Icon
Select
Icon
Customize
Icon
Download

Want a stronger resume? Use our extensive library of professional resume examples as practical starting guides. You’ll also find ready-made content with our helpful Resume Builder – simple click, customize, and download.

Find out what is the best resume for you in our Ultimate Resume Format Guide.

Icon

Mover Duties and Responsibilities

While a mover's day-to-day duties and responsibilities are determined by where they work, there are many core tasks associated with the role. Based on our analysis of job listings, these include:

Pack and Prepare Items At the destination, movers help prepare and pack customers' items to prevent damage during transit. Their tasks include taking apart furniture, wrapping items in bubble wrap or stretch wrap, putting loose items in boxes and sealed bags, and using straps and cardboard sheets on large items.

Load and Unload Items Movers use equipment like dollies and ramps to load customers' items from their buildings to the moving truck. They arrange items in the truck to fit the load and prevent objects from falling or getting damaged. At the destination, movers take the items off the truck and place them in the location the customer requests.

Take Inventory Keeping track of the customer's items to make sure nothing gets lost or damaged is an important responsibility that movers have. They write down a description of each package or item at the customer's location before starting loading. Movers check this inventory when they reach the destination to ensure they unload all the items.

Handle Customer Requests Movers also answer customers' questions and address requests they have for how they want items packed, loaded, and unloaded. They also provide information about price and time estimates and address any concerns.

Perform Cleaning and Maintenance Tasks Before leaving the customer's loading site, movers clean up any supplies or garbage left behind during the packing process. They also keep their moving trucks clean and may help perform general vehicle maintenance.

Icon

Mover Skills and Qualifications

An attention to detail and knowledge of proper packaging, loading, and unloading processes help movers successfully assist their customers. In addition to preferring candidates with a high school education and driving skills, companies look for movers with the following skill set:
  • Physical ability - lifting, loading, and unloading heavy boxes and items like furniture and pianos require a lot of physical strength and endurance
  • Customer service - movers have a key role in customer service since they need to follow their customers' requests, answer their questions, and sometimes defuse situations with dissatisfied customers
  • Teamwork - movers usually do not work alone and need to interact with a driver and other movers to effectively complete each job assignment
  • Organization skills - they use their organizational skills to plan how to best pack items and arrange them in the moving truck
  • Communication skills - creating inventory reports requires movers to have good writing and verbal communication skills help them keep the moving team and customers informed
Icon

Mover Education and Training

Companies usually prefer to hire high school graduates for mover positions and also require that movers are at least 18 years old and have a valid driver's license. New movers participate in a period of on-the-job training that lasts at least a few days and covers how to use moving equipment, protect items, and work safely. Some movers obtain a commercial driver's license to drive the moving company's trucks. Employers may help workers prepare for the written and road tests, or movers can enroll in a commercial driving education program approved in their state. Movers who want to start their own moving companies can benefit from taking business courses or earning a business degree at a college or university.
Icon

Mover Salary and Outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) groups movers with hand laborers and freight, stock and material movers, and these workers earn a median yearly wage of about $27,000. The 10th percentile of movers make about $19,900, and the highest-earning movers make over $44,000. Customers may also give movers additional tips for their services. While self-employed movers usually do not receive benefits, full-time employees working for moving companies often have access to healthcare, vision, and dental benefits; performance bonuses and raises; advancement opportunities; retirement plan options; and paid vacations and holidays. According to the BLS, movers can expect employment through 2026 to grow at an eight percent rate that is close to the average for all occupations. Turnover in the occupation and the overall good job outlook will lead to good prospects for new movers. Those who possess a commercial driver’s license and moving experience have an advantage.
Icon

Helpful Resources

If working as a mover interests you, review these resources that can help put you on your way.

International Association of Movers - this professional association offers education programs, tips on moving items, groups to network in, and news for all professionals working in moving and logistics roles. It also hosts trade shows and local events for members

How to Start a New Moving Company: A Step by Step Guide on How to Start a New Moving Company - movers interested in becoming entrepreneurs and starting their own moving companies can use this step-by-step guide to learn about planning for the company's opening day, calculating costs, obtaining necessary permits, and marketing the business

American Moving & Storage Association - offering resources for both consumers and professional movers, the AMSA provides information about best practices, instructions for people who want to start their own moving companies, and job information for new movers

CDL Study Guide Book: Test Preparation & Training Manual for the Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Exam - focusing on safe driving practices, vehicle operation, material transportation, and nationwide driving laws, this study guide helps movers prepare for their state's

commercial driving license exam with additional help from practice quizzes

Create your own professional resume in just minutes.

Try our resume builder today

Build Your Resume
create-your-own-professional