All About Freight Forwarders
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.
A Day in the Life of a Freight Forwarder
- Arrange for special transport of sensitive cargoes, such as livestock, food, or medical supplies.
- Review the environmental records of freight carriers to inform shipping decisions.
- Select shipment routes, based on nature of goods shipped, transit times, or security needs.
- Verify proper packaging and labeling of exported goods.
- Arrange for applicable duties, taxes, or paperwork for customs clearance.
- Recommend shipping solutions to minimize cost or environmental impacts.
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Freight Forwarder Needed Skills
Freight Forwarders state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
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.
Types of Freight Forwarder Jobs
- Ocean Transportation Intermediary
- Ocean Freight Manager
- Air/Ocean Export Clerk
- Export Freight Forwarder
- Ocean Freight Forwarder
Is There Going to be Demand 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. 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.
What is the Average Salary of a Freight Forwarder
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.
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 or degrees do I need to become a Freight Forwarder?
What work experience do I need to become a Freight Forwarder?
Freight Forwarders Sector
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
References:
Image Credit: Jace Armstrong via public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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