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Freight Forwarder

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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.

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.

  • 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.

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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.

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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?

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

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Who Employs Freight Forwarders?

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Below are examples of industries where Freight Forwarders work:

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References:

Image Credit: Jace Armstrong via public domain

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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