One-third of workers may need to lift or carry up to 25 pounds

A light strength level, meaning workers may lift or carry up to 25 pounds, was required for 33.3 percent of workers in 2024. Among occupational groups, 60.9 percent of workers in food preparation and serving related occupations, 50.0 percent of workers in personal care and service occupations, and 47.7 percent of workers in sales and related occupations were required to have a light strength level.

Some workers are required occasionally to perform physical tasks on their jobs, meaning they spend between 2 percent and 33 percent of their workday on these tasks. Reaching overhead was required occasionally for 21.6 percent of workers in 2024. Reaching overhead was required occasionally for 66.8 percent of workers in installation, maintenance, and repair occupations and 49.6 percent of construction and extraction occupations.

Low posture, performing tasks while crawling, crouching, kneeling, or stooping, was required occasionally for 36.7 percent of all workers. Low posture was required occasionally for 77.9 percent of workers in installation, maintenance and repair occupations, 68.2 percent of workers in healthcare support occupations, and 66.9 percent of workers in transportation and material moving occupations.

Fine manipulation was required occasionally for 53.0 percent of all workers. Fine manipulation was occasionally required for over 70.0 percent of workers in healthcare support; installation, maintenance, and repair; and food preparation and serving related occupations.

These data are from the Occupational Requirements Survey. To learn more, see “Occupational Requirements in the United States – 2024.” For more information on concepts and definitions used in the survey, see the Handbook of Methods: Occupational Requirements Survey.