Customs Brokers
SOC code 13-1041 · O*NET-SOC 13-1041.08 · Medium preparation needed · Business and finance
Customs Brokers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$80,730
a year
Hourly
$38.81
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$88,400
$42.50 per hour
Middle 50%
$61,280 – $109,010
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$48,220 – $133,720
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
417,070
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
These pay and employment figures are for the broader BLS group “Compliance Officers”, not this job alone.
- 10th percentile
- $48,220
- $23.18/hr
- 25th percentile
- $61,280
- $29.46/hr
- Median percentile
- $80,730
- $38.81/hr
- 75th percentile
- $109,010
- $52.41/hr
- 90th percentile
- $133,720
- $64.29/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+3%
Growing about as fast as average
418,000
jobs in 2024
430,300
projected for 2034
About 12,300 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What does a customs broker do?
Prepare customs documentation and ensure that shipments meet all applicable laws to facilitate the import and export of goods. Determine and track duties and taxes payable and process payments on behalf of client. Sign documents under a power of attorney. Represent clients in meetings with customs officials and apply for duty refunds and tariff reclassifications. Coordinate transportation and storage of imported goods.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Pay, or arrange for payment of, taxes and duties on shipments.
- Classify goods according to tariff coding system.
- Clear goods through customs and to their destinations for clients.
- Prepare and process import and export documentation according to customs regulations, laws, or procedures.
- Stay abreast of changes in import or export laws or regulations by reading current literature, attending meetings or conferences, or conferring with colleagues.
- Calculate duty and tariff payments owed on shipments.
- Confer with officials in various agencies to facilitate clearance of goods through customs and quarantine.
- Obtain line releases for frequent shippers of low-risk commodities, high-volume entries, or multiple-container loads.
How to become a customs broker
Preparation level: zone 3 — Medium preparation needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
The federal survey did not capture education levels for this specific occupation, so the preparation-level card above is the best guide to the entry route.
Common questions
How much does a customs broker earn?
The national median is $80,730 a year. The full range runs from $48,220 at the 10th percentile to $133,720 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 customs broker without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 3, meaning the typical entry route is most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Is customs broker in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 3% between 2024 and 2034 — growing about as fast as average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension4.0/5
- Active Listening4.0/5
- Speaking3.9/5
- Writing3.8/5
- Critical Thinking3.8/5
- Active Learning3.3/5
- Monitoring3.1/5
Knowledge areas
- Law and Government4.3/5
- Administrative4.2/5
- Customer and Personal Service4.2/5
- English Language4.0/5
- Transportation3.7/5
- Administration and Management3.6/5
- Computers and Electronics3.3/5
- Economics and Accounting3.3/5
Transferable strengths: Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making, Time Management.