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Cargo and Freight Agents

Typical education: Certificate or apprenticeshipModerate pressure Bright Outlook

What they do

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.

Kinds of work

  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.
  • Enterprising: Leading, persuading, selling and starting new projects or businesses.

Moderate pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $52,260 Median per year · $25.13/hr Most earn $38,340–$79,810

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Coordinate and supervise activities of workers engaged in packing and shipping merchandise.
  • Direct delivery trucks to shipping doors or designated marshaling areas and help load and unload goods safely.
  • Determine method of shipment and prepare bills of lading, invoices, and other shipping documents.
  • Inspect and count items received and check them against invoices or other documents, recording shortages and rejecting damaged goods.
  • Maintain a supply of packing materials.
  • Check import or export documentation to determine cargo contents and use tariff coding system to classify goods according to fee or tariff group.

Job outlook

Bright Outlook Rapid Growth

United States
6% more jobs by 2035, faster than average · about 9,000 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Freight transportation arrangement55.6%
  • Couriers and express delivery services9.3%
  • Scheduled air transportation8.5%
  • Support activities for air transportation6.0%
  • Truck transportation4.9%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: None

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Certificate or apprenticeshipExperience before this job: NoneEntry-level

Cargo and freight agent is an entry-level job. Many people start right after high school or a short certificate or apprenticeship, and most need no prior work experience to begin.

  1. High school diploma

    4 years

    Build math, computer, and communication skills, which you will use to read shipping papers, track freight, and talk with customers.

  2. Logistics or shipping certificate, or on-the-job training

    Under 1 year

    Learn how bills of lading, freight tariffs, and cargo routing work, either through a short certificate program or training from an employer.

  3. Cargo and Freight Agent

    Ongoing career

    You arrange pickups, route shipments through airline, trucking, or rail terminals, and prepare bills of lading to set shipping charges.

Where it can lead

  1. Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisor

    1-2 years of experience first

    You move from doing the work to leading a team that loads, unloads, and tracks cargo at an airport, which takes good planning and people skills.

  2. Freight Forwarder

    1-2 years of experience first

    You manage the whole shipment across companies and borders, often needing more knowledge of routes, rules, and paperwork, and many people have a bachelor's degree.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take math and business or economics classesCalculating charges and reading tariffs relies on strong math and an understanding of how businesses work.
  • Take a computer or keyboarding classMost freight work is done on computers, so typing and spreadsheet skills will help you right away.
  • Get a part-time job at a warehouse, store receiving dock, or delivery businessSeeing how goods move and how paperwork is handled gives you real experience to talk about later.
  • Join a DECA, FBLA, or similar business clubThese clubs build customer service, presentation, and teamwork skills that matter in freight sales and coordination.
  • Ask a family member or friend who works in shipping or trucking for an informational interviewHearing about a typical day helps you decide if this career fits your interests.

In college

  • Take courses in logistics, supply chain, or transportationA major or minor in these areas teaches shipping rules, routing, and freight costs that directly apply to this job.
  • Look for an internship with a freight, airline cargo, or logistics companyHands-on terminal or dock experience helps you learn the daily work and makes your résumé stronger.
  • Work a campus job that involves scheduling, inventory, or shippingWorking with the campus bookstore or mailroom builds organization and tracking skills while you study.
  • Consider a logistics or freight certificateA short certificate can show employers you understand bills of lading, tariffs, and shipping documents.
  • Join a supply chain or business student groupClubs and student organizations let you meet people in logistics and practice leadership and communication.

Tips for getting started

  • Ask a local shipping company, airport, or trucking terminal whether they hire part-time or entry-level workers. Real terminal experience is what employers look for.
  • Get comfortable with spreadsheets and basic computer work, since much of the job involves entering shipment details and tracking freight online.
  • Practice clear phone and email writing. You will talk with customers, drivers, and terminal staff every day, so being polite and precise matters.

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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