Fair price check · Washington

What movers should charge in Washington.

Fair billed labor here runs about $39–$62/hour, about 14% above the median US state. Every number below comes from what movers and freight laborers actually earn in Washington; the math is on this page, in the open.

How much should movers charge in Washington?

In Washington, movers and freight laborers earn $19.38–$24.63 per hour (median $22.21, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025), about 14% above the median US state for this trade. A legitimate business bills 2–2.5× wages to cover payroll taxes, insurance, equipment, overhead and profit, so fair billed labor in Washington runs about $39–$62 per hour. For example, local move, 1-bedroom is about $155–$500 in fair labor, before materials.

Fair price by job

Local move, 1-bedroom

$155$500
fair labor range · Washington

That assumes two movers and a truck, ground-floor to ground-floor, in-town.

Plus materials: truck fee and materials (boxes, wrap) usually appear as separate lines.

Typical labor: 4–8 hours at $39–$62/hr billed.

Local move, 3-bedroom

$475$1,500
fair labor range · Washington

That assumes three movers most of a day; stairs, elevators and long carries add hours.

Typical labor: 12–24 hours at $39–$62/hr billed.

The math, in the open: movers and freight laborers in Washington earn $19.38–$24.63/hour (median $22.21) per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. A legitimate business bills 2–2.5× wages to cover payroll taxes, insurance, equipment, overhead and profit, which puts fair billed labor at $39–$62/hour. Each job range above multiplies that rate by typical labor-hours. A quote far above the range needs a specific reason: access, condition, materials grade, season. Ask for it. This is an educational estimate, not a quote.

Before you hire in Washington

Contractors register with L&I; the "Verify" tool shows bond, insurance and lawsuits against the bond. One of the best lookup tools in the country — use it.

How to verify a Washington license · how to get comparable bids · track your quotes side by side (free, no account).

Compare movers rates across all states · all fair price checks