Movers' Hourly Rates in 2026
By the Moving Company Estimate data team · Last updated September 5, 2026 · Methodology
Short answer: in 2026, full-service movers charge about $62 per mover per hour including the truck, so a 2-mover crew runs $124/hour, three movers $186/hour, and four $248/hour, typically with a 2–4 hour minimum plus travel time. Labor-only crews (you supply the truck) are cheaper at $80–$120/hour for two movers.
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Full-service hourly rates by crew size
These are 2026 blended national figures from our rate model. Where you live matters: metros with deep mover competition like Dallas sit near the low column, while tight-labor, hard-access markets like Miami and Denver sit at or above the high column.
| Crew | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 movers + truck | $118 | $124 | $134 |
| 3 movers + truck | $177 | $186 | $201 |
| 4 movers + truck | $236 | $248 | $268 |
What those hours add up to
Hourly rates only matter multiplied by hours. Here's the same math as our calculator uses for a local move, crew size and typical hours by home size:
| Home size | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio, 2 movers × ~3 hrs | $325 | $400 | $500 |
| 1 Bedroom, 2 movers × ~4 hrs | $450 | $550 | $675 |
| 2 Bedroom, 3 movers × ~5.5 hrs | $875 | $1,075 | $1,300 |
| 3 Bedroom, 3 movers × ~7.5 hrs | $1,200 | $1,475 | $1,800 |
| 4 Bedroom, 4 movers × ~9 hrs | $1,925 | $2,350 | $2,875 |
| 5+ Bedroom, 4 movers × ~11 hrs | $2,350 | $2,875 | $3,500 |
These are blended national figures for the work itself, not any particular company's price list. Franchise and van-line brands set rates location by location, which is why an hourly number quoted for one of them is only ever true in one market, how the major moving companies set their rates explains what each one actually prices on.
Labor-only crews: the budget option
Labor-only movers load and unload but bring no truck, you pair them with a rental truck (roughly $40–$100/day plus ~$1/mile one-way) or a moving container. Market rates run meaningfully below full-service:
| Crew | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 movers (labor only) | $80 | $100 | $120 |
| 3 movers (labor only) | $120 | $150 | $180 |
| 4 movers (labor only) | $160 | $200 | $240 |
The catch: labor-only crews carry minimal cargo liability, and you're the driver. For a 1-bedroom across town, two loaders for 2 hours (~$200) plus a $60 truck day beats the $500full-service typical, if you're comfortable driving a 15-foot box truck.
Reading an hourly quote like a pro
- Ask how travel is billed.Flat trip fee vs "double drive time" can differ by $100+ on the same job.
- Confirm the minimum. A 4-hour minimum on a 2-hour studio job doubles your effective rate.
- Check what stops the clock. Reputable companies bill to the quarter-hour and stop at the final walkthrough, get it in writing.
- Beware sub-market rates. A crew quoting $89/hour for two movers in a $124 market usually makes it back in fees, slow-rolling, or worse. Verify licensing and reviews first.
For the bigger picture, hourly local pricing vs weight-based interstate pricing, start with the average cost of movers or the local moving cost guide.
Two sample bills, itemized
1-bedroom, full-service, national-average metro: 2 movers × 4 hours at $124/hr = $496, plus ~45 minutes of billed travel ($93) and a $40 tip per mover, about $670 out the door. Same move, labor-only: 2 loaders × 2 hours on each end ($400 at $100/hr), a $60 truck day plus $30 fuel, about $490, with you driving. The full-service premium here is roughly $180: what it costs to not think about the truck, the route, or the loading strategy. Run the same comparison at 3-bedroom scale and the premium grows, but so does the value of a crew that loads 9,000 lbs without a doorway casualty.
Turn rates into your real number
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Answer six quick questions, your price range appears instantly, before any contact form.
- No email required to see your price
- Licensed & insured movers only
- Your estimate is yours to keep either way
Prefer to talk? Call (561) 220-0117, free, no obligation.
FAQ
Our 2026 planning model uses $62 per mover per hour with the truck included: $124/hour for 2 movers, $186/hour for 3, $248/hour for 4. Labor-only crews (no truck) run $40–$60 per mover per hour.
Almost universally, yes, most full-service companies bill a 2–4 hour minimum plus travel time, so even a tiny job usually starts around $370–$500 with a 2-mover crew. Labor-only services typically carry a 2-hour minimum.
For full-service crews: labor, the truck, fuel within the local area, dollies and pads, shrink wrap, basic disassembly/reassembly, and released-value liability coverage (60¢/lb). Boxes, packing labor, storage, and full-value protection cost extra.
If you're driving your own rental truck or loading a container, absolutely, two loaders at $80–$120/hour for 2–3 hours is the cheapest way to protect your back and your furniture. You give up the pro truck, driving, and most liability coverage.
More moving cost guides
A worked local quote: separate crew time from extras
This illustrative model run uses a two-bedroom home and 15 miles, with no date adjustment. The home-size preset assumes 5,500 pounds; it is not a measured shipment. Only packing and storage change between these rows.
The model includes 3 movers for approximately 5.5 hours, producing a $1,023 handling allowance before transport and extras. Ask your mover how minimum hours, travel time, and billing increments affect its written quote; this model does not establish those terms.
| Scenario | Planning range | Model midpoint |
|---|---|---|
| Transport and handling | $875–$1,300 | $1,075 |
| With model packing allowance | $1,400–$2,075 | $1,700 |
| With packing and first-month storage | $1,575–$2,350 | $1,925 |
Show the model inputs behind the final row
- Loading & unloading: 3-mover crew, ~5.5 hrs at $62/mover/hr (+$1,023)
- Transport: ~15 mi at tiered carrier mileage rates (+$60)
- Full packing service +$620
- Storage, first month +$220
The calculator rounds the midpoint and range endpoints separately. These allowances are model inputs, not a carrier tariff, a surveyed average, or a binding estimate.
Build the inventory your estimator cannot see
Go room by room and record furniture, packed boxes, fragile items, and what stays behind. List garage and storage-unit contents separately. Give each carrier the same version and keep a dated copy when items change.
- Record stairs, elevator reservations, parking distance, and loading restrictions at both addresses.
- Identify items needing special handling and who supplies packing materials.
- Ask for access charges, storage, redelivery, and exclusions to be itemized. The model above does not individually price those conditions.
FMCSA recommends comparing written mover estimates. Use this worked example to ask better scope questions, then read our calculation methodology and how estimate types differ.
Example updated September 5, 2026 · Moving Company Estimate data team