The median annual wage for movers and material handlers is $37,680, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024 data). That's $18.12 per hour — about 14% below the national median of $49,500 for all occupations. But that single number is misleading.
A crew member loading trucks earns a different amount than the CDL driver hauling long-distance. The sales rep booking $2M in annual moves earns differently than the dispatcher coordinating routes. And the owner? Their income swings wildly based on how many trucks they run, what margins they hit, and whether they manage cash flow or just track revenue.
This guide breaks down what every role in a moving company actually pays — using Bureau of Labor Statistics data, industry benchmarks, and the math behind owner take-home pay.
Pay by Role: The Moving Company Hierarchy
| Role | Annual Pay Range | Hourly Equivalent | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owner/Operator | $150,000 – $1M+ | Varies | Industry analysis |
| Sales Rep / Estimator | $83,000 – $154,000 | $40 – $74 (total comp) | Glassdoor 2025 |
| Operations Manager | $59,000 – $63,500 | $29 – $31 | ZipRecruiter/PayScale 2025 |
| CDL Driver (heavy truck) | $38,640 – $78,800 | $18.58 – $37.88 | BLS 53-3032, May 2024 |
| Local Driver (light truck) | $29,580 – $79,630 | $14.22 – $38.28 | BLS 53-3033, May 2024 |
| Equipment Operator | $46,620 median | $22.41 | BLS 53-7051, May 2024 |
| Dispatcher | $41,000 – $43,000 | $20 – $21 | Salary.com 2025 |
| Crew Member / Laborer | $29,780 – $50,970 | $14.32 – $24.50 | BLS 53-7062, May 2024 |
The gap between the bottom and the top is roughly 5x. A first-day crew member earning $14/hour works alongside a sales rep clearing $150K. That's the reality of moving company compensation — and it creates both retention problems and opportunity.
Crew Members and Laborers: The Foundation
Most people who search "how much do movers make" are thinking about this role. The BLS categorizes them under "Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand" (SOC 53-7062).
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $29,780 | $14.32 |
| 50th (median) | $37,680 | $18.12 |
| 90th (experienced) | $50,970 | $24.51 |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2024
The job outlook is stable: 4% growth projected from 2024 to 2034, with about 1,008,300 openings per year — mostly from people leaving the field, not from new positions being created.
That massive turnover number reveals something important: most people don't stay in this role long. It's physically demanding, the pay starts low, and there's no natural career path unless the company creates one. The movers who stick around are the ones who see a path to crew lead, driver, or management.
Drivers: CDL vs. Non-CDL
Moving company drivers fall into two BLS categories depending on the truck they drive.
CDL Drivers (Heavy and Tractor-Trailer — SOC 53-3032)
Long-distance moving, 26,001+ lb trucks. Requires a Commercial Driver's License.
- Median annual wage: $57,440
- 10th percentile: $38,640
- 90th percentile: $78,800
- Total employment: 2.2 million jobs
Source: BLS OOH, May 2024
Non-CDL Drivers (Light Truck — SOC 53-3033)
Local moves, box trucks, sprinter vans. No CDL needed in most cases.
- Median annual wage: $44,140
- 10th percentile: $29,580
- 90th percentile: $79,630
Source: BLS OOH, May 2024
The jump from laborer ($37,680 median) to CDL driver ($57,440 median) is a $20,000/year raise — and it's the single most impactful career move a mover can make. Companies that help crew members get their CDL retain more people and fill their own driver shortage.
Sales Reps and Estimators: Where the Money Is
In-home estimators and sales reps are the highest-paid non-owner employees at most moving companies. Glassdoor reports total compensation (base + commission) of $83,000 to $154,000 for moving sales representatives in 2025.
Commission Structures
62% of moving companies offer some form of commission to sales reps. The most common structures:
- Flat percentage: 5-10% of booked revenue per job
- Tiered commission: 5% up to $100K in sales, 7% for $100K-$200K, 10% above $200K
- Base + commission: $30,000 base salary plus commissions, targeting $65,000 – $75,000 total. This is the most common model.
The remaining 38% of companies pay estimators a flat salary or hourly wage with no commission at all.
One common problem: sales reps who book unprofitable jobs that still earn commissions. If your commission structure rewards revenue without considering margin, your best salesperson might be your biggest profitability drain.
What Owners Actually Take Home
This is the question nobody answers honestly. Owner income depends entirely on revenue, margins, and how much they reinvest.
Revenue Tiers
| Company Size | Revenue Range | Estimated Owner Take-Home |
|---|---|---|
| Small (1-2 trucks) | $300K – $500K | $80,000 – $150,000 |
| Mid-size (3-5 trucks) | $500K – $2M | $150,000 – $400,000 |
| Established (6+ trucks) | $2M+ | $400,000 – $1M+ |
The Margin Reality
Most moving companies net 6-10% profit. That means a $1M company keeps $60,000 – $100,000 after all expenses. But well-managed operations target 10-20% net margins, and top performers hit 20%+. The difference comes down to:
- Labor efficiency: Keeping labor at 30-50% of revenue (the biggest expense)
- Pricing discipline: Not racing to the bottom on quotes
- Seasonal management: Maximizing peak season revenue to cover slow months
- Overhead control: Insurance, fuel, and maintenance costs that compound fast
Industry Context
The U.S. moving services industry generates $23.4 billion in annual revenue across roughly 9,114 businesses — an average of about $1.05 million per company. But the median is much lower. Most moving companies are small operations with 1-3 trucks.
Source: IBISWorld, 2025
Pay by State: Where Movers Earn the Most
Geography matters. A mover in Alaska earns significantly more than one in Mississippi — but the cost of living difference doesn't always explain the gap.
Highest-Paying States for Heavy Truck Drivers (CDL)
| Rank | State | Annual Median Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $60,020 |
| 2 | Alaska | $59,700 |
| 3 | Washington | $57,230 |
| 4 | New Jersey | $55,750 |
| 5 | Illinois | $50,180 |
The lowest-paying states: West Virginia ($39,620), Florida ($43,300), Alabama ($46,350). Full state-by-state data is available at BLS OEWS State Estimates.
National median for all heavy truck drivers: $57,440 (May 2024 BLS data).
Seasonal Variation: The Summer Pay Bump
Moving is one of the most seasonal industries in the U.S. About 60-70% of all moves happen between May and September. This concentration creates massive swings in both workload and earning potential.
What Seasonal Variation Means for Pay
- Peak season (May-September): Overtime is standard. Crews regularly work 50-60 hour weeks. At time-and-a-half, a $18/hour mover working 55 hours earns $1,125/week instead of $720.
- Slow season (November-February): Hours get cut. Some companies lay off seasonal crew. Full-time employees may drop to 30-35 hours.
- Customer pricing premium: Moving costs rise 20-30% during peak season. Companies that capture this margin can afford higher seasonal pay.
For crew members paid hourly, the difference between peak and off-peak can be $15,000 – $20,000 per year in total earnings — even at the same hourly rate. Overtime is the swing factor.
Benefits and the Real Cost of Employment
According to the BLS Employee Benefits Survey (March 2025), benefit access varies dramatically by company size:
- Medical care access: 87% of full-time private industry workers have access — but that drops significantly for small employers (under 100 workers), which describes most moving companies
- Retirement benefits: 72% for private industry overall, but only 59% for small establishments
- Short-term disability: 31% for small employers
The total employer compensation cost in private industry averages $45.65 per hour worked — $32.07 in wages and $13.58 in benefits. That means benefits add about 42% on top of wages. When a mover earns $18/hour, the company is actually spending roughly $25.50/hour to employ them.
Most small moving companies offer minimal benefits — which is one reason turnover is so high. Companies that add health insurance, paid time off, and retirement options find it easier to retain experienced crew, even if their base pay isn't the highest in the market.
The Safety Cost Nobody Talks About
Transportation and material moving is the most fatal occupational group in the United States. In 2024, 1,391 workers died on the job in this sector — a rate of 12.5 per 100,000 full-time workers.
For movers specifically, musculoskeletal disorders are the bigger day-to-day risk. The BLS reports that laborers and material movers had 20,990 musculoskeletal disorder cases, accounting for over 5% of all private sector MSD cases. Back injuries, knee problems, and shoulder damage are occupational hazards that affect long-term earning potential.
Workers' compensation insurance reflects this risk. Moving companies pay some of the highest workers' comp rates in the service industry — averaging $755/month ($9,058/year) according to Insureon.
How to Earn More in the Moving Industry
The career ladder in moving is real, but most companies don't make it visible. Here's what the progression looks like and what each step pays:
Step 1: Crew member → Crew lead. Go from $14-$18/hour to $20-$25/hour by becoming the person who manages the truck and the team on-site.
Step 2: Crew lead → Driver. Get your CDL. The investment is $3,000 – $7,000 for training, but the median pay jumps from $37,680 to $57,440 — a $20K raise.
Step 3: Driver → Estimator/Sales. Learn to do in-home estimates. With commission, total comp can reach $83,000 – $154,000.
Step 4: Any role → Owner. Start your own operation. The investment is significant ($50,000 – $150,000 minimum), but owner income potential is $150,000 – $1M+ for a well-run company.
The movers who earn the most are the ones who treat it as a career with progression, not a temporary job.
The Bottom Line
Moving industry pay is not one number. It ranges from $29,780 (entry-level laborer) to $1M+ (owner of a multi-truck operation). The variables that matter most:
- Role: Crew member vs. driver vs. sales vs. owner
- License: CDL holders earn $20K/year more than non-CDL workers
- Season: Overtime during peak season can add $15,000 – $20,000 annually
- Geography: Coastal and northern states pay more, southern states pay less
- Company size: Larger operations offer better benefits and advancement paths
The moving industry employs over 108,000 people across 9,114 businesses, generating $23.4 billion in annual revenue. It's not glamorous, but for people willing to work hard and advance through the ranks, the earning potential is real.
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