What Do Cargo or Freight Agent Do?
Job Description: 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.
A Day in the Life of a Cargo or Freight Agent
- Pack goods for shipping, using tools such as staplers, strapping machines, and hammers.
- Notify consignees, passengers, or customers of freight or baggage arrival and arrange for delivery.
- Direct delivery trucks to shipping doors or designated marshaling areas and help load and unload goods safely.
- Prepare manifests showing numbers of airplane passengers and baggage, mail, and freight weights, transmitting data to destinations.
- Coordinate and supervise activities of workers engaged in packing and shipping merchandise.
- Determine method of shipment and prepare bills of lading, invoices, and other shipping documents.
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Cargo or Freight Agent Required Skills
When polled, Cargo and Freight Agents say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Types of Cargo or Freight Agent
- Container Coordinator
- Freight Clerk
- Traffic Agent
- Operations Manager
- Operations Manager Assistant
Job Demand for Cargo and Freight Agents
In the United States, there were 89,800 jobs for Cargo or Freight Agent in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 10.4% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 9,300 new jobs for Cargo or Freight Agent by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 8,600 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Cargo or Freight Agent are Utah, Georgia, and New Jersey. Watch out if you plan on working in Ohio, Tennessee, or Oklahoma. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Average Cargo and Freight Agents Salary
The salary for Cargo and Freight Agents ranges between about $25,970 and $66,920 a year.
Cargo and Freight Agents who work in New Jersey, South Dakota, or New Hampshire, make the highest salaries.
How much do Cargo and Freight Agents make in different U.S. states?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $51,330 |
| Alaska | $39,620 |
| Arizona | $43,420 |
| Arkansas | $53,310 |
| California | $45,830 |
| Colorado | $47,350 |
| Delaware | $42,790 |
| Florida | $40,810 |
| Georgia | $44,560 |
| Hawaii | $39,920 |
| Idaho | $49,710 |
| Illinois | $44,760 |
| Indiana | $43,210 |
| Iowa | $42,470 |
| Kansas | $45,880 |
| Kentucky | $42,390 |
| Louisiana | $42,950 |
| Maine | $49,190 |
| Maryland | $42,820 |
| Massachusetts | $44,840 |
| Michigan | $45,460 |
| Minnesota | $50,120 |
| Mississippi | $43,340 |
| Missouri | $47,000 |
| Montana | $46,230 |
| Nebraska | $52,610 |
| Nevada | $41,400 |
| New Hampshire | $50,220 |
| New Jersey | $56,470 |
| New Mexico | $49,740 |
| New York | $45,310 |
| North Carolina | $45,060 |
| North Dakota | $41,100 |
| Ohio | $43,890 |
| Oklahoma | $46,040 |
| Oregon | $53,400 |
| Pennsylvania | $46,150 |
| South Carolina | $44,170 |
| South Dakota | $52,230 |
| Tennessee | $43,530 |
| Texas | $45,890 |
| Utah | $42,470 |
| Vermont | $38,040 |
| Virginia | $48,660 |
| Washington | $54,600 |
| West Virginia | $37,750 |
| Wisconsin | $39,710 |
| Wyoming | $44,340 |
What Tools do Cargo and Freight Agents Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Cargo and Freight Agents:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Web browser software
- Email software
- Word processing software
- SAP
- Spreadsheet software
- Database software
- Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
- Transportation management software
Becoming a Cargo or Freight Agent
What education or degrees do I need to become a Cargo or Freight Agent?
How many years of work experience do I need?
Cargo and Freight Agents Sector
Cargo and Freight Agents work in the following industries:
You May Also Be Interested In…
Those interested in being a Cargo or Freight Agent may also be interested in:
Are you already one of the many Cargo or Freight Agent in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
Image Credit: Jace Armstrong via public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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