
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand
Transportation and Material Moving
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand manually transport goods, materials, and equipment to keep operations running smoothly. Their work ensures that products, supplies, and resources reach the right place at the right time, supporting businesses, warehouses, and logistics networks. Daily tasks may include loading and unloading shipments, organizing inventory, operating basic equipment, and maintaining workspaces. This role offers fulfillment through physical activity, teamwork, and the satisfaction of keeping supply chains moving efficiently—essential to commerce and daily life.
What you might do
- Load and unload materials, merchandise, and equipment manually
- Move freight, stock, and other materials to and from storage and production areas
- Pack and unpack items to be stocked on shelves in stockrooms and warehouses
- Operate hand trucks, pallet jacks, and other equipment to move heavy items
- Sort and place materials or items on racks, shelves, or in bins according to predetermined sequence
- Assist in maintaining the cleanliness and organization of the work area
AI & the future of this role
While this job involves physical labor, many tasks (e.g., moving standardized items in warehouses) are already being automated by robotic arms and autonomous mobile robots. However, adaptability to unstructured environments and cost of robotics may delay full automation.
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Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details