CFChooseField
Office and Administration

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.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Cargo and Freight Agents
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Median pay

$49,900
Median annual pay for Cargo and Freight Agents.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

8.5%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

8,800
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

100,600
Estimated U.S. employment for Cargo and Freight Agents in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

+8,600
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

High school diploma or equivalent
Typical additional preparation: Short-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Speaking
  2. 2Active Listening
  3. 3Critical Thinking
  4. 4Reading Comprehension
  5. 5Monitoring
  6. 6Writing

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Transportation
  2. 2Geography
  3. 3Public Safety and Security
  4. 4English Language
  5. 5Administration and Management
  6. 6Education and Training

Abilities

  1. 1Oral Comprehension
  2. 2Oral Expression
  3. 3Written Comprehension
  4. 4Near Vision
  5. 5Problem Sensitivity
  6. 6Written Expression

Career interests

  1. 1Conventional
  2. 2Enterprising
  3. 3Realistic
  4. 4Social
  5. 5Investigative
  6. 6Artistic

Work styles

  1. 1Dependability
  2. 2Attention to Detail
  3. 3Integrity
  4. 4Adaptability
  5. 5Cooperation
  6. 6Cautiousness

Work activities

  1. 1Getting Information
  2. 2Documenting/Recording Information
  3. 3Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  4. 4Handling and Moving Objects
  5. 5Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
  6. 6Controlling Machines and Processes

Work context

  1. 1Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  2. 2Telephone Conversations
  3. 3Contact With Others
  4. 4Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
  5. 5E-Mail
  6. 6Spend Time Sitting

Representative 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.
  • 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.

Software and tools

Microsoft Excel · in demandMicrosoft Office software · in demandMicrosoft Outlook · hot technologyMicrosoft PowerPoint · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technologySAP software · hot technologyBrokerage softwareCorel WordPerfect Office SuiteDatabase softwareEmail softwareMicrosoft OneNotePosting software

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

ChooseField compares fields using public labor-market and professional sources.