What is a Freight and Cargo Inspector?
Career Description Inspect the handling, storage, and stowing of freight and cargoes.
List of Freight & Cargo Inspector Job Duties
- Advise crews in techniques of stowing dangerous and heavy cargo.
- Measure heights and widths of loads to ensure they will pass over bridges or through tunnels on scheduled routes.
- Issue certificates of compliance for vessels without violations.
- Measure ships’ holds and depths of fuel and water in tanks, using sounding lines and tape measures.
- Time rolls of ships, using stopwatches.
- Direct crews to reload freight or to insert additional bracing or packing as necessary.
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What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Freight & Cargo Inspector?
Freight and Cargo Inspectors state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
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.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
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.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Perishable Freight Inspector
- Freight Inspector
- Freight Car Inspector
- Shipping Inspector
- Heavy Check Inspector
What Kind of Freight & Cargo Inspector Job Opportunities Are There?
There were about 28,200 jobs for Freight and Cargo Inspector in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 5.7% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 1,600 new jobs for Freight and Cargo Inspector by 2026. The BLS estimates 2,900 yearly job openings in this field.

The states with the most job growth for Freight & Cargo Inspector are Alabama, Rhode Island, and Utah. Watch out if you plan on working in Kansas, Minnesota, or Wyoming. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for a Freight & Cargo Inspector
The average yearly salary of a Freight & Cargo Inspector ranges between $28,870 and $123,980.

Freight and Cargo Inspectors who work in Maine, District of Columbia, or Alaska, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Freight and Cargo Inspectors in different U.S. states.
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alaska | $105,850 |
Arizona | $61,380 |
Arkansas | $70,790 |
California | $76,290 |
Colorado | $77,660 |
Connecticut | $82,870 |
District of Columbia | $100,630 |
Florida | $85,340 |
Georgia | $70,850 |
Hawaii | $79,490 |
Idaho | $73,870 |
Illinois | $84,420 |
Indiana | $78,520 |
Iowa | $77,250 |
Kansas | $86,500 |
Kentucky | $71,930 |
Louisiana | $69,970 |
Maine | $101,310 |
Maryland | $65,710 |
Massachusetts | $71,840 |
Michigan | $79,170 |
Minnesota | $83,180 |
Mississippi | $85,700 |
Missouri | $73,160 |
Montana | $77,390 |
Nebraska | $86,130 |
New Hampshire | $72,500 |
New Jersey | $74,010 |
New Mexico | $58,510 |
North Carolina | $79,680 |
North Dakota | $87,030 |
Ohio | $58,740 |
Oklahoma | $76,600 |
Oregon | $76,510 |
Pennsylvania | $65,710 |
Rhode Island | $53,090 |
South Carolina | $72,160 |
South Dakota | $57,780 |
Tennessee | $78,120 |
Texas | $84,250 |
Utah | $55,360 |
Virginia | $77,920 |
Washington | $73,480 |
Wisconsin | $86,990 |
Wyoming | $70,470 |
What Tools do Freight and Cargo Inspectors Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Freight and Cargo Inspectors may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Web browser software
- Data entry software
- Email software
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
How to Become a Freight & Cargo Inspector
What education or degrees do I need to become a Freight and Cargo Inspector?

How Long Does it Take to Become a Freight & Cargo Inspector?

Where Freight and Cargo Inspectors Are Employed

Below are examples of industries where Freight and Cargo Inspectors work:

References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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