What Do Freight Forwarder Do?
Position Description 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.
Life As a Freight Forwarder: What Do They Do?
- Reserve necessary space on ships, aircraft, trains, or trucks.
- Arrange delivery or storage of goods at destinations.
- Arrange for applicable duties, taxes, or paperwork for customs clearance.
- Inform clients of factors such as shipping options, timelines, transfers, or regulations affecting shipments.
- Prepare invoices or cost quotations for freight transportation.
- Keep records of goods dispatched or received.
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What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Freight Forwarder?
When polled, Freight Forwarders say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Time Management: Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Related Job Titles
- Import Export Clerk
- Air Export Agent
- Export Freight
- Freight Head
- Ocean Export Coordinator
Job Outlook for Freight Forwarders
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 89,800 jobs in the United States for Freight Forwarder. 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. There will be an estimated 8,600 positions for Freight Forwarder per year.

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.
Freight Forwarder Average Salary
The average yearly salary of a Freight Forwarder ranges between $25,970 and $66,920.

Freight Forwarders who work in New Jersey, South Dakota, or New Hampshire, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Freight Forwarders 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 Freight Forwarders Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Freight Forwarders:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Email software
- SAP
- Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne
- Manufacturing resource planning MRP software
How do I Become a Freight Forwarder?
What education is needed to be a Freight Forwarder?

What work experience do I need to become a Freight Forwarder?

Freight Forwarders Sector

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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