How much do movers cost per hour?
What labor-only moving help and full-service movers charge per hour, typical minimums, how long jobs take, and the fees that change the total. Every figure is sourced.
Updated October 13, 2026
Your cost depends most on who supplies the truck. With labor-only help, you rent the truck or container and drive it. You pay only for help with loading and unloading. Full-service movers bring the truck and charge for the truck, the drive and the labor.
Below is what published sources say right now. Prices vary by city, season and company, so treat these as ranges to check quotes against, not as GoodHands prices. GoodHands hasn't published its rates yet.
Labor-only moving help: hourly rates
| Source (date) | What they report |
|---|---|
| Moving Help, U-Haul's marketplace (Jan 2025) | About $135 per hour on average for two helpers in the US, with a 2-hour minimum |
| Bellhop (Apr 2026) | $40–$80 per mover per hour; about $140 per hour on average for a small crew, with a range of $80–$210; 2–4 hour minimums at most companies |
| iMoving (Jun 2026) | $60–$100 per mover per hour; a 2-person crew at $120–$200 per hour; 2–3 hour minimum |
| moveBuddha (Aug 2026) | 2-person crew averages of $87–$110 per hour in the cities it lists |
| HireAHelper, Denver listings (Oct 2026) | Listings around $100–$200 per hour for 2 movers, usually with a 2-hour minimum |
Rates run higher on weekends and in peak season. Bellhop puts the premium at 10–30%.
Full-service movers, for comparison
| Source (date) | What they report |
|---|---|
| Bellhop (Jun 2026) | 2 movers + truck $120–$180 per hour; 3 movers + truck $170–$250 per hour |
| iMoving (Jun 2026) | Often $150–$250+ per hour, or quote-based |
| Bankrate, citing HomeAdvisor (Mar 2026) | A local move with two movers and a truck: $883–$2,556 total, about $1,711 on average |
HireAHelper's Denver page shows the gap at the job level: an average labor-only job of about $461 against about $1,192 for a local full-service move (both in Denver, from the companies' own booking data).
How long does the job take?
- HireAHelper's Denver labor-only jobs: about 2.2 hours for a 1-bedroom apartment up to about 3.7 hours for a 5-bedroom house. These usually cover just the load or just the unload.
- Bellhop's planning ranges for labor-only work: 2–3 hours for a studio, up to 5–8 hours for 3 or more bedrooms.
- Moving Help: a standard move takes 2 to 8 hours.
Loading and unloading at two addresses are two jobs, so budget time for each. See how much help to book for what changes the hours.
Fees that change the total
- Travel or trip fees. Some companies charge for drive time to your address. Moving.com describes a typical local travel fee as about one hour's work.
- Stairs and long carries. Several companies (Bellhop, iMoving, moveBuddha) list extra charges for multiple flights or long walks to the truck.
- Specialty items. Pianos, safes, gym equipment and large appliances often cost extra or need a specialist.
- Packing and materials. Packing help and supplies are usually separate from loading.
- Going over the booked time. Time beyond the booking is typically added to the bill.
Tipping
Sources disagree. Moving Help suggests $5–$10 per mover per hour, or 15–20% of the bill. Bob Vila suggests 10–20%. Moving.com suggests about 5%.
How to keep labor-only costs down
- Finish packing before the crew arrives. Loose items are the biggest time sink.
- Park the truck or container as close to the door as you're allowed.
- Reserve the elevator or loading dock.
- Take apart bed frames and tables in advance.
- Book weekdays outside peak season if you can.
Sources
- Moving Help (U-Haul), How Much Does Hourly Moving Labor Cost?, Jan 2025.
- Bellhop, How Much Does Labor-Only Moving Cost?, Apr 2026; Average Hourly Rates for Professional Movers, Jun 2026.
- iMoving, Moving Labor Cost: Hourly Rates, Crew Size & What Affects Price, updated Jun 2026.
- moveBuddha, Can I Hire Movers Just To Load a Truck?, updated Aug 2026.
- HireAHelper, Top Local Movers in Denver, CO, checked Oct 2026.
- Bankrate, How Much Does It Cost To Move?, updated Mar 2026.
- Moving.com, How Much Does a Moving Company Cost?, 2023.
- Bob Vila, How Much Do Movers Cost?, 2023.
- Moving Help (U-Haul), How Much to Tip Movers, Jun 2026.
Most of these sources sell or broker moving services. All were checked on October 13, 2026.