Cargo and Freight Agent Salary in Washington, DC
Cargo and Freight Agents in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $56,300 a year — 8% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $45,204 take-home, or $3,767 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median cargo and freight agent salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,576
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,491
- Medicare (1.45%)$816
- District of Columbia income tax$2,213
- Take-home pay$45,204
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.50% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Cargo and Freight Agent pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,190 | $19.32 | $33,227 | $2,769 |
| 25th percentile | $44,980 | $21.63 | $36,789 | $3,066 |
| Median (50th) | $56,300 | $27.07 | $45,204 | $3,767 |
| 75th percentile | $61,480 | $29.56 | $49,029 | $4,086 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,750 | $36.90 | $59,268 | $4,939 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $56,300 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median cargo and freight agent's $45,204 take-home pay has the buying power of $41,516 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Cargo and Freight Agent jobs are less concentrated in Washington, DC than nationally (location quotient 0.29), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for cargo and freight agents, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #23 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 |
| 23 | Washington, DC | $56,300 | $45,204 | $41,516 |
*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 Washington, DC?
The median cargo and freight agent salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $56,300 a year, or about $27.07 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $44,980 and $61,480.
What is a cargo and freight agent’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $56,300 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $45,204 a year ($3,767 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,213 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a cargo and freight agent?
Pay here is 8% above the national median of $52,260. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $41,516 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #23 of 41 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a cargo and freight agent afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 53% of a median cargo and freight agent’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
- Executive Secretary and Executive Administrative Assistant — $90,320
- Legal Secretary and Administrative Assistant — $77,220
- First-Line Supervisor of Office and Administrative Support Workers — $76,400
- Brokerage Clerk — $66,860
- Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs — $66,130
- Postal Service Clerk — $64,630
- Postal Service Mail Carrier — $64,250
- Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk — $63,440
- Information and Record Clerks, All Other — $61,760
- Public Safety Telecommunicator — $61,260
- Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks — $60,990
- Procurement Clerk — $60,650