Freight Forwarders in Pennsylvania
Considering working as a Freight Forwarders in Pennsylvania? Below are the key facts. 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 Pennsylvania?
For freight forwarders working in Pennsylvania, wages run about $46,080 per year (or roughly $22.15/hour).Annual wages span from $34,450 at the 10th percentile to $71,380 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $34,450 | $16.56 |
| 25th percentile | $38,310 | $18.42 |
| Median (50th) | $46,080 | $22.15 |
| 75th percentile | $58,640 | $28.19 |
| 90th percentile | $71,380 | $34.32 |
The job concentration index in Pennsylvania relative to the national average — is 0.62, meaning 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 Pennsylvania median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 1,504,314 freight forwarders across the United States. In Pennsylvania alone, approximately 2,360 people work in this role. That’s more than the typical state, which employs around 950 freight forwarders.
Top Pennsylvania Metros for Freight Forwarders
The metro areas below employ the most freight forwarders in Pennsylvania.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 1,370 | $48,030 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 710 | $41,600 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | 110 | $59,890 |
| Scranton–Wilkes-Barre, PA | 70 | $50,340 |
| York-Hanover, PA | 60 | $42,180 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | 50 | $59,300 |
| Reading, PA | 40 | $50,960 |
Top States for Freight Forwarders Employment
These states have the highest employment of 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
The most important 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
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
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Microsoft Excel In-demand technologies: Microsoft Excel
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Several college majors map to this occupation:
- Business Support & Assistance
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Related occupations 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