Occupation Details
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand
Manually move freight, stock, luggage, or other materials, or perform other general labor. Includes all manual laborers not elsewhere classified.
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Interests
Realistic
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Work Values
Working Conditions
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Relationships
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Support
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$30,530.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$38,830.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$46,120.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
130,440
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
171,620
+4,118 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
23,868
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.3%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
Some Training - Certificate or hands-on training
Experience Requirements
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Education Requirements
These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Training Details
Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, tellers, and dental laboratory technicians.
School Programs
School Programs information is not available for this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
State License and Certifications Requirements are not currently associated with this occupation.
Apprenticeship
Contact your regional representative to learn more about apprenticeships available in your area by visiting Apprenticeship Contacts.
Skills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Operation and Control
Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Operations Monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Transportation
Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
Mechanical
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Production and Processing
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Public Safety and Security
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Achievement/Effort
Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Persistence
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Stress Tolerance
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- Banding machines
- Claw hanmers
- Dollies
- Forklifts
- Hand saws
- Handtrucks
- Jacks
- Lift trucks
- Lifting hooks
- Overhead cranes
- Pallet transport trucks
- Personal computers
- Planes
- Power hoists
- Power saws
- Scaffolding
- Screwdrivers
- Skid steer loaders
- Slings
- Water hoses
Technology
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Data entry software
- FaceTime
- Google Docs
- Handheld computer device software
- IBM Notes
- Inventory tracking software
- Machine control software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Publisher
- Microsoft Word
- Oracle software
- SAP business and customer relations management software
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- requisition stock, materials, supplies or equipment
- achieve special lighting or sound effects
- measure, weigh, or count products or materials
- dismantle or reassemble rigging
- set up specialized rigging
- repair specialized rigging
- clean equipment or machinery
- maintain production or work records
- attach or mark identification onto products or containers
- perform safety inspections in manufacturing or industrial setting
- maintain safe work environment
- read technical drawings
- read work order, instructions, formulas, or processing charts
- signal directions or warnings to coworkers
- operate woodworking equipment/machinery
- use hand or power woodworking tools
- operate packaging or banding machine or equipment
- operate sewing machine
- use spray paint equipment
- use two-way radio or mobile phone
- use hand or power tools
- operate hoist, winch, or hydraulic boom
- sort manufacturing materials or products
- package goods for shipment or storage
- wrap products
- move or fit heavy objects
- clean rooms or work areas
- load, unload, or stack containers, materials, or products
- handle props during performances
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- Move freight, stock, or other materials to and from storage or production areas, loading docks, delivery vehicles, ships, or containers, by hand or using trucks, tractors, or other equipment.
- Sort cargo before loading and unloading.
- Stack cargo in locations, such as transit sheds or in holds of ships as directed, using pallets or cargo boards.
- Attach identifying tags to containers or mark them with identifying information.
- Record numbers of units handled or moved, using daily production sheets or work tickets.
- Read work orders or receive oral instructions to determine work assignments or material or equipment needs.
- Install protective devices, such as bracing, padding, or strapping, to prevent shifting or damage to items being transported.
- Direct spouts and position receptacles, such as bins, carts, or containers, so they can be loaded.
- Attach slings, hooks, or other devices to lift cargo and guide loads.
- Maintain equipment storage areas to ensure that inventory is protected.
- Adjust controls to guide, position, or move equipment, such as cranes, booms, or cameras.
- Guide loads being lifted to prevent swinging.
- Wash out cargo containers or storage areas.
- Pack containers and re-pack damaged containers.
- Carry needed tools or supplies from storage or trucks and return them after use.
- Connect electrical equipment to power sources so that it can be tested before use.
- Shovel material, such as gravel, ice, or spilled concrete, into containers or bins or onto conveyors.
- Carry out general yard duties, such as performing shunting on railway lines.
- Rig or dismantle props or equipment, such as frames, scaffolding, platforms, or backdrops, using hand tools.
- Adjust or replace equipment parts, such as rollers, belts, plugs, or caps, using hand tools.
- Bundle and band material such as fodder or tobacco leaves, using banding machines.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
Material moving occupations
Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.
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