Cargo and Freight Agents

Career Overview

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.

Also Known As

• Air Export Specialist
• Drop Shipment Clerk
• Logistics Coordinator
• Logistics Service Representative

Alternate Job Titles

• Air Export Coordinator
• Air Export Specialist
• Air Freight Coordinator
• Cargo Agent
• Cargo Customer Service Agent (Cargo CS Agent)
• Cargo Router
• Cargo Warehouse Agent
• Container Coordinator
• Drop Shipment Clerk
• Export Compliance Specialist
• Export Coordinator
• Export Specialist
• Freight Agent
• Freight Booker
• Freight Broker

What You'll Do

In this role, your typical responsibilities include:

• 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.
• Keep records of all goods shipped, received, and stored.
• Notify consignees, passengers, or customers of freight or baggage arrival and arrange for delivery.

Knowledge You'll Use

You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:

• Transportation
• Geography
• Public Safety and Security
• English Language
• Administration and Management

Essential Skills

Success in this career requires strong skills in:

1. Speaking

Key Abilities

This career requires key abilities in:

• Oral Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Written Comprehension
• Near Vision
• Written Expression
• Problem Sensitivity
• Category Flexibility
• Speech Recognition
• Selective Attention
• Speech Clarity

Work Style

People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:

• Dependability
• Attention to Detail
• Integrity
• Adaptability
• Cooperation

What Matters in This Career

This career tends to satisfy these work values:

• Relationships
• Support
• Independence
• Achievement
• Working Conditions

Education & Preparation

Typical Education: Bachelor's Degree

On-the-Job Training: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months

Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.

Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.

Technology You'll Use

Popular Technologies & Software

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Office software
• Microsoft Outlook
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Word
• SAP software

Tools & Equipment

• Crow bars
• Desktop computers
• Electrical power unit
• Forklifts
• Hammers
• Hand trucks
• Laser facsimile machines
• Laser printers
• Mobile air-conditioning units
• Radio frequency identification RFID scanners
• Staple guns
• Steel cutters
• Straight trucks
• Strapping machines
• Tow tractors

Work Environment

• Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
• Telephone Conversations
• Contact With Others
• Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
• Spend Time Sitting

Salary & Job Market

Salary Percentile	Annual Wage
Entry-Level (10th percentile)	$37,240
Median	$49,900
Top Earners (90th percentile)	$76,350

Workers Employed Nationally: 97,800

Related Careers

If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:

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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.