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Career Exploration

Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand

Also called: Dock Worker, Laborer, Material Handler, Warehouse Worker

What they do:

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

On the job, you would:
  • 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.
  • Attach identifying tags to containers or mark them with identifying information.
On the job, you'll need:

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Math and Science

  • arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics

Basic Skills

  • thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Endurance

  • exercise for a long time without getting out of breath

Controlled Movement

  • use your arms and/or legs together while sitting, standing, or lying down
  • quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat

Physical Strength

  • lift, push, pull, or carry
  • use your lower back and stomach

Realistic

People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.

  • Dependability
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Integrity
  • Attention to Detail
  • Cooperation

Electronic mail software

  • IBM Notes
  • Microsoft Outlook

Word processing software

  • Google Docs
  • Microsoft Word

Data base user interface and query software

  • Data entry software
  • Oracle Database

Video courtesy of CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this position is Bright.

New job opportunities are very likely in the future. This career will grow rapidly in the next few years and will have large numbers of openings.

Median Annual Salary: $36,110

Education

High school diploma/GED or no high school diploma/GED is usually needed.