Career comparison
Cargo Agent vs. Logistics Coordinator
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Logistics coordinators earn more at the median ($82,320 vs. $52,260), while cargo agents usually get to work faster (A few weeks of training of training). Cargo agents arrange and track freight shipments by air, truck, rail and ship. Logistics coordinators plan and track how products move from suppliers to customers, on time and on budget.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Cargo Agent | Logistics Coordinator | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $52,260 ($25.13/hr) | $82,320 ($39.58/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $38,340 – $79,810 | $50,890 – $133,160 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +6.2% (faster than average) | +17.6% (much faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 9,000 | 26,600 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | A few weeks of training | 1–4 years |
| Key credential | IATA Dangerous Goods | CLTD (ASCM) |
| Work setting | Agents work at airports, freight terminals, docks and offices.. | Logistics coordinators work in offices at manufacturers, retailers, distributors, 3PLs, freight brokers and government agencies, sometimes visiting warehouses. |
What each job does
Cargo Agent
- Book shipments
- Prepare shipping documents
- Weigh and measure cargo
- Check hazmat paperwork
- Track shipments
Logistics Coordinator
- Schedule and book shipments with carriers
- Track shipments and update customers and teams
- Coordinate with warehouses, suppliers and customers
- Prepare and review shipping documents
- Resolve delays, damages and billing discrepancies
How they’re similar
Both careers involve working with information, a fast pace, and in-demand. Both are part of the transportation & logistics field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose cargo agent if…
- I like logistics
- I’m detail-oriented
- I work well under deadlines
Choose logistics coordinator if…
- I like solving problems and juggling details
- I stay calm when plans fall apart
- I’m comfortable on the phone and email all day
Still torn? Take the Cargo Agent fit quiz and the Logistics Coordinator fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, cargo agent or logistics coordinator?
Logistics Coordinators earn more at the median: $82,320 versus $52,260 for cargo agents, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Cargo Agents typically train faster (A few weeks of training) than logistics coordinators (1–4 years).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects logistics coordinators to grow +17.6% from 2025–35, compared with +6.2% for cargo agents.