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. 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 called: Air Export Specialist, Drop Shipment Clerk, Freight Broker, Intermodal Dispatcher, International Coordinator, Load Planner, Logistics Coordinator, Logistics Service Representative, Ship Broker, Traffic and Documentation Clerk, Air Export Coordinator, Air Freight Coordinator, Cargo Agent, Cargo Customer Service Agent (Cargo CS Agent), Cargo Router, Cargo Warehouse Agent, Container Coordinator, Export Compliance Specialist, Export Coordinator, Export Specialist, Freight Agent, Freight Booker, Freight Broker Agent, Freight Clerk, Freight Coordinator, Freight Forwarder, Freight Receiver, Freight Representative, Freight Router, Freight Shipping Agent, Freight Specialist, Import Coordinator, Import Customs Clearing Agent, Logistics Assistant, Logistics Clerk, Logistics Technician, Ocean Export Coordinator, Ocean Import Agent, Ocean Import Coordinator, Ocean Import Specialist, Operations Clerk, Receiver, Route Agent, Route Clerk, Shipping Agent, Shipping Coordinator, Shipping Processor, Shipping Specialist, Transportation Agent, Transportation Broker, Transportation Clerk

This is a career information profile, not an advertised job opening.

What the worker does

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.
Retrieve stored items and trace lost shipments as necessary.
Enter shipping information into a computer by hand or by a hand-held scanner that reads bar codes on goods.

Skills, machines and equipment

Speaking
Active Listening
Reading Comprehension
Critical Thinking
Negotiation
Time Management
Writing
Monitoring
Social Perceptiveness
Coordination
Service Orientation
Complex Problem Solving

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: Bachelor's Degree (30.75% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.

O*NET Job Zone 2: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training. 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. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships

Ask an employer or registered apprenticeship sponsor about current programs, eligibility, training and pay. A career profile does not confirm that a program is available.

Salary reference

45,710–63,390 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 43-5011.

Occupational-group wage references are not guaranteed pay for this specialty or an employer's offer.

Career advancement

Develop inventory, scheduling, planning, and supply-chain analysis experience; explore coordinator, planner, or logistics-lead responsibilities.
Ask employers which demonstrated skills, education, or credentials are needed for the next role. Related careers are exploration options, not automatic promotions.

How Do I Get This Job?

Review the skills and responsibilities above.
Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: Bachelor's Degree (30.75% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
O*NET Job Zone 2: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training. 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. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.
Compare real openings and confirm requirements directly with the employer.

View available jobs — availability is not guaranteed; sample listings are not real openings.

Related career information

Sources and limitations

O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. ShopFloor adapted occupational grouping, selected manufacturing-relevant occupations, and retained seven legacy guide titles. Specialties and alternative titles are grouped under O*NET occupations; these occupations can also occur outside manufacturing. Source: https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html. No wage, vacancy, certification, or video data is implied. ShopFloor advancement suggestions are general editorial guidance, not O*NET findings or guaranteed career progression. BLS wage ranges, when available, are national 25th–75th percentiles for the source occupational grouping, across industries; they are not local, apprentice, entry-level, or specialty-specific offers.

Cargo and Freight Agents