Cargo and Freight Agents
Expedite and route movement of incoming and outgoing cargo and freight shipments in airline, train, and trucking terminals and shipping docks.
About the profession
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.
How to Get Started
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Career Match Test →Explore the Career Path section to see progression from junior to senior
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Occupation on screen: Cargo and Freight Agents (O*NET 43-5011.00). Closed captions in English and Spanish. CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration)
Personality Fit
Based on the Cargo and Freight Agents role, here are the RIASEC personality types that tend to thrive in this career. While these alignments are common, individual success depends on motivation, skill development, and finding the right work environment.
Enterprising
Leading, persuading, business
Social
Helping, teaching, working with people
Conventional
Organizing, detail-oriented, structured
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Career Path
Your career progression roadmap with salary growth at each level
Career Ladder
Trainee Cargo and Freight Agent → Technician Cargo and Freight Agent → Senior Technician Cargo and Freight Agent → Lead Technician Cargo and Freight Agent
Where are you on this career path?
Click a level below to set your current position
Salary Growth
4
Levels
$73K
Top Salary
8+
Years
Learning Path
Skills you need to develop and courses to get there
🚀
Set your current level first
Go to the Career Path tab and select your current level to see your personalized learning plan.
Go to Career PathCareer levels
Timeline: 0-2 | Entry Level Base: $36,520 - $45,595/year With equity/bonuses: $40,172 - $54,714 Top markets (SF/NYC): $41,998 - $54,714 Execute core tasks using Speaking under…
Skills used in this career
Click any skill to see how to learn it and what salary boost it gives
Day in Life
Junior vs Senior, daily schedule breakdown
9am, Negotiate and arrange transport of goods with shipping or freight companies. 10am, Determine method of shipment and prepare bills of lading, invoices, and other shipping…
Income Dynamics
Conservative and aggressive scenarios for 10–15 years
Year 1: Entry level $25,564 - $41,036 Year 2-3: Junior level $45,595 - $51,937 Year 4-6: Mid level $51,937 - $56,310 Year 7-10: Senior level $56,310 - $66,932 Year 10+:…
Is this for me?
15 questions, answer honestly
You find the craft of a Cargo and Freight Agent genuinely interesting, not just a paycheck You enjoy working with Speaking and Active Listening You communicate clearly with…
💰 Salary Range
BLS OEWS, May 2023Half of U.S. workers in this occupation earn more than this, half earn less.
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Related Reading
Related Holland / RIASEC Types