To sort out the research status, hotspots and cutting-edge dynamics in the field of rural labor transfer in China，using CiteSpace software, statistical, co-occurrence, clustering and emergence analyses were conducted with the samples of rural labor force transfer related research papers published in CNKI database from 2000 to 2023. The results show that the applied research in the field of rural labor transfer in China is divided into the stage of rising development, stable development and fluctuating decrease. The research hotspots revolve around four aspects: research on the influencing factors of rural surplus labor transfer, research on rural labor transfer and urbanization development, research on the countermeasures of rural labor transfer issues, and research on rural labor transfer and rural revitalization. Finally, outlooks on the field of rural labor force transfer in China is put forward.