Cargo and Freight Agent Salary in Los Angeles, CA
Cargo and Freight Agents in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area earn a median $59,010 a year — 13% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $47,237 take-home, or $3,936 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median cargo and freight agent salary in Los Angeles, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,901
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,659
- Medicare (1.45%)$856
- California income tax$1,590
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$767
- Take-home pay$47,237
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Cargo and Freight Agent pay by experience in Los Angeles, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,670 | $19.07 | $32,963 | $2,747 |
| 25th percentile | $48,330 | $23.24 | $39,436 | $3,286 |
| Median (50th) | $59,010 | $28.37 | $47,237 | $3,936 |
| 75th percentile | $74,560 | $35.85 | $57,561 | $4,797 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,880 | $39.37 | $61,983 | $5,165 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $59,010 buys in Los Angeles, CA
Prices in Los Angeles, CA are 13.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.70× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median cargo and freight agent's $47,237 take-home pay has the buying power of $41,595 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Los Angeles, CA has 2.7× 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
Los Angeles, CA ranks #4 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 Los Angeles, CA?
The median cargo and freight agent salary in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area is $59,010 a year, or about $28.37 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $48,330 and $74,560.
What is a cargo and freight agent’s take-home pay in Los Angeles, CA?
On the median $59,010 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $47,237 a year ($3,936 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,357 in California taxes in 2026.
Is Los Angeles, CA a good place to work as a cargo and freight agent?
Pay here is 13% above the national median of $52,260. Local prices are 13.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $41,595 would in a typical U.S. city. Los Angeles, CA ranks #4 of 6 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a cargo and freight agent afford rent in Los Angeles, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Los Angeles, CA is $2,245 a month ($2,755 for two bedrooms) — 57% of a median cargo and freight agent’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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