{L-End}Objective To understand the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) and sickness absence due to WMSDs among key industry workers in Shenzhen City. {L-End}Methods A total of 14 949 workers exposed to dust, noise, chemical and radiation (hereinafter referred to as "traditional occupational groups") in some key industries in Shenzhen City, as well as bus drivers, teachers, medical staff, policemen, courier, sanitation workers and video operators were selected as the research subjects using stratified cluster sampling. The Musculoskeletal Disorders Questionnaire was used to investigate the prevalence of WMSDs and sickness absence due to WMSDs in the past year. {L-End}Results The overall prevalence of WMSDs among the study subjects was 56.3% (8 423/14 949). The prevalence of WMSDs in different body parts from high to low was neck, waist, shoulder, back, knee, wrist, ankle, hip, and elbow, which was 37.6%, 35.7%, 31.7%, 25.2%, 18.3%, 15.4%, 14.9%, 12.4%, and 11.6%, respectively (P<0.01). The overall prevalence of WMSDs among different occupational groups from high to low was teachers, video operators, bus drivers, couriers, medical staff, policemen, traditional occupational groups, and sanitation workers, which was 82.2%, 75.7%, 74.9%, 73.9%, 67.9%, 64.3%, 43.3%, and 31.9%, respectively (P<0.01). The overall rate of sickness absence due to WMSDs was 18.3% (2 736/14 949). The overall rate of sickness absence among different occupational groups from high to low was bus drivers, couriers, teachers, traditional occupational groups, policemen, video operators, medical staff, and sanitation workers, which was 31.6%, 24.5%, 20.9%, 20.2%, 15.2%, 12.4%, 9.3%, and 6.7%, respectively (P<0.01). Among different parts of the body, the highest correlation coefficient of WMSDs was found between neck and shoulder ［correlatioon cofficient (r)=0.648, P<0.01］, while the lowest was between neck and ankle (r=0.303, P<0.01). {L-End}Conclusion The prevalence of WMSDs and sickness absence due to WMSDs among key industry workers in Shenzhen City is relatively high. Comprehensive prevention and control measures should be taken according to the characteristics of occupational population to reduce the impact of WMSDs on the health of occupational population.