Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand Salary in California (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand in California, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
California Median
$44,710
per year
Hourly Rate
$21.50
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+11% vs US median
US median $40,240
State Rank
#8 of 51
355,500 employed here

How much do Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand make in California?

Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand working in California earn a median salary of $44,710 per year, or about $21.50 per hour. That is 11% above the national median of $40,240 for this occupation.

Within California, entry-level pay starts around $36,060 while the top 10% make $57,700 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $37,890 and $48,950 a year.

Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand salary range in California

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$36,060$17.34
25th percentile (early career)$37,890$18.22
50th percentile (median)$44,710$21.50
75th percentile (experienced)$48,950$23.53
90th percentile (top earners)$57,700$27.74

How California compares

California ranks 8th out of 51 states and territories for Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Minnesota$46,280
2Washington$46,190
3District of Columbia$45,740
4North Dakota$45,690
5Colorado$45,370

Working as Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand in California

Nationally, about 2,950,000 people work as Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare California pay ($44,710) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand make in California?
The median Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand salary in California is $44,710 per year, or about $21.50 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $36,060 at the entry level to $57,700 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand about 11% more than the national median of $40,240. California ranks 8th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $44,710 a year. About 355,500 Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.