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Freight Forwarders in Puerto Rico
Considering working as a Freight Forwarders in Puerto Rico? Here’s what the data says. Expedite and route movement of incoming and outgoing cargo and freight shipments in airline, train, and trucking terminals and shipping docks. Take orders from customers and arrange pickup of freight and cargo for delivery to loading platform. Prepare and examine bills of lading to determine shipping charges and tariffs.
What do Freight Forwarders Make in Puerto Rico?
For freight forwarders working in Puerto Rico, wages run about $27,670 per year (or about $13.30/hour).Annual wages span from $20,460 at the 10th percentile to $37,100 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $20,460 | $9.84 |
| 25th percentile | $23,260 | $11.18 |
| Median (50th) | $27,670 | $13.30 |
| 75th percentile | $29,840 | $14.35 |
| 90th percentile | $37,100 | $17.84 |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in Puerto Rico relative to the national average — is 0.60, indicating fewer freight forwarders per worker than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, freight forwarders earn a median of $46,360 per year ($22.29/hour), below the Puerto Rico median.
Employment Outlook
There are roughly 1,504,314 freight forwarders across the United States. In Puerto Rico alone, about 360 people work in this role. That’s fewer than the typical state, which employs around 950 freight forwarders.
Top Puerto Rico Metros for Freight Forwarders
The largest metro-area employers of freight forwarders in Puerto Rico.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR | 300 | $27,670 |
Top States for Freight Forwarders Employment
The table below shows the states where the most freight forwarders work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 14,940 |
| Texas | 9,460 |
| Illinois | 6,820 |
| Florida | 6,470 |
| New York | 5,930 |
| Ohio | 3,740 |
| North Carolina | 3,710 |
| New Jersey | 3,140 |
| Arizona | 3,050 |
| Georgia | 2,910 |
| Michigan | 2,650 |
| Washington | 2,460 |
| Pennsylvania | 2,360 |
| South Carolina | 2,130 |
| Kentucky | 2,050 |
| Minnesota | 2,020 |
| Hawaii | 1,900 |
| Missouri | 1,790 |
| Indiana | 1,660 |
| Tennessee | 1,660 |
Highest-Paying States for Freight Forwarders
The highest-paying states for freight forwarders.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| South Dakota | $68,400 |
| New Jersey | $62,860 |
| Montana | $60,660 |
| Massachusetts | $59,700 |
| Nebraska | $58,160 |
| Wisconsin | $57,490 |
| New York | $57,230 |
| California | $56,100 |
| Georgia | $55,710 |
| Utah | $55,220 |
Skills
Key freight forwarders skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Top abilities for freight forwarders, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Day-to-day, freight forwarders typically:
- Negotiate shipping rates with freight carriers.
- Arrange for special transport of sensitive cargoes, such as livestock, food, or medical supplies.
- 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 shipping documentation, such as bills of lading, packing lists, dock receipts, or certificates of origin.
- Complete customs paperwork.
- Prepare invoices or cost quotations for freight transportation.
- Select shipment routes, based on nature of goods shipped, transit times, or security needs.
- Calculate weight, volume, or cost of goods to be moved.
- Arrange delivery or storage of goods at destinations.
- Arrange for transport, using a variety of modes, such as rail, short sea shipping, air, or roadways, to minimize carbon emissions or other environmental impacts.
- Determine efficient and cost-effective methods of moving goods from one location to another.
Work Activities
- Getting Information
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Working with Computers
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Scheduling Work and Activities
- Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
- Analyzing Data or Information
- Thinking Creatively
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Processing Information
- Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
Tools & Technology
Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Microsoft Excel In-demand technologies: Microsoft Excel
Related Careers
Careers similar to freight forwarders include:
- Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers
- Buyers and Purchasing Agents, Farm Products
- Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products
- Customs Brokers
- Logisticians
- Logistics Engineers
Also Known As
Air Cargo Agent, Air Export Agent, Air Export Clerk, Air Export Coordinator, Air Freight Forwarder, Cargo Agent, Domestic Freight Forwarder, Export Clerk, Export Coordinator, Export Freight Clerk, Export Freight Forwarder, Export Freight Manager, Export Freight Planner, Export Freight Specialist, Freight Analyst.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 43-5011.01