Cargo and Freight Agent Salary in Chicago, IL
Cargo and Freight Agents in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $59,850 a year — 15% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $47,452 take-home, or $3,954 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median cargo and freight agent salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,002
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,711
- Medicare (1.45%)$868
- Illinois income tax$2,818
- Take-home pay$47,452
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.95% state
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro spans Illinois, Indiana. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Cargo and Freight Agent pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,030 | $19.25 | $32,507 | $2,709 |
| 25th percentile | $48,880 | $23.50 | $39,180 | $3,265 |
| Median (50th) | $59,850 | $28.77 | $47,452 | $3,954 |
| 75th percentile | $62,480 | $30.04 | $49,435 | $4,120 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,580 | $38.74 | $61,674 | $5,140 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $59,850 buys in Chicago, IL
Prices in Chicago, IL are 3.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.12× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median cargo and freight agent's $47,452 take-home pay has the buying power of $45,805 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Chicago, IL has 2.0× the national concentration of cargo and freight agent jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for cargo and freight agents, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #2 of 6 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atlanta, GA | $58,750 | $46,959 | $46,932 |
| 2 | Chicago, IL | $59,850 | $47,452 | $45,805 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $60,590 | $48,189 | $42,811 |
| 4 | Los Angeles, CA | $59,010 | $47,237 | $41,595 |
| 5 | Dallas, TX | $48,690 | $41,302 | $40,064 |
| 6 | Miami, FL | $48,150 | $40,869 | $35,801 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 6 metros →
About the job: 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.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +6.2% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cargo and freight agent make in Chicago, IL?
The median cargo and freight agent salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $59,850 a year, or about $28.77 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $48,880 and $62,480.
What is a cargo and freight agent’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $59,850 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $47,452 a year ($3,954 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,818 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a cargo and freight agent?
Pay here is 15% above the national median of $52,260. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $45,805 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #2 of 6 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a cargo and freight agent afford rent in Chicago, IL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Chicago, IL is $1,534 a month ($1,743 for two bedrooms) — 39% of a median cargo and freight agent’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Chicago, IL
- Executive Secretary and Executive Administrative Assistant — $77,770
- First-Line Supervisor of Office and Administrative Support Workers — $71,730
- Public Safety Telecommunicator — $66,980
- Postal Service Mail Carrier — $63,750
- Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk — $62,920
- Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks — $59,900
- Legal Secretary and Administrative Assistant — $59,490
- File Clerk — $58,320
- Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators — $58,300
- Loan Interviewer and Clerk — $53,870
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks — $51,440
- Insurance Claim and Policy Processing Clerk — $51,280