Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Negotiate and arrange transport of goods with shipping or freight companies.
Determine method of shipment and prepare bills of lading, invoices, and other shipping documents.
Track delivery progress of shipments.
Advise clients on transportation and payment methods.
Estimate freight or postal rates and record shipment costs and weights.
Top skills:SpeakingActive ListeningReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingTime ManagementNegotiation
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Cargo and Freight Agents pay by experience level
Entry level$39,500
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$47,500
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$54,000
Mid-career median pay
Senior$65,500
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$82,500
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
+8.5%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
8,800
projected openings per year
Growing faster than average
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Cargo and Freight Agents salary by industry
Support Activities for Transportation
62,270 workers
$58,000
Freight Transportation Arrangement
53,390 workers
$59,500
Couriers and Messengers
9,770 workers
$60,500
Couriers and Express Delivery Services
9,770 workers
$60,500
Air Transportation
8,880 workers
$58,500
Scheduled Air Transportation
8,440 workers
$58,000
Support Activities for Air Transportation
6,030 workers
$42,000
Truck Transportation
4,990 workers
$63,500
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
3,320 workers
$57,000
Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services
3,290 workers
$56,500
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
How this role compares
Cargo and Freight Agents pays 9% above the average across 55 roles in the Office and Administrative Support job family (family average $54,000).
Similar-paying roles in Office and Administrative Support
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