Cargo and Freight Agents Salary
The median cargo and freight agents salary in the United States is $52,260 per year ($25.13/hour). Salaries range from $38,340 at the entry level to $79,810+ for the top 10% of earners. There are 97,670 cargo and freight agents jobs nationwide. Employment is projected to grow 8.5% through 2034.
Last updated: June 2026 Β· Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Salary Distribution
Job Growth (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
Education Required
Training Needed
Cargo and Freight Agents Career Guide
Interview questions, resume templates, and a career ladder written specifically for cargo and freight agentss.
Cargo and freight agents book, route, and document shipments moving by ocean, air, road, and rail β the operational middle of freight forwarding, airport cargo, and non-vessel operating common carrier (NVOCC) work. The role spans three primary segments: (1) Freight forwarders β Kuehne+Nagel, Expeditors, DHL Global Forwarding, DB Schenker, DSV / Panalpina, Nippon Express, Kerry Logistics, Yusen Logistics, BollorΓ© (now MSC Logistics), C.H. Robinson Global Forwarding β arranging import + export shipments end-to-end. (2) Airport cargo handling β cargo agents at passenger airline cargo divisions (Delta Cargo, American Airlines Cargo, United Cargo, Lufthansa Cargo, Cathay Pacific Cargo, Korean Air Cargo, Emirates SkyCargo) and dedicated freighter operators (FedEx, UPS, Atlas Air, Kalitta, ATSG, Amerijet, Cargolux, Nippon Cargo Airlines) handle acceptance, buildup, breakdown, and release of ULD cargo. (3) Truck brokerage + surface freight β C.H. Robinson, XPO, TQL, Landstar, Coyote, RXO, ArcBest β brokering full-truckload (FTL) and less-than-truckload (LTL) freight. BLS median $52,260 with p10 $32,090 and p90 $82,290 across 97,670 jobs. Entry $32-42k as an operations coordinator at a freight forwarder or airport cargo handler; established $48-68k at a senior forwarder or airport supervisor; senior $70-100k+ as an operations manager, customs specialist, or freight forwarding branch manager. Airline cargo is often unionized (IAM, Teamsters) with transparent step-and-column pay scales; forwarders are non-union with performance bonuses tied to lane profitability and customer retention.
Core Skills Hiring Managers Screen For
How to Become a Cargo and Freight Agents
- 1Apply to freight forwarder operations coordinator or airline cargo handler entry positions$32-42k starting. High school diploma or GED is baseline; associate's or bachelor's in logistics / supply chain preferred at some forwarders. Every major forwarder (K+N, Expeditors, DHL Global Forwarding, DB Schenker, DSV, C.H. Robinson) has structured new-hire training programs; airlines (Delta Cargo, American Cargo, United Cargo) run 2-6 week academies for new cargo agents.
- 2Complete 90-day new-hire training + platform certificationFreight forwarder training covers the venue's TMS (CargoWise typical), documentation basics, INCOTERMS, and customer-service standards. Airline training covers airline-specific cargo-community system, ULD buildup, weight & balance, and DG handling introduction. IATA DGR Category 6 (Ground Handler) or Category 8 (Freight Forwarder) certification is typically completed in the first 6-12 months.
- 3Get IATA / FIATA + specialty certificationsIATA DGR certification (renewed every 24 months) is baseline for air-freight handlers. FIATA Diploma in Freight Forwarding is the international-forwarding credential (typically 6-12 month program). Perishable Cargo Regulations (PCR), Live Animal Regulations (LAR), Time and Temperature Sensitive (TTS) certifications for pharma cold-chain. CCS (Certified Cargo Screener) for TSA-regulated air-cargo screening.
- 4Move up to senior agent, lead agent, or import/export supervisor$48-68k salary at 3-6 years. Own a customer book (in forwarding) or a shift (in airline cargo). Coach entry agents through their 90-day training. Handle complex shipments β multi-leg routings, DG, PGA-regulated (FDA / USDA / EPA), high-value cargo, live animals, perishables.
- 5Advance to operations manager, branch manager, or customs brokerage lead$70-105k salary at 8-15 years. Forwarder Branch Manager runs a 20-80 person operation at a single geography (JFK, LAX, ORD, ATL, MIA, DFW branches at large forwarders each generate $30-200M annual revenue). Airline Cargo Terminal Manager runs the ground-handling operation at a major hub (JFK Terminal 5 Cargo, LAX Century Cargo Complex, ORD North Cargo, MIA Cargo City) coordinating with the airline network. Customs Brokerage Manager runs the licensed brokerage function at a large forwarder β requires a Licensed Customs Broker (LCB) credential from CBP.
Career Progression
- β’Enter shipment bookings into the TMS or cargo-community system (CargoWise, Descartes, CHAMP Cargospot)
- β’Prepare Air Waybills, Bills of Lading, commercial invoices, packing lists
- β’Coordinate pickup + delivery with truckers and end-consignees
- β’Track shipments and communicate exceptions to customers
- β’Own a customer book (in forwarding) of 8-25 active accounts with monthly volume commitments
- β’Quote spot rates and build service proposals for prospective accounts with sales team
- β’Handle complex shipments β multi-leg intermodal, DG, PGA-regulated (FDA / USDA / EPA), high-value, live animals
- β’Cross-train entry agents on the TMS and documentation standards
- β’Own a shift (in airline cargo) or a functional area (import, export, brokerage, DG desk) with 6-15 direct reports
- β’Own hiring, coaching, and progressive discipline for the area
- β’Interface with airline network / carrier rate teams / customs on shipment-level exceptions
- β’Report against area metrics β release SLA, damage rate, customer NPS, on-time percentage
- β’Own the operations function at a branch β typically 30-80 personnel in forwarders; 40-120 at airline cargo terminals
- β’Report against branch P&L: gross-margin per shipment, direct labor cost, damage / claims cost, customer retention
- β’Own hiring across the branch, discipline escalation, and cross-department coordination with Sales / Compliance / Finance
- β’Represent the branch at regional operations reviews with the Regional Operations Director
- β’Full P&L for the branch or region β revenue, gross margin, operating profit, customer growth
- β’Own multi-department leadership β Operations, Sales, Compliance, Customer Service, Finance at the branch
- β’Report to the Regional VP or Country GM on monthly performance + quarterly strategy
- β’Own regional-level customer relationships β the top 20 accounts contribute 60-80% of branch revenue at typical forwarders
Interview Questions & Answers
5 free questions below. Career Kit unlocks 15 total plus resume bullets for every level.
Q1. Walk me through booking an international air-freight shipment from customer request to delivery.technical
Q2. How do you handle a customs hold on an inbound shipment?case
Q3. Describe your knowledge of INCOTERMS 2020.technical
Q4. How would you build a service proposal for a new customer moving 40 TEUs / month from Shanghai to Long Beach?case
Q5. Why cargo and freight β with global-supply-chain volatility this is a stressful role.closer
Resume Template β Operations Coordinator / Cargo Agent entry (0-2 yrs)
Copy these bullets into your resume as a starting point. Career Kit includes bullets for every level of the ladder.
- βΈOperations coordinator at [Kuehne+Nagel / Expeditors / DHL Global Forwarding branch]; handled 220-280 air + ocean shipments per month across TransPacific + TransAtlantic lanes.
- βΈIATA DGR Category 8 (Freight Forwarder) certified in month 4; handled 40+ DG shipments per month including Class 3 (flammable liquids), Class 8 (corrosives), and lithium-battery declarations.
- βΈCargoWise TMS certified through the forwarder's 6-week training program; zero critical documentation errors flagged in first 12 months.
- βΈ$40,800 base + shift-lead differential + benefits + $2,500 signing bonus + $500 quarterly performance bonus target. Working toward FIATA Diploma in Freight Forwarding.
What Gets You Rejected
- βNo IATA DGR certification (for air freight) β this is table stakes at any air-freight forwarder or airport cargo handler. Screens you out of Kuehne+Nagel, Expeditors, DHL Global Forwarding, and every airline-cargo interview.
- βWeak documentation instinct β cargo agents live in Air Waybills and Bills of Lading. A missed field on a MAWB can delay an aircraft; a wrong HTS classification can trigger a $50k customs penalty. Interviewers screen for detail-orientation directly.
- βCannot describe the difference between FCA and FOB β screens you out of any international-forwarding interview. INCOTERMS fluency is expected day-one at entry level.
- βRigid on shift schedule β cargo operations run 24/7. Airline cargo agents work rotating shifts including nights, weekends, and holidays. If you can't work rotating shifts, this occupation is not for you.
- βWeak platform fluency β cargo agents live in CargoWise (forwarders) or CHAMP Cargospot / IBS iCargo (airlines). If you can't demonstrate speed on the venue's platform after training, you'll wash out of the 90-day probation.
- βNo customer-service instinct β freight agents own the tracking-and-tracing function; customers escalate quickly on exceptions. Screens out of Expeditors and premium forwarder interviews immediately.
Salary Negotiation Levers
- βIATA DGR (Category 6 or 8) certification β direct wage lever at every air-freight employer. Some forwarders pay for the certification renewal + a per-shift DG-desk stipend.
- βLicensed Customs Broker (LCB) β the CBP-administered license opens the customs brokerage career track. LCB holders command $8-25k premium over non-licensed brokerage staff. Exam pass rate is ~15%; the license is a real credential.
- βFIATA Diploma in Freight Forwarding β international-standard forwarding credential. Direct wage lever and preferred placement at K+N + DHL + DSV + European-headquartered forwarders.
- βSpecialty commodity certification β Perishable Cargo Regulations (PCR), Live Animal Regulations (LAR), Time and Temperature Sensitive Cargo (TTS), CEIV Pharma (IATA Center of Excellence for Independent Validators) for pharma cold-chain. Direct wage impact of $2-8k in specialty-desk roles.
- βShift differential + weekend / holiday premium β airline cargo pays 10-25% night-shift and weekend differentials. Confirm the rate in writing at hire.
- βBonus structure β freight forwarder senior agents and lead agents often have $3-15k performance bonuses tied to lane profitability, customer retention, or documentation-accuracy metrics. Negotiate the target and the metrics, not just the base.
- βAirline cargo union pay scales β IAM (International Association of Machinists) and Teamsters cover most airline cargo operations. Union step-and-column pay is transparent; negotiate step placement at hire for lateral experience.
- βGeographic differential β JFK, LAX, ORD, MIA, ATL, DFW, IAH, EWR gateway markets pay 10-25% above regional average. Miami is the Latin America cargo hub; LAX + JFK are the Asian / European hubs. Coastal high-cost cities pay more but cost of living is higher.
Cargo and Freight Agents Resume Review β $29
Personalized resume review from someone who has hired cargo and freight agentss. Purchase, email your resume to support@weblabra.com, and receive detailed written feedback within 7 days.
- β Occupation-specific critique (not generic)
- β Rewrite suggestions for weak bullets
- β Missing skills / keywords flagged
- β Formatting + ATS-readability feedback
- β 7-day turnaround, 100% refund if we miss it
Cargo and Freight Agents Career Kit β $19
- β All 15 interview questions with expert answers
- β 8 real questions aggregated from Glassdoor, Blind, Reddit, LinkedIn
- β Interview format intel for 9 top employers
- β 3 copy-paste salary negotiation emails
- β Resume bullets for every level of the career ladder
- β 30β60β90 day plan for your first role
- β Cover letter templates specific to this occupation
- β Detailed salary negotiation script
- β Ranked list of certifications with cost + ROI
- β Downloadable PDF for offline access
- β Instant access, no expiration, no subscription
One-time purchase. 7-day refund guarantee.
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Cargo and Freight Agents Salary by State
Best Cities (cost-adjusted) βSalary Map β Click a state for details
Top Paying States
| State | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $76,250 | +45.9% |
| New Hampshire | $67,660 | +29.5% |
| South Dakota | $64,340 | +23.1% |
| Nebraska | $62,500 | +19.6% |
| Washington | $60,760 | +16.3% |
| Rhode Island | $60,310 | +15.4% |
| New Jersey | $60,210 | +15.2% |
| New York | $60,040 | +14.9% |
| Illinois | $59,750 | +14.3% |
| Montana | $59,240 | +13.4% |
Cargo and Freight Agents Salary by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Charles, LA | $68,080 | +30.3% |
| Tulsa, OK | $67,140 | +28.5% |
| Rapid City, SD | $65,440 | +25.2% |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $65,320 | +25.0% |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $64,580 | +23.6% |
| New Haven, CT | $63,380 | +21.3% |
| Albuquerque, NM | $63,010 | +20.6% |
| Missoula, MT | $63,010 | +20.6% |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $62,950 | +20.5% |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $62,830 | +20.2% |