How much does a freight agent make?
a year · about $25 an hour
A typical freight agent in the United States makes $52,260 a year, about $25 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They check orders, choose carriers and routes, record weights and costs, and prepare shipping papers. Then they track loads, update customers, and coordinate loading at a terminal or shipping dock.
Did you know? A freight agent’s manifest can list not just cargo, but also airplane passengers, baggage, and mail—and their weights.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $38,340 and $79,810How do you become one?
A high school diploma or GED is the usual entry point, and related work experience is not typically required; BLS lists short-term on-the-job training. You can learn in an entry-level job or choose a registered apprenticeship with 2,000–4,000 hours of on-the-job training.
School needed: High school plus some training
Good for people who like keeping things organized and leading and selling
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, freight agents with more experience, useful certificates, or harder, more responsible duties may earn more. Pay also varies by employer industry and location; hours and overtime or shift premiums can change total pay.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Washington ($60,760), lowest in Hawaii ($42,400).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $38,340 | $52,260 | $79,810 | about 98,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $60,760 | about 2,000 |
| New Jersey | $60,210 | about 4,000 |
| New York | $60,040 | about 6,000 |
| Illinois | $59,750 | about 6,000 |
| Massachusetts | $58,680 | about 820 |
Official definition: Expedite and route movement of incoming and outgoing cargo and freight shipments in airline, train, and trucking terminals and shipping docks. Take orders from customers and arrange pickup of freight and cargo for delivery to loading platform. Prepare and examine bills of lading to determine shipping charges and tariffs.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes435011.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/details/43-5011.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- apprenticeships.urban.org/sites/default/files/2025-02/Cargo_and_Freight_Agent_Na
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY