Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Short-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Cargo and freight agents help keep goods moving by coordinating shipments and handling logistics details. This occupation offers a national median annual salary of $49,900 and employs about 101,000 people across the country. Employment for cargo and freight agents is projected to grow by 8.5%, with about 9,000 openings each year, indicating a steady flow of opportunities for new and experienced workers. The role typically requires a high school diploma or equivalent, making it accessible to people who do not plan to complete a four-year degree but are ready to build practical skills. The work draws on customer service, communication, math, and problem-solving abilities, as well as attention to detail and physical stamina. Career paths may vary by location, with some states and metro areas offering higher median salaries and stronger opportunity scores. Overall, this career can appeal to individuals who want a stable, logistics-focused role with clear national demand.
The national median annual salary for cargo and freight agents is $49,900, but pay can vary meaningfully by location. Among the top states, Washington and New York show higher median salaries of $60,760 and $60,040, while Massachusetts and California follow closely at $58,680 and $57,690. Colorado’s median salary of $51,390 is closer to the national level. At the metro level, several areas stand out with median salaries above $59,000, including San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA at $60,980, New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ at $60,590, and San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA at $59,610. These figures suggest that choosing where to work can have a significant impact on earning potential. For many workers, the combination of a national median near $50,000 and the possibility of higher pay in certain states and metros can make this an attractive option.
Cargo and freight agents have a national employment base of about 101,000 workers and are projected to see 8.5% employment growth. This projected expansion, combined with an estimated 9,000 annual openings, signals ongoing demand for people entering or advancing in this field. The annual openings number reflects both new positions from growth and opportunities created when workers change roles or leave the occupation. The uniform 8.5% growth rate reported for leading states and metro areas suggests that projected expansion is broadly consistent across many key markets. For students and job seekers, this means there are likely to be opportunities in multiple regions rather than being limited to a few locations. Overall, the combination of an established workforce size, positive projected growth, and a steady stream of annual openings creates a solid outlook for those considering a career as a cargo and freight agent.
Geography plays an important role in the career experience of cargo and freight agents. Among the top states by opportunity score, California leads in employment with 17,060 workers and a median salary of $57,690, paired with an opportunity score of 67.38. New York and Washington offer higher median salaries of $60,040 and $60,760, with opportunity scores of 65.78 and 56.29. Massachusetts and Colorado show more modest employment counts—820 and 850 respectively—but still feature strong opportunity scores above 56. This highlights a tradeoff between larger job markets and smaller but still attractive ones. At the metro level, several areas stand out. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ both post opportunity scores above 77, the highest in the list, along with median salaries near or above $60,000. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA also combines a relatively high salary of $60,980 with an opportunity score of 68.75, while Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH offer solid salaries and mid-60s opportunity scores.
Cargo and freight agents typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, making this career accessible for individuals who want to enter the workforce without pursuing a college degree. Even with this modest formal education requirement, success in the role depends on a well-rounded skill set. Key skills include customer service, speaking and listening, and writing and reading, reflecting the importance of clear communication. Mathematics skills support work that involves numbers and calculations, while detail orientation helps ensure accuracy. Mechanical knowledge, computers and information technology, and physical strength and stamina highlight the practical and sometimes physically demanding aspects of the job. Critical and analytical thinking, along with problem solving and decision making, are also important, indicating that agents are expected to handle issues and make sound judgments. Together, these skills provide a roadmap for students and job seekers who want to prepare effectively for opportunities in this occupation with a high school education as the starting point.
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