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Freight and Cargo Inspector

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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.

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.

  • 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.

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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.

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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?

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

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Where Freight and Cargo Inspectors Are Employed

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

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References:

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More about our data sources and methodologies.

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