Data Sources

The federal data behind every PlainMove estimate, where it comes from, how we use it, and what it does not include.

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)

The BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) program surveys employers to produce employment and wage estimates for over 800 occupations. PlainMove uses data for SOC 53-7062 (Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers), which covers the workers who physically load and unload household goods during a move. The 2023 national median wage for this occupation is $17.88 per hour.

BLS also publishes geographic wage differentials that PlainMove uses for regional adjustments. Workers in the Northeast and West earn higher wages than the national median, while workers in the South and Midwest earn less. These differentials are reflected in PlainMove route estimates.

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics

Carrier records: what PlainMove does not publish

PlainMove does not hold, mirror or publish motor-carrier records. It has no USDOT numbers, operating-authority statuses, safety ratings, insurance filings or complaint histories for any company, and it does not rank or rate individual movers.

Those records are public and authoritative at the source. Look a carrier up yourself at FMCSA SAFER using its USDOT number before you hire: check that the operating authority is active, that household-goods authority is in force, and that insurance is on file. That is the only carrier record worth trusting, and it is free.

Geographic Data

City coordinates for the 50-city route matrix come from US Census Bureau geographic reference files. Distances are calculated using the haversine formula (great-circle distance). Population data comes from Census Bureau estimates.

What We Do Not Use

PlainMove does not use moving company quote data, affiliate marketing data, or lead-generation pricing. Our estimates are entirely derived from public federal data sources. We do not track actual move prices or survey moving companies. This means our estimates reflect labor market fundamentals rather than the commercial moving market, which is influenced by competition, demand, and marketing costs.

PlainMove is independent and not affiliated with BLS, FMCSA, or any moving company. All source data is public domain.

Download the modeled route-cost snapshot: moving-cost-route-statistics.csv (same CSV as our statistics page, CC0).