Office & Administrative Support
Cargo and Freight Agents
Also called: Air Export Specialist, Drop Shipment Clerk, Freight Broker, Intermodal Dispatcher
US median pay
$52,260
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+6.2%
faster than average
Openings a year (US)
9,000
100,300 employed
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
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.
What they do day to day
- 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.
- Prepare manifests showing numbers of airplane passengers and baggage, mail, and freight weights, transmitting data to destinations.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Time Management3.1/5
- Negotiation3.1/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.0/5
- Service Orientation3.0/5
- Coordination3.0/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.0/5
- Persuasion2.9/5
- Judgment and Decision Making2.8/5
Knowledge
- Transportation4.6/5
- Geography4.5/5
- Public Safety and Security4.0/5
- English Language3.9/5
- Administration and Management3.9/5
- Education and Training3.5/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 2 of 5 — Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma; some previous work experience or training helps.
Typical entry education (BLS): High school diploma or equivalent.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Bachelor's degree31%
- Some college19%
- Associate's degree18%
Who this job suits
Mostly Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Enterprising
Leading, persuading and starting things
Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.