable.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OfficeO*NET
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Connect electrical equipment to power sources so that it can be tested before use.
+Connect the hand truck battery and power lead, verify the onboard lights and horn work, run the motor briefly…
Connect electrical equipment to power sources so that it can be tested before use.
+Connect the hand truck battery and power lead, verify the onboard lights and horn work, run the motor briefly to confirm drive function, log the test result, and tag any unit that fails for maintenance with a photo to Carlos.
The tools that do the workData entryO*NET
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Pack or wrap products by hand
+Hand-wrap each fragile item with bubble wrap and stretch film, secure loose upholstery with straps, label…
Pack or wrap products by hand
+Hand-wrap each fragile item with bubble wrap and stretch film, secure loose upholstery with straps, label wrapped pieces fragile, and move completed packs to the padded staging area for inspection by Sonia before loading.
The tools that do the workData entryjob descriptions
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Clean vehicles, equipment, and workplaces
+Clean the loading dock and equipment after the evening shift: sweep debris, degrease conveyor rollers, wipe…
Clean vehicles, equipment, and workplaces
+Clean the loading dock and equipment after the evening shift: sweep debris, degrease conveyor rollers, wipe down hand trucks, empty trash, and report any damaged floor plates to Rafael so we don’t block the 6:00am pickups.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Officejob descriptions
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Use communication devices
+Check the handheld radio and phone, confirm I have knee pads, gloves, and a two-wheel dolly, then tell…
Use communication devices
+Check the handheld radio and phone, confirm I have knee pads, gloves, and a two-wheel dolly, then tell Dispatch and the loading lead on the channel I’m ready for the 09:30 outbound so they can assign the next run.
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Handle delivery of furniture goods
+Unload the pallet of sofas at Dock B, inspect each piece for transit damage, call the customer on the…
Handle delivery of furniture goods
+Unload the pallet of sofas at Dock B, inspect each piece for transit damage, call the customer on the delivery ticket about the entry stairs and elevator access, then load the two-man dolly and sign the delivery receipt after placement.
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Lift and carry heavy objects
+Lift the two stacked crates from the loading bay, use the shoulder straps and dolly we agreed on, carry them…
Lift and carry heavy objects
+Lift the two stacked crates from the loading bay, use the shoulder straps and dolly we agreed on, carry them down Dock B to van 12 without twisting, and set them inside the van against the bulkhead so they won't shift in transit.
The tools that do the workData entryjob descriptions
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Bend, kneel, or crouch in awkward positions
+Retrieve the mattress and box springs, kneel and brace with one knee, slide the mattress into the hallway…
Bend, kneel, or crouch in awkward positions
+Retrieve the mattress and box springs, kneel and brace with one knee, slide the mattress into the hallway using the moving straps, then stand and hand the box springs up the stairwell so we avoid twisting and protect the customers' walls.
The tools that do the workData entryjob descriptions
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Follow safety rules and procedures
+Walk the route for van 7, wear the hard hat and high-visibility vest, confirm the lift team has completed the…
Follow safety rules and procedures
+Walk the route for van 7, wear the hard hat and high-visibility vest, confirm the lift team has completed the tailgate and strap checklist, and radio me immediately if any item lacks the required straps or the route to the customer's door is obstructed.
The tools that do the workSAPjob descriptions
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Assemble or install goods, machinery or belongings in the new location
+Assemble the flat-pack table at 42 Pine Street: unpack the hardware, follow the included instruction sheet,…
Assemble or install goods, machinery or belongings in the new location
+Assemble the flat-pack table at 42 Pine Street: unpack the hardware, follow the included instruction sheet, attach the legs with the provided bolts, test stability, and leave the instruction leaflet with the customer after confirming the table sits level.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordESCO
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Select equipment required for moving activities
+Before this afternoon's runs, check the equipment board, choose two dollies, one pair of straps, and one…
Select equipment required for moving activities
+Before this afternoon's runs, check the equipment board, choose two dollies, one pair of straps, and one appliance skid for the high-rise jobs, tag them with my initials, and put them by van 3 so the crew can load without delay.
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Follow work procedures
+Run through the delivery workflow for Route C: confirm packing list matches load, sign the site safety…
Follow work procedures
+Run through the delivery workflow for Route C: confirm packing list matches load, sign the site safety checklist, brief the driver and two movers on fragile items, and file the completed paperwork in the dropbox before the first stop.
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Says who?
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Activities this job lives in
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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