What You Need to Know About Cargo or Freight Agent
Cargo or Freight Agent Job Description 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 Cargo and Freight Agents Do On a Daily Basis?
- Route received goods to first available flight or to appropriate storage areas or departments, using forklifts, hand trucks, or other equipment.
- Direct delivery trucks to shipping doors or designated marshaling areas and help load and unload goods safely.
- Retrieve stored items and trace lost shipments as necessary.
- Keep records of all goods shipped, received, and stored.
- Enter shipping information into a computer by hand or by a hand-held scanner that reads bar codes on goods.
- Inspect and count items received and check them against invoices or other documents, recording shortages and rejecting damaged goods.
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Cargo or Freight Agent Required Skills
Below is a list of the skills most Cargo and Freight Agents say are important on the job.
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.
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.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Types of Cargo or Freight Agent Jobs
- Logistics Service Representative
- Freight Coordinator
- Export Traffic Department Manager
- Operations Manager Assistant
- Import Dispatcher
Is There Job Demand for Cargo and Freight Agents?
There were about 89,800 jobs for Cargo or Freight Agent in 2016 (in the United States). 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 Cargo or Freight Agent by 2026. The BLS estimates 8,600 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Cargo or Freight Agent 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.
Salary for a Cargo or Freight Agent
The typical yearly salary for Cargo and Freight Agents is somewhere between $25,970 and $66,920.
Cargo and Freight Agents who work in New Jersey, South Dakota, or New Hampshire, make the highest salaries.
How much do Cargo and Freight Agents 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 |
What Tools & Technology do Cargo and Freight Agents Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Cargo and Freight Agents may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Web browser software
- Email software
- Word processing software
- SAP
- Spreadsheet software
- Database software
- Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
- Transportation management software
How to Become a Cargo or Freight Agent
Education needed to be a Cargo or Freight Agent:
How many years of work experience do I need?
Cargo and Freight Agents Sector
The table below shows the approximate number of Cargo and Freight Agents employed by various industries.
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those thinking about becoming a Cargo or Freight Agent might also be interested in the following careers:
Those who work as a Cargo or Freight Agent sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
Image Credit: Jace Armstrong via public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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