Cargo and Freight Agents: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Cargo and Freight Agents fall under the Office and Administrative Support category in the U.S. occupational classification. Cargo and Freight Agents earn a median salary of $52,260 per year, ranking in the top 62% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +6.2% job growth through 2035, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Entry into this field typically requires a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, certifications, or postsecondary credentials, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do cargo and freight agents earn?

The median annual wage for cargo and freight agents is $52,260. That puts cargo and freight agents at #511 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is around or below the U.S. median for individual workers, so career growth often depends on advancement into supervisory roles, specialization, or additional credentials. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is cargo and freight agents a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for cargo and freight agents is +6.2%, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 100K positions in 2024 to 106K in 2034, a net change of 6K. Average growth signals a healthy, resilient occupation that mirrors broader U.S. employment trends. Job availability tends to track regional economic conditions.

What do cargo and freight agents do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working cargo and freight agents, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Advise clients on transportation and payment methods.
2. 2.Track delivery progress of shipments.
3. 3.Determine method of shipment and prepare bills of lading, invoices, and other shipping documents.
4. 4.Enter shipping information into a computer by hand or by a hand-held scanner that reads bar codes on goods.
5. 5.Keep records of all goods shipped, received, and stored.
6. 6.Notify consignees, passengers, or customers of freight or baggage arrival and arrange for delivery.
7. 7.Retrieve stored items and trace lost shipments as necessary.
8. 8.Estimate freight or postal rates and record shipment costs and weights.

Top skills for cargo and freight agents

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become cargo and freight agent?

Many cargo and freight agents enter the field with a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, though employers increasingly favor candidates with certifications or some postsecondary coursework. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• Proofreaders and Copy Markers
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• Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping
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• Procurement Clerks
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• Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance
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• Statistical Assistants
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Common questions parents ask about cargo and freight agents