Cargo and Freight Agents
SOC code 43-5011 · O*NET-SOC 43-5011.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Office and administration
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
Cargo and Freight Agents pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$52,260
a year
Hourly
$25.13
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$57,230
$27.52 per hour
Middle 50%
$45,710 – $63,390
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$38,340 – $79,810
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
97,670
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $38,340
- $18.43/hr
- 25th percentile
- $45,710
- $21.98/hr
- Median percentile
- $52,260
- $25.13/hr
- 75th percentile
- $63,390
- $30.48/hr
- 90th percentile
- $79,810
- $38.37/hr
What do 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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- 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.
- Prepare manifests showing numbers of airplane passengers and baggage, mail, and freight weights, transmitting data to destinations.
- Advise clients on transportation and payment methods.
- Arrange insurance coverage for goods.
- Estimate freight or postal rates and record shipment costs and weights.
- Install straps, braces, and padding to loads to prevent shifting or damage during shipment.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold bachelor's degree — 31% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Bachelor's Degree31%
- Some College Courses19%
- Post-Secondary Certificate18%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree18%
Common questions
How much does a cargo and freight agents earn?
The national median is $52,260 a year. The full range runs from $38,340 at the 10th percentile to $79,810 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a cargo and freight agents without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Speaking3.6/5
- Active Listening3.5/5
- Reading Comprehension3.3/5
- Critical Thinking3.3/5
- Writing3.0/5
- Monitoring3.0/5
Knowledge areas
- Transportation4.6/5
- Geography4.5/5
- Public Safety and Security4.0/5
- English Language3.9/5
- Administration and Management3.9/5
- Education and Training3.5/5
- Law and Government3.5/5
- Telecommunications3.4/5
Transferable strengths: Negotiation, Time Management, Social Perceptiveness, Coordination.