Logistics Coordinator
Plan and track how products move from suppliers to customers, on time and on budget.
- $82,320
- 1–4 years
Transportation & Logistics career
Cargo Agent
Also called: Freight Agent · Air Cargo Agent · Freight Forwarder Agent · Shipping Agent
What cargo agents do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a cargo agent do?
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. The median pay is $52,260 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few weeks of training, and employment is projected to grow +6.2% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$52,260$25.13/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+6.2%2025–35, faster than average
- Openings per year9,000Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to trainA few weeks of trainingTypical program length
- U.S. jobs100,300Employment, 2025
What cargo agents do
Cargo agents make freight move. They book shipments, prepare air waybills and bills of lading, weigh and measure cargo, check hazardous materials paperwork, track shipments and answer customer questions.
A high school diploma and short training are typical. BLS projects faster than average growth.
Typical duties
- Book shipments
- Prepare shipping documents
- Weigh and measure cargo
- Check hazmat paperwork
- Track shipments
- Answer customers
- Coordinate with carriers
Work environment and schedule
Agents work at airports, freight terminals, docks and offices.
Schedule: Full time, often shifts.
A day in the life
- Check overnight arrivals.
- Book air freight.
- Weigh and tag cargo.
- Check dangerous goods papers.
See a full day in the life of a cargo agent →
Cargo Agent salary
Half of cargo agents earned more than $52,260 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $38,340 for the lowest 10% to $79,810 for the top 10%.
Full cargo agent pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a cargo agent
- Finish high school
- Get hired at a carrier or forwarder
- Learn documents
- Earn hazmat training
- Advance
A high school diploma and short-term on-the-job training are typical.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a cargo agent →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Shipping documents
- Freight booking
- Hazmat rules
- Weights and dimensions
- Tracking systems
People skills
- Attention to detail
- Communication
- Organization
- Calm under pressure
All cargo agent skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Faster-than-average growth
- No degree needed
- Global trade exposure
- Path to logistics careers
Cons
- Deadline pressure
- Shift work
- Detailed regulations
- Customer pressure
Certifications and licenses
- IATA Dangerous Goods: Air hazmat.
- DOT hazmat training: Ground hazmat.
- Certified Customs Specialist: NCBFAA.
- TSA cargo security training: Required for air.
Career path
- Cargo Agent: Entry.
- Senior Agent: Complex freight.
- Operations Supervisor: Lead.
- Logistics Manager: Run ops.
Learn the job before day one
Our Cargo Agent training (8 hours, $74.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as calculate dimensional weight and check a dangerous goods shipment, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Freight Dispatcher
Plan loads, route drivers and keep freight moving on schedule.
- $50,340
- 1–3 months
Shipping and Receiving Clerk
Track what comes in and goes out of warehouses, stores and plants.
- $45,260
- 1–4 weeks
Aircraft Cargo Supervisor
Lead ramp crews that load cargo and baggage onto aircraft safely and on time.
- $58,170
- Ramp experience plus supervisor training
Compare: Cargo Agent vs. Logistics Coordinator · Cargo Agent vs. Freight Dispatcher · Cargo Agent vs. Shipping Clerk · Cargo Agent vs. Aircraft Cargo Supervisor
Cargo Agent FAQ
Do I need a degree?
No.
Is the job growing?
Yes, BLS projects faster than average growth.
Is hazmat training required?
For handling dangerous goods, yes.
How much does a cargo agent make?
The median annual wage for cargo agents was $52,260 ($25.13 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $38,340 and the highest 10% earned more than $79,810.
How long does it take to become a cargo agent?
Most people need about A few weeks of training of training. A high school diploma and short-term on-the-job training are typical.
Do you need a degree to be a cargo agent?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus short-term on-the-job training.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 43-5011 (Cargo and freight agents).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Cargo and freight agents (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.