Median hourly earnings of material moving workers in 2002 were relatively low, as indicated by the following tabulation:
| Gas compressor and gas pumping station operators | $20.44 |
| First-line supervisors/managers of helpers, laborers, and material movers, hand | 17.87 |
| Pump operators, except wellhead pumpers | 17.53 |
| Crane and tower operators | 17.47 |
| Wellhead pumpers | 16.24 |
| Tank car, truck, and ship loaders | 15.63 |
| Excavating and loading machine and dragline operators | 15.58 |
| Hoist and winch operators | 15.09 |
| Industrial truck and tractor operators | 12.54 |
| Conveyor operators and tenders | 11.66 |
| Refuse and recyclable material collectors | 11.60 |
| Machine feeders and offbearers | 10.50 |
| Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand | 9.48 |
| Cleaners of vehicles and equipment | 8.20 |
| Hand packers and packagers | 8.03 |
| All other material moving workers | 12.58 |
Material moving workers are categorized into two groups—operators and laborers. Operators use machinery to move construction materials, earth, petroleum products, and other heavy materials. Generally, they move materials over short distances—around a construction site, factory, or warehouse. Some move materials onto or off of trucks and ships. Operators control equipment by moving levers or foot pedals, operating switches, or turning dials. They may also set up and inspect equipment, make adjustments, and perform minor repairs when needed. Laborers and hand material movers manually handle freight, stock, or other materials; clean vehicles, machinery, and other equipment; feed materials into or remove materials from machines or equipment; and pack or package products and materials.
Material moving occupations are classified by the type of equipment they operate or goods they handle. Each piece of equipment requires different skills to move different types of loads. (For information on operating engineers; paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators; and piledriver operators, see the statement on construction equipment operators elsewhere in the Handbook.)
Industrial truck and tractor operators drive and control industrial trucks or tractors equipped to move materials around a warehouse, storage yard, factory, or construction site. A typical industrial truck, often called a forklift or lift truck, has a hydraulic lifting mechanism and forks. Industrial truck and tractor operators also may operate tractors that pull trailers loaded with materials, goods, or equipment within factories and warehouses, or around outdoor storage areas.
Excavating and loading machine and dragline operators operate or tend machinery equipped with scoops, shovels, or buckets, to dig and load sand, gravel, earth, or similar materials into trucks or onto conveyors. Construction and mining industries employ the majority of excavation and loading machine and dragline operators. Dredge operators excavate and maintain navigable channels in waterways by operating dredges to remove sand, gravel, or other materials from lakes, rivers, or streams. Underground mining loading machine operators operate underground loading machine to load coal, ore, or rock into shuttle or mine car or onto conveyors. Loading equipment may include power shovels, hoisting engines equipped with cable-drawn scraper or scoop, or machines equipped with gathering arms and conveyor.
Crane and tower operators operate mechanical boom and cable or tower and cable equipment to lift and move materials, machinery, or other heavy objects. Most operators coordinate their maneuvers in response to hand signals and radioed instructions. Operators position the loads from the onboard console or from a remote console at the site. While crane and tower operators are noticeable at office building and other construction sites, the biggest group works in primary metal, metal fabrication, and transportation equipment manufacturing industries that use heavy, bulky materials. Hoist and winch operators control movement of cables, cages, and platforms to move workers and materials for manufacturing, logging, and other industrial operations. They work in such positions as derrick operators and hydraulic boom operators. Many hoist and winch operators are found in manufacturing or construction industries.
Pump operators and their helpers tend, control, or operate power-driven pumps and manifold systems that transfer gases, oil, or other materials to vessels or equipment. They maintain the equipment to regulate the flow of materials according to a schedule set up by petroleum engineers and production supervisors. Gas compressor and gas pumping station operators operate steam, gas, electric motor, or internal combustion engine-driven compressors. Wellhead pumpers operate power pumps and auxiliary equipment to produce flow of oil or gas from wells in oilfields.
Tank, car, truck, and ship loaders operate ship loading and unloading equipment, conveyors, hoists, and other specialized material handling equipment such as railroad tank car unloading equipment. They may gauge or sample shipping tanks and test them for leaks. Shuttle car operators operate diesel or electric-powered shuttle car in underground mine to transport materials from working face to mine cars or conveyor. These workers move freight, stock, and other materials to and from storage and production areas, loading docks, delivery vehicles, ships, and containers. They may inspect items for defects, label cartons, stamp information on products, keep records of items packed, and stack packages on loading docks. This group also includes order fillers, who pack materials for shipment, as well as grocery store courtesy clerks. Cleaners of vehicles and equipment clean machinery, vehicles, storage tanks, pipelines, and similar equipment using water and other cleaning agents, vacuums, hoses, brushes, cloths, and other cleaning equipment. Refuse and recyclable material collectors gather trash, garbage, and recyclables from homes and businesses along a regularly scheduled route, and deposit the refuse in their truck for transport to a dump, landfill, or recycling center.
Job openings should be numerous because the occupation is very large and turnover is relatively high—characteristic of occupations requiring little formal training. Many openings will arise from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations, or who retire or leave the labor force for other reasons.
Employment in material moving occupations will increase more slowly than average for all occupations through 2012. Employment growth will stem from an expanding economy and increased spending on the Nation's infrastructure, such as highways and bridges. However, equipment improvements, including the growing automation of material handling in factories and warehouses, will continue to raise productivity and moderate the demand for material movers.
Job growth for material movers largely depends on growth in the industries employing them and the type of equipment the workers operate or the materials they handle. For example, employment of operators in manufacturing will decline due to increased automation and efficiency in the production process. On the other hand, employment will grow rapidly in temporary help organizations as firms contract out material moving services. Employment also will grow in warehousing and storage as more firms contract out their warehousing functions to firms that specialize in them.
Both construction and manufacturing are very sensitive to changes in economic conditions, so the number of job openings in these industries may fluctuate from year to year. Although increasing automation may eliminate some manual tasks, new jobs will be created to operate and maintain material moving equipment.
.Most material moving jobs require little work experience or specific training. Some employers prefer applicants with a high school diploma, but most simply require workers to be at least 18 years old and physically able to perform the work. For those jobs requiring physical exertion, employers may require that applicants pass a physical exam. Some employers also require drug testing or background checks before employment. These workers often are younger than workers in other occupations—reflecting the limited training but significant physical requirements of many of these jobs.
Material movers generally learn skills informally, on the job, from more experienced workers or supervisors. However, workers who use industrial trucks, other dangerous equipment, or handle toxic chemicals must receive specialized training in safety awareness and procedures. Many of the training requirements are standardized through the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). This training usually is provided by the employer. Employers must also certify that each operator has received the training and evaluate each operator at least once every three years.
Material moving equipment operators need a good sense of balance, distance judgment, and eye-hand-foot coordination. For those jobs that involve dealing with the public, such as grocery store courtesy clerks, workers should be pleasant and courteous. Most jobs require reading and basic mathematics skills to read procedures manuals and billing and other documents. Mechanical aptitude and high school training in automobile or diesel mechanics are helpful because workers may perform some maintenance on their equipment. Experience operating mobile equipment, such as tractors on farms or heavy equipment in the Armed Forces, is an asset. As material moving equipment becomes more automated, many workers will need basic computer and technical knowledge to operate the equipment.
Experience in many of these jobs may allow workers to qualify or become trainees for jobs such as construction trades workers; assemblers or other production workers; motor vehicle operators; or vehicle and mobile equipment mechanics, installers, and repairers. In many workplaces, new workers often work in a material moving position before being promoted to a better paying and more highly skilled job. Some may eventually advance to become supervisors.
.Other workers who operate mechanical equipment include bus drivers; construction equipment operators; machine setters, operators, and tenders—metal and plastic; rail transportation workers; and truck drivers and driver/sales workers. Other entry-level workers who perform mostly physical work are agricultural workers; building cleaning workers; construction laborers; forest, conservation, and logging workers; and grounds maintenance workers.
For information about job opportunities and training programs, contact local State employment service offices, building or construction contractors, manufacturers, and wholesale and retail establishments.
Information on safety and training requirements is available from:
Information on industrial truck and tractor operators is available from:
It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem. For example, a drywall installer might benefit from experience installing drywall, but an inexperienced person could still learn to be an installer with little difficulty. Job Training Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. Job Zone Examples These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others.
Summary of: http://online.onetcenter.org/link/summary/45-2091.00
Operators control equipment by moving levers or foot pedals, operating switches, or turning dials. Material moving equipment operators are classified by the type of equipment they operate. Although most work in the mining andconstruction industries, a significant number of grader, dozer, and scraper operators work for state and local governments. Industrial truck and tractor operators drive and control industrial trucks or tractors equipped with lifting devices, such as a forklift or boom, and trailer hitches. Employment Material moving equipment operators held about 1,097,000 jobs in 1996.
Summary of: http://www.umsl.edu/services/govdocs/ooh9899/88.htm
Some move materials on or off trucks and ships. Operators control equipment by moving levers or foot pedals, operating switches, or turning dials. Over 33 percent of all material moving equipment operators worked in transportation, public utilities, wholesale trade or retail trade industries. Both construction and manufacturing are very sensitive to changes in economic conditions, so the number of job openings for operators in these industries may fluctuate from year to year. The middle 50 percent earned between $19,170 and $29,760 a year.
Summary of: http://www.umsl.edu/services/govdocs/ooh20002001/142.htm
Nature of the Work Material moving equipment operators use machinery to move construction materials, earth, petroleum products, and other heavy materials. Over 33 percent of all material moving equipment operators worked in transportation, public utilities, wholesale trade or retail trade industries. Job Outlook Employment of material moving equipment operators will increase slower than the average for all occupations through 2008. Both construction and manufacturing are very sensitive to changes in economic conditions, so the number of job openings for operators in these industries may fluctuate from year to year. The middle 50 percent earned between $19,170 and $29,760 a year.
Summary of: http://guide.symplicity.com/resources/profession_article.php?id=289
Generally they move materials over short distances around a construction site, factory, warehouse, or on or off trucks and ships. Operators control equipment by moving levers or foot pedals, operating switches, or turning dials. Others operate industrial trucks and tractors and similar equipment in manufacturing plants and warehouses. Some operate many kinds of equipment; others only one. Although many work in the construction industry, grader, dozer, and scraper operators also work for State and local governments, mainly in maintenance and repair work.
Summary of: http://www.edonline.com/collegecompass/oohb0262.htm
Most jobs require little work experience or specific training. Operators use machinery to move construction materials, earth, petroleum products, and other heavy materials. Operators control equipment by moving levers or foot pedals, operating switches, or turning dials. Material moving occupations are classified by the type of equipment they operate or goods they handle. Hoist and winch operators control movement of cables, cages, and platforms to move workers and materials for manufacturing, logging, and other industrial operations.
Summary of: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos243.htm
Each machine moves different types of loads in various ways. Operators usually move materials over short distances. Before starting, operators direct other workers to move stakes or place blocks or cables. They like to be treated fairly and have supervisors who will back them up. To find current job openings in Minnesota for this job title, enter a zip code and click "show jobs".
Summary of: http://www.iseek.org/sv/13000.jsp?id=100371
They move levers and turn wheels to operate the vehicle and control attachments. Operators also observe the surface of the concrete to point out low spots where workers should add more concrete. Formal EducationSome paving equipment operators go through apprenticeship training. You can prepare for an apprenticeship by taking courses at a professional technical school or two-year college. To find current job openings in Minnesota for this job title, enter a zip code and click "show jobs".
Summary of: http://www.iseek.org/sv/13000.jsp?id=100403
For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. Job Training Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. Job Zone Examples These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Some may require a bachelor's degree. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Summary of: http://online.onetcenter.org/link/summary/51-4191.01
Operators control equipment by moving levers or foot pedals, operating switches, or turning dials. Material moving equipment operators usually are classified by the type of machines they operate. Some operate many kinds of equipment; others only one. Although some cranes are used on construction sites, most are used in manufacturing and other industries. Although many work in the construction industry, grader, dozer, and scraper operators also work for State and local governments, mainly in maintenance and repair work.
Summary of: http://www2.jobtrak.com/help_manuals/outlook/ocos243.html