Cargo and freight agents
SOC Code: 43-5011Also known as:
Air Export Coordinator, Air Export Specialist, Cargo Agent, Cargo Router, Cargo Warehouse Agent
Median Annual Salary
$49,900
+8.5% growth (2024-2034)
9K
Openings/Year
101K
Current Jobs
What Cargo and freight agents Do
Expedite and route movement of incoming and outgoing cargo and freight shipments in airline, train, and trucking terminals and shipping docks. Take orders from customers and arrange pickup of freight and cargo for delivery to loading platform. Prepare and examine bills of lading to determine shipping charges and tariffs.
💰 Salary
$49,900
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
+8.5%
Much faster than average
🎓 Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
9K
Projected average per year
📚 On-the-Job Training
Short-term on-the-job training
Expected training period
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
100,600
Projected Employment (2034)
109,200
Related Careers
Compliance officers
$78,420 •
+3.0% growth
Cargo and freight agents
$49,900 •
+8.5% growth
Shipping, receiving, and inventory clerks
$43,190 •
-7.7% growth
Top Skills Required
Reading Comprehension
Coordination
Speaking
Active Listening
Monitoring
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- Negotiate and arrange transport of goods with shipping or freight companies.
- Determine method of shipment and prepare bills of lading, invoices, and other shipping documents.
- Track delivery progress of shipments.
- Advise clients on transportation and payment methods.
- Estimate freight or postal rates and record shipment costs and weights.
- Keep records of all goods shipped, received, and stored.
- Notify consignees, passengers, or customers of freight or baggage arrival and arrange for delivery.
- Retrieve stored items and trace lost shipments as necessary.
- Enter shipping information into a computer by hand or by a hand-held scanner that reads bar codes on goods.
- Negotiate shipping rates with freight carriers.
Technology & Tools
📚 Entry-Level Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Most common requirement
🎯 Recommended Education
Bachelor's Degree
O*NET recommended level
Degree Programs for Cargo and freight agents
These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a cargo and freight agents:
General Office Occupations and Clerical Services
1,543 degrees awarded •
116 colleges offer this program
Traffic, Customs, and Transportation Clerk/Technician
287 degrees awarded •
3 colleges offer this program
Best Colleges for Becoming a Cargo and freight agents
Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become cargo and freight agents.
| # | College | Location | Related Degrees | Repit Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bob Jones University | Greenville, SC | 15 | B |
| 2 | Bellevue University | Bellevue, NE | 199 | C+ |
| 3 | Diversified Vocational College | Los Angeles, CA | 183 | C+ |
| 4 | Panola College | Carthage, TX | 76 | C+ |
| 5 | Davis Technical College | Kaysville, UT | 45 | C+ |
| 6 | Eastern Arizona College | Thatcher, AZ | 29 | C+ |
| 7 | Spokane Community College | Spokane, WA | 14 | C+ |
| 8 | Pierce College District | Lakewood, WA | 12 | C+ |
| 9 | Gateway Technical College | Kenosha, WI | 10 | C+ |
| 10 | Midland College | Midland, TX | 10 | C+ |
| 11 | Milwaukee Area Technical College | Milwaukee, WI | 9 | C+ |
| 12 | Moraine Park Technical College | Fond du Lac, WI | 8 | C+ |
| 13 | Everett Community College | Everett, WA | 7 | C+ |
| 14 | Northwood Technical College | Rice Lake, WI | 7 | C+ |
| 15 | Bellevue College | Bellevue, WA | 7 | C+ |
| 16 | Madison Area Technical College | Madison, WI | 7 | C+ |
| 17 | Northcentral Technical College | Wausau, WI | 6 | C+ |
| 18 | Aims Community College | Greeley, CO | 6 | C+ |
| 19 | Arkansas State University-Newport | Newport, AR | 5 | C+ |
| 20 | Kansas City Kansas Community College | Kansas City, KS | 5 | C+ |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do cargo and freight agents make?
The median annual salary for cargo and freight agents is $49,900.
What education do cargo and freight agents need?
Most cargo and freight agents positions require a high school diploma or equivalent.
Common degree programs include General Office Occupations and Clerical Services, Traffic, Customs, and Transportation Clerk/Technician.
Is becoming cargo and freight agents a good career choice?
Cargo and freight agents is projected to see +8.5% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which is faster than average for all occupations. With approximately 8,800 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for cargo and freight agents?
Top colleges for aspiring cargo and freight agents include
Bob Jones University, Bellevue University, Diversified Vocational College, Panola College, Davis Technical College.
These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to cargo and freight agents?
Cargo and freight agents may also be known as: Air Export Coordinator, Air Export Specialist, Cargo Agent, Cargo Router, Cargo Warehouse Agent, Container Coordinator, Drop Shipment Clerk, Export Compliance Specialist, Export Coordinator, Export Specialist, Freight Agent, Freight Booker, Freight Broker, Freight Broker Agent, Freight Clerk, Freight Coordinator, Freight Forwarder, Freight Receiver, Freight Representative, Freight Router.
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.