Moving Company Driver Jobs
Moving company drivers transport household goods and commercial furniture for local and long-distance relocations. Unlike standard freight hauling, this role involves direct customer interaction, furniture handling, and the careful loading of high-value personal belongings. Non-CDL movers handle local moves in box trucks under 26,000 lbs GVWR, while long-distance moves across state lines typically require a CDL.
Average Pay
$30,000 - $58,000
Physical Demand
High
Entry Barrier
Low
Home Time
Home daily (local), 1-3 weeks out (long-distance)
A Day in the Life
A local moving crew typically meets at the warehouse by 7:00 AM to load the truck with pads, dollies, straps, and packing materials. You review the job sheet — today's move is a 3-bedroom house going across town. The crew of 2-4 arrives at the customer's home by 8:00 AM, walks through the house with the customer, and identifies anything requiring special handling: a grand piano, antique dresser, or 75-inch TV.
The morning is spent wrapping furniture in moving blankets, disassembling bed frames, and carefully loading the truck in a precise order (heavy items against the walls, lighter boxes stacked in the middle). A well-loaded 26-foot truck can hold an entire 3-bedroom house. Every piece gets padded and strapped to prevent shifting. By noon, you are driving to the new location.
The afternoon mirrors the morning in reverse — unloading, placing furniture exactly where the customer wants it, reassembling beds and tables, and hauling empty boxes to the recycling bin. A good crew finishes a local move by 3:00-5:00 PM. Tips from satisfied customers can add $20-$100+ per mover per job. During peak season (May through September), you might run 6 days a week with back-to-back jobs.
Requirements & Certifications
Requirements
- Valid driver's license (non-CDL for trucks under 26,001 lbs GVWR)
- Ability to carry heavy furniture and appliances (75-100+ lbs with a partner)
- Customer service skills — you are in people's homes all day
- Knowledge of furniture padding, wrapping, and safe loading techniques
- Clean driving record and ability to navigate residential neighborhoods with large trucks
Certifications
- DOT Medical Card (required for vehicles over 10,001 lbs in commercial operation)
- ProMover Certification (through American Trucking Associations' Moving & Storage Conference)
Pros & Cons
Pros
- No CDL needed for local moves in trucks under 26,001 lbs
- Tips from customers can add $5,000-$15,000+ to annual income
- Peak summer season offers abundant overtime hours
- Relatively low barrier to starting your own moving company
Cons
- Extremely physical work — one of the most demanding jobs in the industry
- Seasonal demand creates income inconsistency (slow November through March)
- Risk of injury from heavy lifting, stairs, and tight spaces
Career Path
New movers start as helpers or laborers on a crew, learning proper packing, loading, and customer interaction techniques. After 6-12 months, you advance to driver/team lead, taking responsibility for the truck and crew management. Experienced lead drivers can earn $50,000-$70,000 with tips and overtime. The long-term path leads to estimator, branch operations manager, or starting your own local moving company, which can be launched with a single truck for $15,000-$30,000.
Top Companies Hiring Moving Company Drivers
Two Men and a Truck
College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving
U-Pack / ABF Freight
PODS (labor partners)
Bellhop
Top States for Moving Company Driver Jobs
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a CDL to drive a moving truck?
For local moves, no. Most local moving companies use 16-foot to 26-foot box trucks that weigh under 26,001 lbs GVWR, which only require a standard driver's license. However, long-distance (interstate) moves often use larger trucks or tractor-trailers that exceed 26,001 lbs, requiring a CDL-A or CDL-B. If you want to stick to non-CDL work, focus on local moving companies.
How much do movers make in tips?
Industry data and mover surveys suggest that tipping ranges from $20-$50 per mover for local moves and $50-$100+ per mover for long-distance or complex moves. On a busy summer Saturday, a crew of 3 doing 2 local jobs might each take home $40-$100 in tips on top of their hourly wage. Tips are not guaranteed but are customary in the moving industry, especially when crews are careful, fast, and friendly.
When is peak season for moving companies?
Peak moving season runs from May through September, with the busiest weeks falling between Memorial Day and Labor Day. During this period, moving companies often run 6-7 days per week and offer significant overtime. Roughly 60-70% of all household moves happen during these months because of school schedules, weather, and lease cycles. Winter months are considerably slower, and some movers supplement income with other work during the off-season.