What Do Freight Forwarder Do?
Example of Freight Forwarder Job 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.
Freight Forwarder Responsibilities
- Prepare invoices or cost quotations for freight transportation.
- Monitor or record locations of goods in transit.
- Arrange delivery or storage of goods at destinations.
- Keep records of goods dispatched or received.
- Consolidate loads with a common destination to reduce costs to individual shippers.
- Select shipment routes, based on nature of goods shipped, transit times, or security needs.
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Qualities of a Freight Forwarder
Below is a list of the skills most Freight Forwarders say are important on the job.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Types of Freight Forwarder
- Logistics Technician
- Relocation Coordinator
- Export Freight Forwarder
- Ocean Transportation Intermediary
- Domestic Freight Forwarder
Job Opportunities for Freight Forwarders
In the United States, there were 89,800 jobs for Freight Forwarder 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 Freight Forwarder by 2026. The BLS estimates 8,600 yearly job openings in this field.

The states with the most job growth for Freight Forwarder 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 Freight Forwarders Salary
The salary for Freight Forwarders ranges between about $25,970 and $66,920 a year.

Freight Forwarders who work in New Jersey, South Dakota, or New Hampshire, make the highest salaries.
How much do Freight Forwarders make in each U.S. state?
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 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Freight Forwarders
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Freight Forwarders may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Email software
- SAP
- Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne
- Manufacturing resource planning MRP software
Becoming a Freight Forwarder
Are there Freight Forwarders education requirements?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Where Freight Forwarders Are Employed

Freight Forwarders work in the following industries:

References:
Image Credit: Jace Armstrong via public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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