People move for jobs, family, downsizing and new homes, and many hire help. The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted about 6.95 million hand laborers and material movers across all industries in 2024, with a median wage of $37,680 in May 2024, and projects 4% growth from 2024 to 2034.
Moving businesses range from labor-only crews that load customers’ rental trucks to full-service local movers with trucks and storage. Reviews, careful crews and clear pricing decide who wins jobs in a market where customers fear damage and surprise fees.
The workforce
| Occupation | Jobs (2024) | Median pay (May 2024) | Projected growth, 2024 to 2034 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hand laborers and material movers (all) | about 7.0 million | $37,680 | +4% |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Business models compared
The figures below are illustrative months from our step-by-step guides, not industry averages. They show how revenue and costs typically fit together; your market, prices and costs will differ.
| Business model | Startup costs | Example monthly revenue | Costs | Profit before owner pay | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local moving company (2 trucks) | Moderate to high: trucks, equipment, insurance, licensing | $48,000 | $36,300 | $11,700 | 24% |
| Labor-only moving help | Low: dollies, pads, straps, insurance | $14,000 | $7,900 | $6,100 | 44% |
| Junk removal add-on | Low to moderate: truck or trailer, disposal accounts | $12,000 | $6,800 | $5,200 | 43% |
Fixed and variable costs
For projections, the most useful split is between variable costs, which rise and fall with sales (materials, parts, hourly labor), and fixed costs, which you pay every month regardless (rent, salaried staff, insurance, loan payments).
| Business model | Variable costs (% of revenue) | Fixed costs per month | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local moving company (2 trucks) | 50.0% | $12,300 | Mostly variable: profitable early, but watch cash flow |
| Labor-only moving help | 40.0% | $2,300 | Mostly variable: profitable early, but watch cash flow |
| Junk removal add-on | 43.3% | $1,600 | Mostly variable: profitable early, but watch cash flow |
What the numbers say
Labor is the biggest cost. Crew wages and workers’ comp take a large share of revenue, so efficient crews and accurate estimates matter.
Trucks add fixed costs. Payments, insurance and maintenance need steady bookings.
Add-on services raise revenue. Packing, junk removal and storage increase each job’s value.
The three models in brief
Local moving company. Trucks, crews and full-service local moves.
Labor-only moving help. Loading and unloading customers’ rental trucks or containers; low startup costs.
Junk removal add-on. Hauling unwanted items during moves, plus standalone cleanouts.
Cost structure: local moving company (2 trucks)
Each cost as a share of the example month’s revenue ($48,000):
| Cost | Monthly amount | Share of revenue | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crew wages | $16,800 | 35.0% | Variable |
| Truck payments | $3,600 | 7.5% | Fixed |
| Marketing | $3,500 | 7.3% | Fixed |
| Payroll taxes and workers’ comp | $3,400 | 7.1% | Variable |
| Office and booking | $3,000 | 6.2% | Fixed |
| Fuel | $2,600 | 5.4% | Variable |
| Insurance | $2,200 | 4.6% | Fixed |
| Supplies | $1,200 | 2.5% | Variable |
| Profit before owner pay | $11,700 | 24% |
A first-year projection: local moving company (2 trucks)
New businesses rarely start at full speed. This projection assumes revenue ramps from 35% of the example month in month 1 to 100% by month 12, variable costs move with revenue, and fixed costs stay the same every month. It’s a planning illustration, not a forecast.
| Month | Revenue | Variable costs | Fixed costs | Profit | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $16,800 | $8,400 | $12,300 | -$3,900 | -$3,900 |
| 2 | $21,600 | $10,800 | $12,300 | -$1,500 | -$5,400 |
| 3 | $26,400 | $13,200 | $12,300 | $900 | -$4,500 |
| 4 | $29,760 | $14,880 | $12,300 | $2,580 | -$1,920 |
| 5 | $33,600 | $16,800 | $12,300 | $4,500 | $2,580 |
| 6 | $36,480 | $18,240 | $12,300 | $5,940 | $8,520 |
| 7 | $39,360 | $19,680 | $12,300 | $7,380 | $15,900 |
| 8 | $41,760 | $20,880 | $12,300 | $8,580 | $24,480 |
| 9 | $43,680 | $21,840 | $12,300 | $9,540 | $34,020 |
| 10 | $45,600 | $22,800 | $12,300 | $10,500 | $44,520 |
| 11 | $47,040 | $23,520 | $12,300 | $11,220 | $55,740 |
| 12 | $48,000 | $24,000 | $12,300 | $11,700 | $67,440 |
Year one: revenue $430,080, profit before owner pay $67,440. The first profitable month is month 3. Cumulative results bottom out at -$5,400, which is the minimum cash cushion this plan would need, before any startup costs.
Truck payments, insurance and office costs come first, so this illustration turns profitable in month 3, with a cumulative low of about $5,400. Moving is seasonal; summer months often carry the year.
How movers price
- Hourly rates per crew size, with minimums, for local moves.
- Flat-rate quotes after a walkthrough or video survey.
- Packing, materials and specialty items priced separately.
- Interstate moves priced by weight or volume and distance, following federal rules.
A startup checklist
- Check state licensing for local moves; interstate household goods movers need a USDOT number and MC authority.
- Arrange insurance and explain valuation coverage clearly to customers.
- Buy equipment: dollies, pads, straps, tools and, eventually, trucks.
- Train crews on lifting safety and protecting homes.
- Build your local presence: see local SEO for contractors.
Where the opportunities are
- Senior moves and downsizing.
- Apartment and student moves.
- Office and small business moves.
- Packing and unpacking services.
Key terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Valuation coverage | The mover’s liability level for lost or damaged items |
| Binding estimate | A quote that won’t change if the inventory stays the same |
| Labor-only move | Crews load or unload; the customer provides the truck |
| Long carry | Extra distance between truck and door, often priced separately |
Reviews are everything
Customers fear damage, delays and surprise charges. Clear written estimates, careful crews and fast responses to issues earn the reviews that bring the next job.
Marketing a moving company
Reviews, local search, real estate agent and apartment complex partnerships, and senior living communities bring steady bookings. See how to get more contractor leads.
Plan for seasonality
Summer and month-ends are busiest. Hire and train before peak season, and fill slower months with junk removal, storage and commercial work.
How to use these numbers for your own plan
- Start with the closest model above and its cost structure.
- Replace every price and cost with local quotes: insurance, wages, vehicles, materials and your expected prices.
- Estimate your ramp: how many jobs you can realistically win each month in year one.
- Separate fixed and variable costs, then calculate your break-even point with our free break-even calculator.
- Map cash month by month with our cash flow forecast, including equipment and loan payments.
- Build the plan in our free Business Planner.
These figures will also feed a planned Advanton projection tool, so you’ll be able to start from an industry template and adjust it to your situation.
About this data
Workforce figures come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (Occupational Outlook Handbook and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 and the 2024 to 2034 projections). Market figures cite their sources in the list above. Business model figures are illustrative months built from typical prices and costs to show how revenue, fixed costs and variable costs fit together; they are not industry averages or guarantees. We review these profiles when new government data is released, at least once a year. The same figures are available in a structured format for Advanton’s upcoming business projection tool.
Licensing and rules
Interstate household goods movers need a USDOT number, MC authority and must follow federal consumer protection rules; many states license intrastate movers; insurance and valuation coverage disclosures; commercial driver rules for larger trucks. Requirements change; confirm with your state and local agencies before you start.
Frequently asked questions
What do movers earn?
BLS reports a median of $37,680 for hand laborers and material movers (May 2024).
Do moving companies need a license?
Interstate household goods movers need federal registration; many states license local movers.
What’s the cheapest way to start a moving business?
Labor-only moving help needs only equipment, insurance and reliable crews.
How can I use these numbers?
Start with the closest moving model, then replace every figure with your local prices, wages and expected volume.
Keep learning
- Local moving company
- Local SEO for contractors
- How to get more contractor leads
- Specialty trades industry data
Sources
Last reviewed October 30, 2026. Startup costs are estimates; check local prices, licensing and tax rules before you commit money.
