How Much to Tip Movers in Los Angeles (LA) in 2025

Written by Move and Care LA

Edited and Fact Checked by Taras Kim

Updated: June 30, 2024

Hiring a moving company in Los Angeles makes relocating much easier – but how much do you tip movers once the job is done? In LA (and even in surrounding areas like Orange County), it is customary to tip movers as a way to thank them for their hard work. These crews do the heavy lifting, handle your belongings with care, and navigate LA traffic so you don’t have to.

Do You Tip Movers in Los Angeles? (Is It Customary)

Yes – tipping movers in LA is a common practice if you’re satisfied with the service. While a tip isn’t mandatory, professional movers don’t typically expect it the way restaurant servers do, but they greatly appreciate it. In fact, the vast majority of customers do tip. According to one 2025 survey, only about 3% of people who hired movers said they did not tip their moving crew. In other words, almost everyone rewards good movers with something.

Think of it this way: you hired the movers to do a tough job, and if they handled it well, a tip is the normal way to thank them. Los Angeles has a higher cost of living than many other cities, so a fair tip also helps local movers offset expenses. (Plus, moving furniture all day in any city – let alone a big city like LA – is hard work!) So, is it customary to tip movers? Absolutely. If your crew was on time, professional, and careful with your belongings, you should definitely plan to tip. The only exception might be if you received truly poor service (more on that later). In general, though, budget for a tip as part of your moving expenses – your movers will be grateful, and you’ll be in line with Los Angeles etiquette.

How Much Should You Tip Movers in LA? (Standard Tip)

For a typical move in Los Angeles, it’s common to tip somewhere between 10% and 20% of the total moving cost as a thank-you to the crew. Another handy guideline is to tip about $4–$5 per mover per hour of work. Both of these rules tend to get you to a similar place. Let’s translate that into real numbers:

• Percentage method: Imagine your move costs $1,200. A 15% tip would be $180 for the crew. If you had three movers, that could be roughly $60 to each.
• Per-hour method: If three movers worked 6 hours (18 total labor-hours) and you tip $5 per hour each, that’s 18 × $5 = $90 total tip. You’d likely round that up and maybe give each mover $40 (total $120) so each person gets a nice amount.

Both approaches are flexible. In practice, many people simply choose a flat dollar amount that feels right. Nationwide, a typical mover tip might be $20 per person for a half-day job or $40 per person for a full day. In Los Angeles, where everything is a bit pricier, customers often lean higher – $30–$60 per mover for a day’s work isn’t unusual. One local moving company source noted that when their team gets tipped, it’s often about $40 per mover on average for the whole job. They considered $20 per mover a welcome minimum, and around $50 per mover a wonderfully generous tip for a full day.

So, how much should you tip movers in LA? A safe answer is: around 15% of the job cost, or roughly $50 per mover for a big full-day move. If your move was small and easy, you might do a bit less; if it was complex or the service was stellar, you might do more. The key is to show appreciation in a meaningful amount relative to the effort involved. In the next sections, we’ll talk about adjusting that tip for short local moves versus long-distance moves.

How Much to Tip Movers for a Short Distance (Local) Move

Even if you’re just moving down the block or a few neighborhoods over, you should plan to tip your movers for a local move. Short-distance moves usually incur a smaller total bill, but the movers are still doing the heavy lifting and deserve thanks. For a short move within LA – say a 3- or 4-hour job with 2 movers – you might calculate 10% of the cost as a tip. For example, if your small apartment move costs $400, 10% is $40. It would be reasonable to give each mover about $20 in that scenario.

However, consider the context: if two movers spent 4 hours carrying furniture up and down a tricky apartment staircase, $20 each is a polite tip but on the low end. In LA, many people would bump that up to $25 or $30 each for a short move that still required hard work. Tipping movers (local) jobs should reflect the labor, not just the clock. So you might also use the per-hour idea: maybe $5 per hour for each mover. If a job took 4 hours, that’s $20 per mover – again, likely the minimum in Los Angeles.

A good practice is to have a baseline (e.g. “I’ll tip at least $20 per person for any move, no matter how short”) and then increase it for longer or tougher local moves. Apartment movers often deal with tight hallways, stairs, or elevator schedules – it’s not necessarily easier than a house move just because the distance is short. So if your local move was in any way challenging, consider tipping more toward the 15% end of the range. The difference between tipping each mover $20 vs. $30 on a small job might not break your bank, but it will certainly be appreciated by the crew.

In summary, for a short local Los Angeles move: aim for $20–$30 per mover (which might be ~5–15% of the move cost, depending on the total). You’ll make their day, even if the job only lasted half a day.

How Much to Tip Movers for a Long Distance Move

Long-distance moves (for example, from Los Angeles to another state, or vice versa) involve extra factors like many hours on the road, multiple days of work, and sometimes even separate teams on each end. Tipping for a long-distance move can be handled a couple of ways.

One approach is the percentage guideline: tip about 10% of the total move cost. Big interstate moves are expensive (often thousands of dollars), so 10% can be a hefty amount – but remember it may be split among a larger crew or over several days. For instance, if your cross-country move costs $5,000, a 10% gratuity would be $500. Perhaps you had a team of 4 movers who handled everything, traveling and unloading; you might give each around $125. If that seems high, consider the per-day approach instead.

Many people tip long-distance crews a flat amount per day of service. A common guideline is $40–$60 per mover per day. So if a driver and two helpers spent 3 full days packing, driving, and unloading for you, you might budget $50 × 3 days = $150 per person (total $450) as a tip for each of those three crew members. That aligns with the 10% example above. If the service was outstanding, you could go up to $60 each per day (which would be $180 per person in this example). If things were just OK, maybe $40 each per day ($120 per person total) would suffice.

Important: For long-distance moves, clarify how many crews are involved. Often, movers at your origin (LA) will load the truck, and a different team in the destination city will unload. In such cases, treat it like two separate jobs: tip the Los Angeles crew when they finish loading your life into the truck, and then tip the second crew after they unload at your new home. You can split your intended tip budget between them based on effort. For example, if the loading was tougher (all those LA stairs!), you might give the LA team 60% of the total tip and the unloading team 40%. Or if one crew clearly did more, adjust accordingly. Just don’t assume one crew will share with the other – tip each group directly.

Long moves are tiring and keep the crew away from home, so they especially appreciate generosity. A good rule is, the longer the move, the closer to 20% (or the high end per day) you should consider tipping. If your movers truly went above and beyond during a long-distance relocation, tip on the higher side – it’s a small fraction of the huge effort they delivered.

Factors That Affect Your Movers’ Tip

Every move is a little different. Here are key factors to weigh when deciding where in those tipping ranges your situation falls:

• Quality of Service

  Quality of Service: This is number one. Did the movers handle your belongings with care? Wrap the furniture, avoid banging the walls, and keep your items safe? Were they friendly and communicative? If you feel they did an excellent job, consider tipping at the upper end of the range (say 20% of the cost or $50+ per mover). If their service was truly exceptional – they managed a tricky piano move or helped reassemble furniture, all with a smile – you might even tip above the “usual” range. Conversely, if you’re disappointed with the service (damage, rude behavior, significant lateness without explanation), it’s reasonable to tip lower or even not tip at all. Tipping is a reward for a job well done, not an absolute requirement. Most movers work hard to earn your tip, but use your judgment based on the service quality you received.

• Move Complexity

  Move Complexity: Think about the physical and logistical complexity. Did your move involve lots of stairs or a long carry from the apartment to the truck? Heavy, bulky items (appliances, sectional sofa, pool table)? Narrow doorways or tricky turns that required extra finesse? The more complicated and strenuous the move, the more the crew has gone above normal effort. For a very complex move, it’s good etiquette to tip on the higher side because the crew literally had to work harder for it. For example, moving from a fourth-floor walk-up in Downtown LA with no elevator is far tougher than moving out of a one-story house in the suburbs – so adjust your tip with that in mind.

• Distance and Duration

  Distance and Duration: A local move that’s done in 3 hours is one thing; a 10-hour marathon is another. If your movers worked through the entire day (or multiple days), acknowledge that with a bigger tip. Long-distance moves, as discussed, typically mean more hours (often over several days), so the total tip will naturally be more than for a short job. Even for local moves, if the crew had to make multiple trips or your move ran into the evening due to unforeseen issues, consider adding a bit extra to compensate for the long day.

• Crew Size

  Crew Size: How many movers were helping you? If it’s just one or two guys handling everything, you might tip a bit more per person because they personally tackled the whole job. If it’s a large crew of six, you’ll be distributing the tip among more people. The “15% of total cost” guideline automatically scales with crew size to an extent (bigger jobs often have more movers and higher cost, leading to a bigger tip pool). But as a check, always break it down per mover. For instance, a $100 tip total sounds like a lot, but not if it was a team of 5 (that’s $20 each). It might be more appropriate to aim for $40 each (which would be $200 total). Ensure each worker gets a fair share for their time on your move.

• Timing & Conditions

  Timing & Conditions: Los Angeles weather is usually nice, but if you moved during an extreme heat wave or an unusual downpour, the job was extra uncomfortable. Movers don’t get to reschedule due to weather – they slog through it – but a higher tip can recognize that it wasn’t easy working in 100°F heat or carrying boxes in the rain. Likewise, if your move happened during heavy holiday traffic or other complicating circumstances (imagine a move in the midst of a big LA marathon that blocked streets), consider a bit more thanks. They handled challenges that go beyond a normal day.

• Your Budget Constraints

  Your Budget Constraints: Ultimately, you should tip within your means. Plan ahead for tipping so you’re not feeling strapped or surprised at the end. That said, life happens – maybe the move itself cost more than you expected or other expenses popped up. If you cannot comfortably hit the 15–20% range, something is still better than nothing. Even a smaller tip accompanied by sincere thanks is appreciated. And if a tight budget means you tip on the lower side, you can “make up for it” by, say, writing a glowing review naming the movers who did a good job. (Public praise can help them get bonuses or simply pride in their work.) The crew will appreciate that you tipped at all, as many have unfortunately experienced clients who give nothing. Just do what you can and treat them with respect.

In short, use common sense and fairness. Consider how hard the crew worked and how well they did their job, then tip accordingly within the suggested guidelines. If everything went great, err toward the higher end. If things were so-so, maybe the middle or lower end. They’ll usually earn it!

Mover Tipping Etiquette and Best Practices

Knowing how to tip movers is important to avoid awkwardness and ensure your gratitude is well-received. Here are some best practices:

• Have Cash Ready

  Have Cash Ready: While you can sometimes add a tip via credit card payment, cash is by far the simplest and most immediate method. Before moving day, visit the ATM and get the cash you’ll need (plus some small bills just in case) so you’re prepared. Cash gives you flexibility to hand out tips directly. Movers often prefer cash because they can use it right away and it feels more personal. If you forgot, ask if the team lead can stop by an ATM on the way to your new place, or see if electronic options (like Venmo) are feasible – but with multiple crew members, that can be cumbersome.

• Tip Each Mover Individually

  Tip Each Mover Individually: When the work is done, take a moment to thank each person on the crew and hand them their tip. This one-on-one gesture lets them know you recognize their individual effort. It also avoids any uncertainty about how the money gets split. If the crew is large and handing out cash individually is chaotic, you can ask the foreman to gather everyone and then give each their share in front of the group. The key is transparency and personal thanks. Many people like to put the cash in separate envelopes with each mover’s name – a nice touch, but not required. What is important is that each worker walks away with the exact amount you intended for them. Don’t rely on one crew member to divide a lump sum later.

• Choose the Right Moment

  Choose the Right Moment: Typically, you’ll tip at the end of the move, once all your furniture and boxes are in the new place and any assembly that was part of the service is done. Pick a moment when the crew is wrapping up (maybe while they’re gathering their equipment or doing final paperwork). Politely gather them or catch individuals as they finish. You might say something like, “Thank you, I really appreciate your hard work. I set aside a little something for each of you.” Then hand it over. For long-distance moves, if the same team handles everything, you’ll do this at the destination after unloading. If you had different origin and destination teams, tip each on the day they finish with you. And if your move is an overnight affair (they load one day, deliver the next), you can either tip in parts (half at load, half at unload) or all at the end – use your judgment on what feels right. Just don’t wait too long or someone might not get their tip (if, say, a crew member isn’t present on the last day).

• Equal Amounts for Each

  Equal Amounts for Each: Unless you have a very specific reason, plan to tip each mover the same amount. This is proper etiquette and keeps everything fair. Even if one mover was the crew leader or one seemed to do the most strenuous tasks, remember that every role is important. They often divide duties (one might carry more of the heavy items while another organizes and protects items in the truck, for example). The standard tip guidance we’ve given assumes an equal split. If you were extremely impressed by one person, you can certainly compliment them to their boss (that could help them in the long run) or even tip that person a little extra. Just be cautious: tipping one person much more than their teammates can create tension. Generally, consistency is safer – it avoids any hard feelings among the crew.

• Little Extras Go a Long Way

  Little Extras Go a Long Way: In addition to the cash tip, consider other ways to show appreciation during the move. Offering cold water, soda, or sports drinks is almost universally welcomed by movers. They’re doing physical labor, often in hot weather – staying hydrated is important. A cooler with some drinks on a moving truck is a sight for sore eyes. Snacks can be nice too (granola bars, fruit, pizza, whatever). You don’t have to feed your movers, but if the move spans a mealtime, it’s kind to offer something. Many LA movers will politely decline a full meal while on the clock, but offering lunch or dinner is never offensive – at worst they’ll say they can’t stop to eat, but thank you. At best, you make their day because they were hungry and now they have a free meal. Also, after everything is done, write a positive review for the moving company (and name the movers if you can) on Yelp, Google, or the company’s site. This is a non-monetary “tip” that can benefit them greatly, especially smaller local companies or newer crew members building a reputation. It only takes a few minutes for you, but it can help them get more jobs.

• If Service Fell Short

  If Service Fell Short: As mentioned earlier, if the moving service was poor, you have the option to reduce or skip the tip. Maybe the movers damaged furniture due to carelessness, or spent a lot of time on breaks, or showed up hours late without explanation. These things fortunately aren’t common with reputable movers, but they do happen. In such cases, you could decide to tip a token amount (e.g. much less than the guidelines) or nothing. Be sure to differentiate between the crew’s actions and things out of their control, though. For example, if traffic made the move take longer, that’s not their fault – we wouldn’t dock their tip for that. But if they were disrespectful or reckless, that’s on them. Should you choose not to tip due to bad service, it might be wise to call the moving company and explain the situation. Professional companies want to know if their workers did a bad job. Perhaps you’ll even get a partial refund or other remedy. The decision to withhold a tip shouldn’t be taken lightly (it’s a big statement), but your feedback can help improve the service for future customers. Remember, a tip is a form of feedback too – an excellent tip says “I’m very happy,” a small or absent tip says “I’m not.” Just make sure the crew truly earned that outcome.

By following these etiquette tips, you’ll ensure that your gratitude is communicated clearly and graciously. Movers are used to all kinds of customers – from those who offer lunch and big tips to those who vanish without a thank-you. Being one of the great customers (who treat them with respect and generosity) will make you stand out, and trust us, it makes their hard job feel worthwhile.

Conclusion – The Bottom Line on Tipping Movers in LA

When budgeting for your move in Los Angeles, don’t forget to include a line for “movers’ tip.” It’s the norm to reward a good moving team with a gratuity for their literal heavy lifting. To recap, how much to tip movers in LA: usually about 15% of the total moving cost is a standard tip (middle of the recommended 10–20% range). In practical terms, that often means roughly $30–$60 per mover for an all-day move, or around $20–$30 per mover for a half-day move. For simpler local moves you might tip a bit less; for tougher or long-distance moves, you might tip more (for example, $40–$100 per mover spread over a multi-day cross-country move isn’t uncommon). Always account for the specifics: the average tip for movers in an easy apartment move will be lower than for a massive house relocation with challenges.

Los Angeles movers, like movers everywhere, do not automatically include a tip – it’s up to you as the client. The crews work hard to earn it, and a fair tip is the best way to show you noticed their effort. By following the tips and guidelines in this movers tip guide, you can confidently arrive at a number that’s generous yet reasonable for you. Whether you hand each mover a crisp $50 bill or a friendly $20 and a cold drink, what matters is that you recognize their hard work. Moving is a physically demanding and sometimes stressful job, and your tip (along with a “thank you”) goes a long way in keeping these professionals motivated and valued.

Bottom line: if your movers did a good job, tip them. Is it customary to tip movers? Yes – and in LA, maybe a little more so. Even the best movers Los Angeles has to offer appreciate getting a token of gratitude. You’ll likely spend a few hundred (or thousand) dollars on the move itself; adding a bit extra for the crew will make your experience – and theirs – that much more positive. Happy moving, and don’t forget to take care of your movers, so they can take care of you and your belongings!

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