Career comparison
Cargo Agent vs. Reservation Agent
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Cargo agents earn more at the median ($52,260 vs. $44,390), while reservation 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. Reservation agents book trips, sell tickets and help travelers at airports, stations and call centers.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Cargo Agent | Reservation Agent | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $52,260 ($25.13/hr) | $44,390 ($21.34/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $38,340 – $79,810 | $32,140 – $78,150 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +6.2% (faster than average) | +2.5% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 9,000 | 11,800 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | A few weeks of training | A few weeks of training |
| Key credential | IATA Dangerous Goods | Airline agent training |
| Work setting | Agents work at airports, freight terminals, docks and offices.. | Agents work at airports, stations, call centers and from home.. |
What each job does
Cargo Agent
- Book shipments
- Prepare shipping documents
- Weigh and measure cargo
- Check hazmat paperwork
- Track shipments
Reservation Agent
- Book reservations
- Sell tickets
- Check in passengers
- Handle bags
- Rebook travelers
How they’re similar
Both careers involve a fast pace and shift work. 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 reservation agent if…
- I like helping travelers
- I stay calm with upset people
- I can work odd hours
Still torn? Take the Cargo Agent fit quiz and the Reservation Agent fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, cargo agent or reservation agent?
Cargo Agents earn more at the median: $52,260 versus $44,390 for reservation agents, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Reservation Agents typically train faster (A few weeks of training) than cargo agents (A few weeks of training).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects cargo agents to grow +6.2% from 2025–35, compared with +2.5% for reservation agents.