Freight Forwarders
SOC code 43-5011 · O*NET-SOC 43-5011.01 · Little to some preparation needed · Office and administration
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
Freight Forwarders 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.
These pay and employment figures are for the broader BLS group “Cargo and Freight Agents”, not this job alone.
- 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 does a freight forwarder do?
Research rates, routings, or modes of transport for shipment of products. Maintain awareness of regulations affecting the international movement of cargo. Make arrangements for additional services, such as storage or inland transportation.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Negotiate shipping rates with freight carriers.
- Arrange for special transport of sensitive cargoes, such as livestock, food, or medical supplies.
- Arrange for applicable duties, taxes, or paperwork for customs clearance.
- Inform clients of factors such as shipping options, timelines, transfers, or regulations affecting shipments.
- Prepare shipping documentation, such as bills of lading, packing lists, dock receipts, or certificates of origin.
- Complete customs paperwork.
- Recommend or arrange appropriate merchandise packing methods, according to climate, terrain, weight, nature of goods, or costs.
- Refer exporters to experts in areas such as trade financing, international marketing, government export requirements, international banking, or marine insurance.
How to become a freight forwarder
Most people in this role hold bachelor's degree — 44% 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 Degree44%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)25%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree16%
- Master's Degree14%
Common questions
How much does a freight forwarder 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 freight forwarder 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
- Reading Comprehension3.8/5
- Monitoring3.5/5
- Active Listening3.4/5
- Critical Thinking3.4/5
- Writing3.3/5
- Speaking3.3/5
Knowledge areas
- Transportation4.8/5
- Administrative4.6/5
- Customer and Personal Service4.5/5
- Administration and Management4.3/5
- English Language4.3/5
- Computers and Electronics4.0/5
- Public Safety and Security3.9/5
- Geography3.9/5
Transferable strengths: Coordination, Social Perceptiveness, Negotiation, Service Orientation.