Careers

>

Transportation, Distribution & Logistics

>

Transportation Operations

>

Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand

Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand

Overview
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Experience

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

These occupations usually require a high school diploma.

Job Training

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.

Examples

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, and tellers.

Manually move freight, stock, luggage, or other materials, or perform other general labor. Includes all manual laborers not elsewhere classified.

Salary Salary

Salary at 10th Percentile: $22K
Salary at 25th Percentile: $26K
Median Salary: $31K
Salary at 75th Percentile: $38K
Salary at 90th Percentile: $48K

Demand
Career Demand by State Career Demand by State Legend
Core Tasks

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.

Read work orders or receive oral instructions to determine work assignments or material or equipment needs.

Record numbers of units handled or moved, using daily production sheets or work tickets.

Direct spouts and position receptacles, such as bins, carts, or containers, so they can be loaded.

Install protective devices, such as bracing, padding, or strapping, to prevent shifting or damage to items being transported.

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.

Carry needed tools or supplies from storage or trucks and return them after use.

Pack containers and re-pack damaged containers.

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.

Technology Skills
Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Computer aided design CAD software
Autodesk AutoCAD
Data base user interface and query software
Data entry software
Desktop publishing software
Microsoft Publisher
Electronic mail software
Microsoft Outlook
Enterprise resource planning ERP software
SAP
Industrial control software
Machine control software
Inventory management software
Inventory tracking software
Office suite software
Microsoft Office
Operating system software
Palm OS
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Video conferencing software
FaceTime
Word processing software
Microsoft Word
Tools Used
Tool
Example
Computer Equipment and Accessories
Personal computers
Construction and maintenance support equipment
Scaffolding
Fluid and gas distribution
Water hoses
Hand tools
Power saws
Hardware
Lifting hooks
Heavy construction machinery and equipment
Skid steer loaders
Industrial process machinery and equipment and supplies
Banding machines
Material handling machinery and equipment
Dollies
Top 10 Knowledge Required
English Language
57%
Importance

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Mathematics
52%
Importance

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Transportation
49%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.

Mechanical
47%
Importance

Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Production and Processing
45%
Importance

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
45%
Importance

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
42%
Importance

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Customer and Personal Service
41%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Clerical
40%
Importance

Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

Administration and Management
39%
Importance

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Top 10 Skills
Coordination
58%
Importance

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Critical Thinking
58%
Importance

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Operation and Control
58%
Importance

Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

Active Listening
55%
Importance

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
55%
Importance

Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Reading Comprehension
55%
Importance

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Speaking
55%
Importance

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Monitoring
53%
Importance

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Judgment and Decision Making
50%
Importance

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Time Management
50%
Importance

Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Top 10 Abilities
Static Strength
75%
Importance

The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.

Multilimb Coordination
70%
Importance

The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.

Trunk Strength
70%
Importance

The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing.

Control Precision
65%
Importance

The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.

Manual Dexterity
63%
Importance

The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

Near Vision
63%
Importance

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Oral Comprehension
63%
Importance

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Stamina
63%
Importance

The ability to exert yourself physically over long periods of time without getting winded or out of breath.

Deductive Reasoning
60%
Importance

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Dynamic Strength
60%
Importance

The ability to exert muscle force repeatedly or continuously over time. This involves muscular endurance and resistance to muscle fatigue.

Top 10 Work Activities
Performing General Physical Activities
92%
Importance

Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

Handling and Moving Objects
91%
Importance

Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
78%
Importance

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Controlling Machines and Processes
74%
Importance

Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
73%
Importance

Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
70%
Importance

Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
69%
Importance

Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
67%
Importance

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Getting Information
65%
Importance

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems
65%
Importance

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Detailed Work Activities

Mark materials or objects for identification.

Review work orders or schedules to determine operations or procedures.

Receive information or instructions for performing work assignments.

Record operational or production data.

Move materials, equipment, or supplies.

Sort materials or objects for processing or transport.

Package materials or products.

Secure cargo.

Monitor cargo area conditions.

Operate cranes, hoists, or other moving or lifting equipment.

Maintain facilities.

Maintain material moving equipment in good working condition.

Load shipments, belongings, or materials.

Connect cables or electrical lines.

Operate packing or other material processing equipment.

Set up material handling gear or equipment, such as rigging, packaging, or temporary structures.

Position material handling equipment.

Clean facilities or work areas.

Shovel materials.

Work Context
Face-to-Face Discussions

How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets

How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets?

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?

In an Open Vehicle or Equipment

How often does this job require working in an open vehicle or equipment (e.g., tractor)?

Time Pressure

How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?

Work With Work Group or Team

How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?

Frequency of Decision Making

How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?

Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working indoors in non-controlled environmental conditions (e.g., warehouse without heat)?

Contact With Others

How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?

Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls

How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?

Education
Interests
Realistic
100%
Importance

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.

Conventional
34%
Importance

Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Enterprising
24%
Importance

Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Artistic
15%
Importance

Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Investigative
15%
Importance

Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Social
15%
Importance

Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Top 10 Work Styles
Dependability
83%
Importance

Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

Stress Tolerance
81%
Importance

Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.

Achievement/Effort
80%
Importance

Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.

Integrity
78%
Importance

Job requires being honest and ethical.

Attention to Detail
77%
Importance

Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.

Adaptability/Flexibility
75%
Importance

Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.

Cooperation
75%
Importance

Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.

Self Control
75%
Importance

Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.

Initiative
73%
Importance

Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.

Persistence
71%
Importance

Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.

Work Values
Relationships
62%
Importance

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
62%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.

Working Conditions
31%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.

Achievement
29%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Independence
29%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

Recognition
29%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.