What Does it Take to Be a 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.
A Day in the Life of a Freight Forwarder
- Obtain or arrange cargo insurance.
- Consider environmental sustainability factors when determining merchandise packing methods.
- Verify adherence of documentation to customs, insurance, or regulatory requirements.
- Recommend or arrange appropriate merchandise packing methods, according to climate, terrain, weight, nature of goods, or costs.
- Negotiate shipping rates with freight carriers.
- 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.
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Freight Forwarder Needed Skills
Below is a list of the skills most Freight Forwarders say are important on the job.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Freight Product Head
- Ocean Forwarder
- Air Export Coordinator
- Domestic Freight Forwarder
- Export Freight Clerk
Job Outlook for Freight Forwarders
There were about 89,800 jobs for Freight Forwarder 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 Freight Forwarder by 2026. The BLS estimates 8,600 yearly job openings in this field.
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?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Freight Forwarders may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Email software
- SAP
- Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne
- Manufacturing resource planning MRP software
How to Become a Freight Forwarder
What kind of Freight Forwarder requirements are there?
What work experience do I need to become a Freight Forwarder?
Who Employs Freight Forwarders?
Below are examples of industries where Freight Forwarders work:
References:
Image Credit: Jace Armstrong via public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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