Posted By 
By Volodymyr Kupriyanov
Special to Financial Independence Hub
When we released our last study of starting a moving labor company as a side hustle, it was a great time to get into the business. Home sales were at an all-time high, and the number of Americans who moved that year inched up for the first time in a decade.
However, after only one year, the housing market has cooled off. And even though sales of newly built homes are still up 6%, home sales as a whole aren’t as high as last year.
The cost of moving has also grown 4% in 2023 (ahead of inflation rates), and this is actually good news! It means movers’ earnings have most likely also increased. So if you’re interested in adding a side hustle to your income, starting a moving labor company is well worth considering.
Findings from 2023 Study on Moving Labor
- In 2023, a typical moving company earns between US$90 and $150 per hour on average, or from $244 to $407 per move
- Mover earnings in 2023 are highest in Birmingham, AL where average hourly earnings on a labor-only move reached $146
- The state with the greatest demand is Mississippi, with 434 moves per moving company registered in the state
What is a Moving Labor Company, and can it work as a Side Hustle?
You can start a side hustle as a full-service mover. These are the huge van line companies, and they tend to offer the whole service package and charge significantly more. Moving labor companies are often responsible for loading, unloading, and, sometimes (though rarely), packing up people’s possessions.
Why is labor-only so profitable?
Here are a few more reasons why moving labor is a good choice for a side hustle:
- You don’t require a special mover’s license in most states
- No need to invest in your own truck or spend money on gas
- With almost half (48%) of all moves taking place on the weekend, you can keep this side hustle alongside your main job or your studies
Fast Facts about Moving Company Earnings in 2023
Here are some estimates on moving marketplace earnings:
How much revenue do movers make per hour?
In 2023, the average amount a moving labor company earned on HireAHelper is $113 per hour (after fees). That rate is based on the service of two movers loading and unloading a customer’s belongings and does not include potential tips.
According to Forbes, local movers usually charge between $50 to $250 per hour in 2023.
Cities & States where Movers earn the most
As is the case with almost any product or service, the price people are willing to pay for moving services varies depending on where in the country you are. Check out the map below:
Movers wanted: Locations with greatest demand for Moving Services
It’s good to keep your eye on earnings, but you should also remember how supply and demand of moving services will impact your future jobs. Demand where you live will determine how much you can charge for services and how easily you can grab a share of the market.
Among metropolitan areas, Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood, TX stands out as having by far the highest number of moves per registered moving company — 392.
Looking at the size of opportunity in the moving services market at the state level, Mississippi (434) and Kansas (431) are clear winners with over 430 moves per moving company registered in each state.
Some Practical Steps to get Moving
If you think you have what it takes to help people move, we have some resources for you.
Here’s a guide for starting up your own local moving labor company. Within, you’ll find all you need to know about how to register a business, pricing your services, finding customers, tools you need for your new side hustle job, and a lot more.
Read the full article here: https://blog.hireahelper.com/2023-study-where-and-how-to-earn-the-most-from-a-moving-labor-side-hustle/
Volodymyr Kupriyanov (AKA “VK”) is a data journalist based in Copenhagen, Denmark. He specializes in data-driven storytelling, leveraging data to create compelling, insightful stories. His stories for HireAHelper have been featured in hundreds of publications, including on Business Insider, The New York Times and Bloomberg. When not visualizing and analyzing numbers, he enjoys rock climbing, playing frisbee with his dog, and discovering new places to eat.
