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.
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 #6 of 41 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Memphis, TN | $55,930 | $47,120 | $51,118 |
| 2 | Cleveland, OH | $56,060 | $46,465 | $49,471 |
| 3 | Birmingham, AL | $55,700 | $44,415 | $48,465 |
| 4 | Atlanta, GA | $58,750 | $46,959 | $46,932 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $61,860 | $51,885 | $46,687 |
| 6 | Chicago, IL | $59,850 | $47,452 | $45,805 |
| 7 | Charleston, SC | $57,560 | $46,133 | $45,693 |
| 8 | Minneapolis, MN | $59,560 | $47,510 | $45,324 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 41 metros →
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 #6 of 41 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
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- Postal Service Mail Carrier — $63,750
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