What You Need to Know About Freight Forwarder
Freight Forwarder Job 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.
Freight Forwarder Responsibilities
- Negotiate shipping rates with freight carriers.
- Maintain current knowledge of relevant legislation, political situations, or other factors that could affect freight shipping.
- Assist clients in obtaining insurance reimbursements.
- Recommend or arrange appropriate merchandise packing methods, according to climate, terrain, weight, nature of goods, or costs.
- Provide detailed port information to importers or exporters.
- Calculate weight, volume, or cost of goods to be moved.
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What Every Freight Forwarder Should Know
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.
Other Freight Forwarder Job Titles
- Ocean Freight Manager
- Freight Specialist
- Export Clerk
- Air Export Coordinator
- Freight Head
Freight Forwarder Employment Estimates
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. 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 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.
What is the Average Salary of a Freight Forwarder
Freight Forwarders make between $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 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
Becoming a Freight Forwarder
What education is needed to be a Freight Forwarder?

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

Where Freight Forwarders Work

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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