Hand laborers and material movers held about 3.7 million jobs in 2014.

Hand laborers and freight, stock, and material movers held about 2.4 million jobs in 2014. About 18 percent were employed in temporary help services, and about 8 percent worked in warehousing and storage in 2014.

Hand packers and packagers held about 695,400 jobs in 2014. About 21 percent were employed in grocery stores, and about 18 percent worked in temporary help services in 2014.

Cleaners of vehicles and equipment held about 346,900 jobs in 2014. About 38 percent were employed in the automotive repair and maintenance industry, and about 22 percent worked in the automobile dealers industry in 2014.

Refuse and recyclable material collectors held about 131,500 jobs in 2014. About 39 percent were employed in waste collection, and about 34 percent worked in local government in 2014.

Machine feeders and offbearers held about 104,200 jobs in 2014. About 64 percent were employed in manufacturing, and about 23 percent worked in warehousing and storage in 2014.

Hand laborers and material movers lift and carry heavy objects, and their work is usually repetitive and physically demanding. They bend, kneel, crouch, or crawl in awkward positions.

Injuries and Illnesses

Hand laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, and refuse and recyclable material collectors both have a higher rate of injuries and illnesses than the national average. Moving heavy objects around warehouses or onto trucks may lead to sprains, strains, and overexertion.

Work Schedules

Most hand laborers and material movers work full time. Almost 1 in 4 hand laborers and material movers worked part time in 2014.  

Shifts longer than 8 hours are common, as is overtime. Because materials are shipped around the clock, some workers, especially those in warehousing, work overnight shifts.