Hand laborers and material movers
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Median Salary
$37,680
~$18/hr · ~$3,140/mo
US Jobs
7.0M
As fast as average
AI & Automation Risk
2/10
Safe
AI & Automation Risk
Safe 2/10
The core duties of this occupation are fundamentally physical, involving the manual movement, cleaning, and packing of heavy materials in unpredictable real-world environments. While AI can optimize logistics, routing, and inventory tracking, the physical labor itself is resistant to AI and requires advanced robotics rather than software-based intelligence to automate.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Topeka, KSBEST VALUE | $48,250 | Below avg (85.8) | $56,210 |
| Decatur, IL | $44,970 | Below avg (86.7) | $51,892 |
| Grand Island, NE | $44,530 | Below avg (87.1) | $51,102 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $47,350 | Below avg (92.9) | $50,983 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $45,330 | Below avg (90.6) | $50,038 |
| Pueblo, CO | $46,250 | Below avg (93.0) | $49,730 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $43,490 | Below avg (87.6) | $49,652 |
| Dubuque, IA | $44,170 | Below avg (89.1) | $49,596 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $45,070 | Below avg (90.9) | $49,575 |
| Minot, ND | $43,880 | Below avg (88.7) | $49,479 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $44,040 | Below avg (89.1) | $49,408 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $43,380 | Below avg (88.0) | $49,320 |
| Mankato, MN | $43,160 | Below avg (87.6) | $49,243 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $45,870 | Below avg (93.2) | $49,221 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $44,660 | Below avg (90.8) | $49,183 |
Cost of Living Index: 100 = US national average. Below 100 = cheaper. Above 100 = more expensive.
Education & Requirements
Education Required
No formal educational credential
10-Year Growth
+4% (As fast as average)
Hourly Rate
~$18/hr
Monthly Income
~$3,140/mo
Related Careers
Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics OOH (2024)