Description

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.

Interests

Conventional
Enterprising

Learn More about Interests

Work Values

Relationships
Support
Independence

Learn More about Work Values

Work Styles

Attention to Detail
Stress Tolerance
Adaptability/Flexibility
Dependability
Independence

Learn More about Work Styles

Tasks

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.

Work Activities

Getting Information
Documenting/Recording Information
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Handling and Moving Objects
Communicating with People Outside the Organization

Detailed Work Activities

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Technology Skills

Electronic mail software
Word processing software
Mobile location based services software
Office suite software
Spreadsheet software

Abilities

Oral Comprehension
Oral Expression
Written Comprehension
Near Vision
Problem Sensitivity

Skills

Speaking
Active Listening
Critical Thinking
Reading Comprehension
Negotiation

Knowledge

Transportation
Geography
Public Safety and Security
English Language
Administration and Management

Most Common Education Level

The “Most Common Education Level” refers to the level of education held by the majority of workers in a given occupation. For example, if the highest percentage of workers in a role have an Associate’s Degree, that suggests this is the typical educational requirement. Knowing this helps you plan how many years of education you may need to pursue that career.

Certificates

These are the certification(s) applicable to Cargo and Freight Agents:

Certificate name

Certified in Logistics,Transportation and Distribution

Certifying Organization

American Society of Transportation and Logistics

Type

Core

Certificate name

Certified in Production and Inventory Management

Certifying Organization

American Society of Transportation and Logistics

Type

Core

Certificate name

Certified Supply Chain Professional

Certifying Organization

American Society of Transportation and Logistics

Type

Advanced

Certificate name

Certified Customs Specialist

Certifying Organization

The National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America

Type

Core

Certificate name

Certified Benefits Professional

Certifying Organization

WorldatWork

Type

Core

Certificate name	Certifying Organization	Type
Certified in Logistics,Transportation and Distribution	American Society of Transportation and Logistics	Core
Certified in Production and Inventory Management	American Society of Transportation and Logistics	Core
Certified Supply Chain Professional	American Society of Transportation and Logistics	Advanced
Certified Customs Specialist	The National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America	Core
Certified Benefits Professional	WorldatWork	Core

Income Percentile

The income percentiles show how earnings are distributed within a profession. The 10th percentile means that 10% of workers earned less than that amount. The median (50th percentile) indicates that half of workers earned more, and half earned less. The 90th percentile reflects what the top 10% of earners in the field make.

Income Percentile	Annual Income
Low (10%)	$38,882
Median (50%)	$52,607
High (90%)	$70,520

Income by Experience

This table shows how income typically grows with experience—from entry level (0–2 years), to mid-level (3–5 years), to senior level (6–8 years), to expert level (8+ years).

Experience	Income
Entry Level	$47,629
Mid Level	$62,064
Senior Level	$68,970
Expert Level	$101,983

Employability

There are currently 106,700 jobs in this career path. Over the next 10 years, that number is expected to increase to 117,000 positions, reflecting a projected growth of 10%.

The Projected Job Growth figure refers to the expected increase or decrease in employment within a specific career field over a certain period of time.

Projected Job Growth of 10%

Related Careers

Customs Brokers

Median Annual Income

$77,218

Projected Job Growth

+5 %

Career Cluster(s)

Public Service & Safety

Most Common Education Level

Bachelor's degree

Prepare customs documentation and ensure that shipments meet all applicable laws to facilitate the import and export of goods. Determine and track duties and taxes payable and process payments on behalf of client. Sign documents under a power of attorney. Represent clients in meetings with customs officials and apply for duty refunds and tariff reclassifications. Coordinate transportation and storage of imported goods.

ConventionalEnterprising

Order Clerks

Median Annual Income

$42,675

Projected Job Growth

-18 %

Career Cluster(s)

Management & Entrepreneurship

Most Common Education Level

Some college, no degree

Receive and process incoming orders for materials, merchandise, classified ads, or services such as repairs, installations, or rental of facilities. Generally receives orders via mail, phone, fax, or other electronic means. Duties include informing customers of receipt, prices, shipping dates, and delays; preparing contracts; and handling complaints.

ConventionalEnterprising

Freight Forwarders

Median Annual Income

$52,607

Projected Job Growth

+10 %

Career Cluster(s)

Supply Chain & Transportation

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Research rates, routings, or modes of transport for shipment of products. Maintain awareness of regulations affecting the international movement of cargo. Make arrangements for additional services, such as storage or inland transportation.

ConventionalEnterprisingRealistic

Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance

Median Annual Income

$48,148

Projected Job Growth

0 %

Career Cluster(s)

Public Service & Safety

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Schedule and dispatch workers, work crews, equipment, or service vehicles for conveyance of materials, freight, or passengers, or for normal installation, service, or emergency repairs rendered outside the place of business. Duties may include using radio, telephone, or computer to transmit assignments and compiling statistics and reports on work progress.

ConventionalRealistic

Postal Service Clerks

Median Annual Income

$59,788

Projected Job Growth

-3 %

Career Cluster(s)

Public Service & Safety

Most Common Education Level

No formal educational credential

Perform any combination of tasks in a United States Postal Service (USPS) post office, such as receive letters and parcels; sell postage and revenue stamps, postal cards, and stamped envelopes; fill out and sell money orders; place mail in pigeon holes of mail rack or in bags; and examine mail for correct postage. Includes postal service clerks employed by USPS contractors.

ConventionalRealistic

Postal Service Mail Carriers

Median Annual Income

$58,262

Projected Job Growth

-3 %

Career Cluster(s)

Public Service & Safety

Most Common Education Level

No formal educational credential

Sort and deliver mail for the United States Postal Service (USPS). Deliver mail on established route by vehicle or on foot. Includes postal service mail carriers employed by USPS contractors.

ConventionalRealistic

Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators

Median Annual Income

$54,464

Projected Job Growth

-8 %

Career Cluster(s)

Public Service & Safety

Most Common Education Level

No formal educational credential

Prepare incoming and outgoing mail for distribution for the United States Postal Service (USPS). Examine, sort, and route mail. Load, operate, and occasionally adjust and repair mail processing, sorting, and canceling machinery. Keep records of shipments, pouches, and sacks, and perform other duties related to mail handling within the postal service. Includes postal service mail sorters and processors employed by USPS contractors.

ConventionalRealistic

Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks

Median Annual Income

$41,312

Projected Job Growth

-8 %

Career Cluster(s)

Supply Chain & Transportation

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Verify and maintain records on incoming and outgoing shipments involving inventory. Duties include verifying and recording incoming merchandise or material and arranging for the transportation of products. May prepare items for shipment.

ConventionalRealisticEnterprising

Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors

Median Annual Income

$63,940

Projected Job Growth

+8 %

Career Cluster(s)

Supply Chain & Transportation

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Supervise and coordinate the activities of ground crew in the loading, unloading, securing, and staging of aircraft cargo or baggage. May determine the quantity and orientation of cargo and compute aircraft center of gravity. May accompany aircraft as member of flight crew and monitor and handle cargo in flight, and assist and brief passengers on safety and emergency procedures. Includes loadmasters.

EnterprisingConventionalRealistic

Light Truck Drivers

Median Annual Income

$43,262

Projected Job Growth

+9 %

Career Cluster(s)

Supply Chain & Transportation

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Drive a light vehicle, such as a truck or van, with a capacity of less than 26,001 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), primarily to pick up merchandise or packages from a distribution center and deliver. May load and unload vehicle.

RealisticConventional

The career information and data on this site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services, Lightcast, CareerOneStop, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For more details regarding the data sources and the specific information sourced, click here.