Cargo and Freight Agent Salary
Cargo and Freight Agents earn a median $52,260 a year nationally. Office and Administrative Support Occupations
What cargo and freight agents do
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)
- Openings per year
- 9,000
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. About 9,000 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Cargo and Freight Agent take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,091
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,240
- Medicare (1.45%)$758
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$44,171
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,340 | $18.43 | $32,986 |
| 25th percentile | $45,710 | $21.98 | $38,908 |
| Median (50th) | $52,260 | $25.13 | $44,171 |
| 75th percentile | $63,390 | $30.48 | $53,114 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,810 | $38.37 | $64,976 |
Best cities for cargo and freight agents (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atlanta, GA | $58,750 | $46,959 | $46,932 | 2,680 |
| 2 | Chicago, IL | $59,850 | $47,452 | $45,805 | 5,630 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $60,590 | $48,189 | $42,811 | 7,820 |
| 4 | Los Angeles, CA | $59,010 | $47,237 | $41,595 | 10,490 |
| 5 | Dallas, TX | $48,690 | $41,302 | $40,064 | 2,570 |
| 6 | Miami, FL | $48,150 | $40,869 | $35,801 | 4,620 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- New York, NY — $60,590
- Chicago, IL — $59,850
- Los Angeles, CA — $59,010
- Atlanta, GA — $58,750
- Dallas, TX — $48,690
- Miami, FL — $48,150
Cargo and Freight Agent salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $76,250 | — | $58,959 | $53,490 – $84,700 | 60 |
| New Hampshire | $67,660 | +31.1% | $56,429 | $41,190 – $85,140 | 80 |
| South Dakota | $64,340 | −5.9% | $53,877 | $49,730 – $80,160 | 200 |
| Nebraska | $62,500 | +7.5% | $50,435 | $40,630 – $82,200 | 390 |
| Washington | $60,760 | +10.2% | $51,001 | $48,330 – $82,290 | 2,410 |
| Rhode Island | $60,310 | +16.0% | $48,994 | $39,530 – $91,650 | 140 |
| New Jersey | $60,210 | −4.2% | $48,780 | $47,630 – $77,750 | 4,280 |
| New York | $60,040 | +4.9% | $47,777 | $40,590 – $82,820 | 5,760 |
| Illinois | $59,750 | +23.4% | $47,376 | $40,030 – $80,580 | 6,110 |
| Montana | $59,240 | −2.3% | $47,752 | $39,380 – $80,270 | 370 |
| Massachusetts | $58,680 | −1.7% | $46,615 | $49,240 – $75,860 | 820 |
| Minnesota | $58,650 | +14.2% | $46,840 | $46,790 – $74,480 | 1,380 |
| California | $57,690 | +2.8% | $46,273 | $38,430 – $83,060 | 17,060 |
| Wisconsin | $57,290 | −0.3% | $46,473 | $40,010 – $74,160 | 1,280 |
| South Carolina | $57,000 | +10.9% | $45,717 | $46,220 – $77,530 | 1,540 |
| Alabama | $54,890 | +3.4% | $43,805 | $40,040 – $83,510 | 1,020 |
| North Dakota | $54,230 | +13.0% | $45,754 | $38,530 – $98,960 | 380 |
| Utah | $52,770 | −4.4% | $43,172 | $37,370 – $92,670 | 590 |
| Alaska | $52,070 | +6.2% | $44,018 | $43,740 – $80,170 | 580 |
| Tennessee | $51,800 | +8.0% | $43,801 | $36,720 – $85,560 | 3,390 |
| Colorado | $51,390 | −0.1% | $41,919 | $43,940 – $72,760 | 850 |
| Georgia | $51,380 | −7.8% | $41,420 | $31,440 – $75,880 | 3,630 |
| Missouri | $50,840 | — | $41,578 | $33,660 – $81,770 | 1,410 |
| Arkansas | $50,500 | +2.6% | $41,000 | $31,350 – $67,460 | — |
| Maine | $50,340 | +3.2% | $40,412 | $45,520 – $67,100 | 190 |
| Indiana | $50,020 | −3.9% | $40,925 | $37,710 – $85,130 | 1,200 |
| Oklahoma | $49,940 | +9.5% | $40,605 | $31,200 – $80,620 | 300 |
| Mississippi | $49,920 | −0.1% | $41,026 | $35,360 – $70,530 | 260 |
| Arizona | $49,880 | +17.0% | $41,220 | $36,950 – $70,010 | 1,840 |
| Virginia | $49,680 | −1.7% | $40,055 | $40,190 – $75,010 | 1,280 |
| Pennsylvania | $49,590 | +7.6% | $40,503 | $36,900 – $81,970 | 2,810 |
| Ohio | $49,530 | +3.4% | $41,398 | $39,200 – $80,680 | 2,840 |
| Oregon | $49,420 | +2.3% | $38,394 | $43,730 – $74,560 | 1,290 |
| West Virginia | $49,100 | — | $40,151 | $36,920 – $75,650 | 130 |
| Louisiana | $48,940 | +0.3% | $40,421 | $27,230 – $73,360 | 840 |
| New Mexico | $48,910 | +9.2% | $40,343 | $38,190 – $81,180 | 110 |
| Maryland | $48,730 | +2.7% | $39,384 | $35,230 – $70,580 | 740 |
| Florida | $48,520 | −0.7% | $41,166 | $37,990 – $75,610 | 8,110 |
| Texas | $48,470 | +4.1% | $41,126 | $35,480 – $73,120 | 7,610 |
| Iowa | $48,370 | +4.9% | $39,859 | $38,610 – $75,300 | 660 |
| North Carolina | $48,000 | +2.4% | $39,342 | $35,990 – $68,410 | 2,520 |
| Michigan | $47,940 | +0.4% | $38,913 | $38,950 – $71,950 | 2,150 |
| Vermont | $47,560 | −5.9% | $39,235 | $42,160 – $61,320 | 80 |
| Nevada | $47,000 | −3.4% | $39,945 | $38,360 – $70,960 | 490 |
| Kentucky | $46,230 | +2.5% | $37,825 | $39,280 – $75,320 | 2,570 |
| Idaho | $45,710 | −14.1% | $37,594 | $39,830 – $71,170 | 300 |
| Kansas | $42,500 | −13.3% | $34,757 | $26,050 – $60,480 | 890 |
| Hawaii | $42,400 | +6.7% | $34,512 | $34,540 – $68,380 | 1,760 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Safety Telecommunicator | $53,040 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.7% |
| Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance | $50,340 | High school diploma or equivalent | -0.7% |
| Meter Readers, Utilities | $48,150 | High school diploma or equivalent | -10.5% |
| Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping | $46,380 | High school diploma or equivalent | -4.8% |
| Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators | $58,470 | No formal educational credential | -5.3% |
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $45,260 | High school diploma or equivalent | -7.6% |
| Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks | $59,650 | High school diploma or equivalent | -1.3% |
| Postal Service Mail Carrier | $60,550 | No formal educational credential | -0.3% |
| Postal Service Clerk | $62,130 | No formal educational credential | -0.3% |
| Courier and Messenger | $39,200 | High school diploma or equivalent | +8.0% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cargo and freight agent make?
The national median salary for cargo and freight agents is $52,260 a year ($25.13 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $38,340 and the top 10% earn over $79,810. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays cargo and freight agents the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median pay at $76,250. After taxes and local prices, Atlanta, GA offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many cargo and freight agents are there in the U.S.?
About 97,670 people work as cargo and freight agents nationwide.