Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
No formal educational credential
None
Short-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Material moving workers, all other, play a broad support role in physically moving and handling items across different settings. Nationally, this occupation employs about 28,000 workers, with a national median annual salary of $41,690. The role is accessible to many job seekers because it typically does not require any formal educational credential. Instead, it draws on a mix of physical, mechanical, and people-focused skills. Projected employment growth of 4.3% and about 3,000 annual openings suggest a steady level of opportunity over time. For individuals who are comfortable with physical activity and are detail oriented, this field can offer a practical entry point into the workforce or a path to continue building experience. The occupation’s skill profile, which ranges from physical strength and stamina to leadership and project management, can also support long-term development for workers who want to grow their responsibilities on the job.
Material moving workers, all other, have a national median annual salary of $41,690, but pay can vary meaningfully by location. Among the top states by opportunity score, median salaries range from $38,410 in California to $71,640 in Washington. Colorado and Maryland fall in the low- to mid-$60,000 and low-$50,000 range, while Virginia is in the upper $40,000s. At the metro level, typical earnings span from $44,410–$44,510 in the San Francisco and San Jose areas up to $81,700 in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton area. New York-Newark-Jersey City and Washington-Arlington-Alexandria also show median salaries above $50,000. This spread highlights that workers with the same occupation title can experience quite different earning levels depending on where they work, giving job seekers a reason to compare local pay when evaluating offers or relocation options.
This occupation’s national employment stands at about 28,000 workers, with projected employment growth of 4.3%. In addition, there are an estimated 3,000 annual openings. Together, these figures indicate a labor market that is expected to expand while also generating ongoing replacement needs. The same 4.3% projected growth rate is reflected across the top states and metro areas listed, suggesting consistent expectations for expansion in those locations. For job seekers, the combination of positive projected growth and regular annual openings can translate into recurring chances to enter or re-enter the field. For current workers, the outlook indicates that positions are expected to remain in demand across the forecast period rather than contracting. Individuals considering similar careers—such as laborers and freight, stock, and material movers or stockers and order fillers—may find this a comparable path with its own set of opportunities.
Location makes a substantial difference for material moving workers, all other, in both pay levels and overall opportunity scores. Among states, California stands out with the highest employment at 9,120 and an opportunity score of 67.38, though its median salary of $38,410 is lower than several other top states. Washington and Colorado combine relatively high median salaries of $71,640 and $61,240 with opportunity scores in the mid‑50s, while Virginia and Maryland offer median pay just under and just over $50,000, respectively, with similar scores. At the metro level, opportunity scores are even higher in certain areas. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara and New York-Newark-Jersey City both have opportunity scores above 77, with median salaries around $44,510 and $61,540. Boston-Cambridge-Newton shows the highest listed metro median salary at $81,700, paired with a strong opportunity score of 63.37. These differences give workers a range of choices depending on whether they prioritize pay, employment concentration, or overall opportunity.
This occupation typically requires no formal educational credential, making it accessible to individuals who want to enter the workforce quickly or who may not have traditional academic backgrounds. Instead of formal schooling, success relies heavily on a blend of physical and cognitive skills. Key strengths include physical strength and stamina, fine motor skills, and mechanical ability, which support the hands-on nature of the work. Being detail oriented and having solid interpersonal and customer service skills are also important, especially when working around others or handling items accurately. The inclusion of leadership and project management skills in the top skill set suggests that some roles may involve coordinating activities or guiding others. Science and mathematics skills round out the profile, giving workers a foundation for understanding measurements, basic calculations, or other quantitative aspects of the job. Together, these skills provide multiple avenues for growth, even without formal educational requirements.
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