Short answer: The common US guideline is $4 to $5 per mover per hour, or $20 to $50 each for a half-day or full-day local move. With no cash on you, the options are: ask each mover for a payment handle or code, send it to the foreman to split, add it to the invoice, or plan a cash machine stop.
How much to tip movers
| Situation | Usual tip |
|---|---|
| Two movers, three hours | $12 to $15 each |
| Full-day local move | $40 to $50 each |
| Long-distance move | $50 to $100 each, tipping the loading and unloading crews separately |
| Stairs, a piano or bad weather | Go to the top of the range |
These are customary amounts in the United States, in US dollars. They are a guide, not a rule: tip more for exceptional service.
Do you have to tip movers?
It is not built into the price, and it is customary for careful, quick work. Tip per person, not per job, so the amount does not depend on how the foreman divides it.
Can you tip movers by card?
Some moving companies can add a gratuity to the final card payment, but it then reaches the crew through payroll, later and taxed. That is why crews prefer to be tipped directly on the day.
4 ways to tip movers without cash
- Ask each mover for a payment handle or code. Crews are used to this. Many have Venmo, Zelle or Cash App, and some carry a QR code.
- Send it to the foreman to split. Do this only if you say the per-person amount out loud in front of the crew.
- Add it to the invoice. Ask the office in writing to pay it to the crew in full, and name the crew members.
- Plan a cash machine stop. Movers are long gone before you find one afterwards, so do it the day before.
What a tip QR code does
If movers shows you a QR code, point your phone camera at it. A payment page opens in your browser, you choose an amount, and you pay with Apple Pay, Google Pay or a card. You do not install anything or create an account, and it works with cards from other countries.
If you cannot tip on the day
Call the office the same day, give the crew names and ask to add a gratuity by card. Cold drinks and lunch on the day are welcome, and they do not replace a tip.
Outside the United States
In the UK ten to twenty pounds per person and tea all day is typical. In Australia a tip for removalists is optional: cold drinks, lunch and a case of beer are the tradition.
Do you work as a mover?
Your tips are the largest of any job on this list and the least convenient to give. A customer who has just paid a moving bill and has every possession in boxes is not going to find $150 in cash.
See how movers take card tips with a QR code: where to put it, what to write on the sign and how to mention it.
Common questions
How much should I tip movers?
The common US guideline is $4 to $5 per mover per hour, or $20 to $50 each for a half-day or full-day local move.
Do I have to tip movers?
It is not built into the price, and it is customary for careful, quick work. Tip per person, not per job, so the amount does not depend on how the foreman divides it.
Can I tip movers with a card or Apple Pay?
Some moving companies can add a gratuity to the final card payment, but it then reaches the crew through payroll, later and taxed. That is why crews prefer to be tipped directly on the day.
What if I have no cash to tip movers?
Call the office the same day, give the crew names and ask to add a gratuity by card. Cold drinks and lunch on the day are welcome, and they do not replace a tip.