How much does a cargo and freight agent make?
The median cargo and freight agent in the United States earns $49,900 per year, about $23.99 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all cargo and freight agents earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 43-5011.
Cargo and freight agent salary range
Pay for cargo and freight agents spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $37,240 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $76,350. The average (mean) wage of $55,420 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $37,240 | $17.90 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $43,490 | $20.91 | |
| Median (50th) | $49,900 | $23.99 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $62,230 | $29.92 | |
| 90th percentile | $76,350 | $36.71 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for cargo and freight agents (SOC 43-5011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Cargo and freight agent salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Cargo and freight agents earn the most in South Dakota at $68,400 a year, and the least in Hawaii at $39,720. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota | $68,400 | 240 |
| New Jersey | $62,860 | 3,140 |
| Montana | $60,660 | 330 |
| Massachusetts | $59,700 | 620 |
| Nebraska | $58,160 | 390 |
| Wisconsin | $57,490 | 1,410 |
| New York | $57,230 | 5,930 |
| California | $56,100 | 14,940 |
| Georgia | $55,710 | 2,910 |
| Utah | $55,220 | 660 |
| Washington | $55,140 | 2,460 |
| Idaho | $53,240 | 150 |
| Alabama | $53,100 | 950 |
| Indiana | $52,040 | 1,660 |
| Rhode Island | $51,990 | N/A |
| New Hampshire | $51,590 | 80 |
| Colorado | $51,430 | 1,050 |
| South Carolina | $51,420 | 2,130 |
| Minnesota | $51,370 | 2,020 |
| Virginia | $50,560 | 1,320 |
| Vermont | $50,530 | 30 |
| Mississippi | $49,950 | 330 |
| Arkansas | $49,210 | N/A |
| Alaska | $49,030 | 520 |
| Kansas | $49,020 | 540 |
| Florida | $48,850 | 6,470 |
| Louisiana | $48,800 | 760 |
| Maine | $48,780 | 230 |
| Nevada | $48,630 | 430 |
| Illinois | $48,420 | 6,820 |
| Oregon | $48,290 | 1,320 |
| North Dakota | $48,010 | 250 |
| Tennessee | $47,950 | 1,660 |
| Ohio | $47,900 | 3,740 |
| Michigan | $47,750 | 2,650 |
| Maryland | $47,460 | 840 |
| North Carolina | $46,880 | 3,710 |
| Texas | $46,580 | 9,460 |
| Iowa | $46,120 | 710 |
| Pennsylvania | $46,080 | 2,360 |
| Oklahoma | $45,620 | 220 |
| Kentucky | $45,100 | 2,050 |
| New Mexico | $44,770 | 140 |
| Arizona | $42,640 | 3,050 |
| Hawaii | $39,720 | 1,900 |
State median wages for cargo and freight agents (SOC 43-5011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for cargo and freight agents
The BLS projects employment of cargo and freight agents to grow 6.2% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 100,300 jobs in 2025 moving toward 106,400 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 9,000 openings a year for cargo and freight agents. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a cargo and freight agent
The typical entry-level education for cargo and freight agents is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a cargo and freight agent earns
Employer, industry, seniority, and metro area drive pay. Large organizations and high cost cities pay above small offices and entry-level roles.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (South Dakota, $68,400) and the lowest (Hawaii, $39,720) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 97,800 people work as cargo and freight agents in the United States. At $49,900 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Cargo and freight agent salary FAQ
How much does a cargo and freight agent make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a cargo and freight agent is $23.99. The middle half of cargo and freight agents earn between $20.91 and $29.92 per hour.
What is the highest cargo and freight agent salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of cargo and freight agents earn more than $76,350 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a cargo and freight agent make a year?
The median annual salary for a cargo and freight agent is $49,900. The average (mean) wage of $55,420 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a cargo and freight agent a well paid job?
At $49,900 a year, a cargo and freight agent earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 97,800 people work as cargo and freight agents in the United States.
Which state pays cargo and freight agents the most?
South Dakota has the highest median salary for cargo and freight agents at $68,400 a year. New Jersey ($62,860) and Montana ($60,660) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a cargo and freight agent a good career?
Employment of cargo and freight agents is projected to grow 6.2% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 9,000 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a cargo and freight agent?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for cargo and freight agents as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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