Occupation · SOC 53-7199
Material Moving Workers, All Other
All material moving workers not listed separately.
Median wage
$41,690
$33,280–$64,850
Projected growth
+4.3%
Average growth
Annual openings
120
per year
Employed (US)
25,190
Job Zone —
Core skills
Active ListeningMonitoringSpeakingOperations MonitoringCritical ThinkingOperation and ControlReading ComprehensionJudgment and Decision Making
Knowledge areas
English LanguagePublic Safety and SecurityTransportationCustomer and Personal ServiceMechanical
Technology & tools
Web page creation and editing softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareElectronic mail softwareWord processing software
Representative tasks
Determine the quantity and orientation of cargo, and compute an aircraft's center of gravity.Direct ground crews in the loading, unloading, securing, or staging of aircraft cargo or baggage.Train new employees in areas such as safety procedures or equipment operation.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Cargo weight and quantity data — record and verify under direct supervisor guidance at an airport freight staging area.Loading protocols and safety procedures — follow step-by-step instructions when assisting ground crews with aircraft baggage handling.Basic cargo distribution principles — recognize how placement affects aircraft balance during supervised orientation training.Standard equipment operation checklists — complete under direct oversight before operating belt loaders or cargo dollies.Workplace safety rules and personal protective equipment — apply consistently during initial on-the-job training in a material moving environment.Verbal instructions from supervisors and crew leads — listen actively and confirm understanding before executing cargo staging tasks.Spreadsheet software for cargo manifests — enter basic load data under guidance using office suite tools on a workstation.English-language shipping documents and cargo labels — read and interpret with supervisor assistance to verify freight information.Near-vision inspection of cargo tags and markings — perform to identify item orientation and handling requirements on the ramp.Ground-level hazard conditions — monitor and report to a supervisor during aircraft loading and unloading operations.
developing
Aircraft center-of-gravity calculations — perform using established formulas and cargo data with minimal oversight at a regional cargo facility.Cargo distribution plans — develop and adjust to maximize space utilization across standard aircraft configurations in routine operations.Ground crew loading and unloading activities — coordinate and direct during scheduled flights using standard staging sequences.Operations monitoring protocols — apply to track cargo movement and identify deviations from load plans on an active ramp.Electronic mail and database software — use routinely to communicate load information and update cargo records in a dispatch environment.Critical thinking skills — apply to resolve common cargo discrepancies such as weight mismatches or missing documentation during a shift.Customer and personal service standards — maintain when interfacing with airline representatives regarding baggage and freight concerns.New employee safety orientation content — assist in delivering under the guidance of a senior trainer in a material moving setting.Transportation regulations relevant to cargo handling — reference and apply to ensure compliant loading practices on domestic routes.Oral communication — convey load status updates and procedural changes clearly to ground crew members during time-sensitive operations.
proficient
Aircraft center-of-gravity determinations — compute independently and verify accuracy using weight-and-balance software across multiple aircraft types.Non-routine cargo loading scenarios — assess and resolve autonomously, including oversized freight and uneven weight distributions on a commercial ramp.Full ground crew operations — direct across loading, unloading, securing, and staging phases for complex or high-volume flight schedules.Judgment and decision-making — exercise independently when prioritizing cargo during weather delays or operational disruptions at a busy freight hub.Load plan optimization — design to maximize aircraft capacity while meeting safety and balance requirements across diverse cargo types.Public safety and security protocols — enforce rigorously and escalate violations appropriately during cargo acceptance and aircraft preparation.Word processing and spreadsheet tools — use proficiently to produce load plans, shift reports, and compliance documentation without assistance.Employee performance in material moving tasks — monitor continuously and provide on-the-spot corrective feedback during ramp operations.Mechanical equipment issues — identify through operations monitoring and coordinate maintenance response to minimize impact on loading schedules.Training sessions for new material moving workers — design and deliver covering safety procedures, equipment operation, and load calculation methods.
advanced
Organizational cargo handling standards and center-of-gravity policies — establish and update to reflect regulatory changes and operational best practices across a multi-site operation.Strategic cargo distribution systems — design and implement to improve space utilization, fuel efficiency, and turnaround times at an enterprise level.Ground operations training programs — develop and oversee for new and experienced employees, incorporating adult-learning principles and competency assessment.Cross-functional teams of ground crew supervisors and logistics coordinators — lead during large-scale freight operations or emergency response scenarios.Administration and management frameworks for material moving departments — apply to allocate staffing, equipment, and resources aligned with organizational goals.Technology adoption decisions — evaluate and direct the implementation of cargo management database and office suite software solutions across ramp operations.Safety culture and regulatory compliance — champion organization-wide by setting behavioral standards, conducting audits, and liaising with aviation authorities.Critical performance metrics for material moving operations — analyze using data and reporting tools to identify systemic inefficiencies and drive continuous improvement.Senior and mid-level material moving supervisors — mentor and develop through structured feedback, stretch assignments, and formal coaching frameworks.Transportation and logistics policy at the organizational level — influence by synthesizing operational intelligence, workforce expertise, and regulatory guidance into executive recommendations.
Also known as
195 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
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