Material Mover
Impact: Operational efficiency, Supply chain flow
Moves and organizes materials within a facility to support production and distribution processes. Operates various material handling equipment to load, unload, and transport goods safely and efficiently.
In their words
As a Material Mover, every day is about precision and efficiency. You're the backbone of the warehouse, ensuring everything is where it needs to be, exactly when it's needed. It's physically demanding, but there's a real satisfaction in seeing the flow of goods you've managed. Safety is paramount, and mastering the equipment is key to a smooth operation. It's a role that keeps you active and engaged, always on the move.
What the day looks like
- People interaction
- Moderate
- Team vs solo
- 60% Team / 40% Solo
- Client facing
- Rarely
- Impact visibility
- Low
- Travel
- Minimal
- Schedule flexibility
- Structured
- Remote work
- On-site Only
- Typical work hours
- 40 hours/week
- Stress level
- Moderate
At a glance
- Median salary
- $38,000
- Entry-level
- $30,000 - $35,000
- Senior
- $45,000+
- Growth by 2033
- -2% (slower than average)
- Demand
- Declining
- Freelance potential
- None
- Salary growth potential
- Moderate 30-50% growth from entry to senior
- Typical student debt
- Minimal
Skills you'll use
Hard skills
- Forklift Operation
- Pallet Jack Operation
- Inventory Management
- Warehouse Management Systems
- Loading/Unloading
- Material Handling Equipment
- Shipping/Receiving
Soft skills
- Attention to Detail
- Safety Consciousness
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Problem-Solving
Technical complexity: Low
Tools you'll work with
Core tools
- Forklift (hardware): Lifting and moving heavy pallets
- Pallet Jack (hardware): Moving pallets short distances
- Warehouse Management System (WMS) (software): Tracking inventory and managing shipments
Common tools
- Hand Truck (hardware): Moving smaller loads manually
- Scanner (Barcode/RFID) (hardware): Inventory tracking and verification
- Safety Gloves (hardware): Personal protection during material handling
Niche tools
- Conveyor Systems (hardware): Automated movement of goods
How to get there
- Minimum education
- High School Diploma
- Licensing
- Optional
- Years to mid-career
- 2-4 years
- Years to senior
- 5-7 years
- Career switching
- Easy
Where this career leads
How people arrive here
- General Laborer: Individuals with general physical labor experience can transition to material handling.
- Production Worker: Experience in manufacturing or production lines involves similar material movement tasks.
- Retail Stocker: Experience stocking shelves and managing inventory in retail can be a stepping stone.
Where you can go from here
- Warehouse Associate: Material Movers can advance to broader warehouse responsibilities including order picking and packing.
- Forklift Operator: Specializing in forklift operation can lead to dedicated operator roles with higher pay.
- Shipping and Receiving Clerk: Understanding material flow prepares individuals for roles managing inbound and outbound shipments.
Typical progression
- Material Mover > Lead Material Mover > Warehouse Associate > Warehouse Supervisor
Future outlook
- Automation probability
- 70% high risk
- AI disruption risk
- Low
- Demand trend
- Declining
How people feel about it
- Overall satisfaction
- 6/10
- Meaning
- 5.5/10
- Work-life balance
- 7/10
- Prestige
- 3.5/10
- Social perception
- Moderate
Find your community
Professional organisations
- Material Handling Industry of America (MHI): Leading trade association for the material handling, logistics and supply chain industry.
Podcasts and media
- Warehouse & Logistics News: Industry news, features, and product information for warehouse professionals.
- Supply Chain Management Review: Covers all aspects of supply chain management, including logistics and warehousing.
Reddit communities
- r/Warehousing: Online community for warehouse workers and logistics professionals.