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. 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.
- O*NET-SOC code
43-5011.00 - Preparation Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
Wages
Median annual wage, U.S.$52,260
Employment, U.S.97,670
Median hourly wage$25.13
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $38,340 | $45,710 | $52,260 | $63,390 | $79,810 |
By state (50)
| State | Employment | Median annual | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 1,020 | $54,890 | 0.77 |
| Alaska | 580 | $52,070 | 2.84 |
| Arizona | 1,840 | $49,880 | 0.90 |
| Arkansas | $50,500 | ||
| California | 17,060 | $57,690 | 1.49 |
| Colorado | 850 | $51,390 | 0.47 |
| Connecticut | 560 | Not available | 0.53 |
| District of Columbia | 60 | $76,250 | 0.13 |
| Florida | 8,110 | $48,520 | 1.30 |
| Georgia | 3,630 | $51,380 | 1.18 |
| Hawaii | 1,760 | $42,400 | 4.45 |
| Idaho | 300 | $45,710 | 0.57 |
| Illinois | 6,110 | $59,750 | 1.60 |
| Indiana | 1,200 | $50,020 | 0.60 |
| Iowa | 660 | $48,370 | 0.67 |
| Kansas | 890 | $42,500 | 0.99 |
| Kentucky | 2,570 | $46,230 | 2.04 |
| Louisiana | 840 | $48,940 | 0.69 |
| Maine | 190 | $50,340 | 0.48 |
| Maryland | 740 | $48,730 | 0.43 |
| Massachusetts | 820 | $58,680 | 0.36 |
| Michigan | 2,150 | $47,940 | 0.78 |
| Minnesota | 1,380 | $58,650 | 0.74 |
| Mississippi | 260 | $49,920 | 0.36 |
| Missouri | 1,410 | $50,840 | 0.76 |
| Montana | 370 | $59,240 | 1.16 |
| Nebraska | 390 | $62,500 | 0.60 |
| Nevada | 490 | $47,000 | 0.51 |
| New Hampshire | 80 | $67,660 | 0.20 |
| New Jersey | 4,280 | $60,210 | 1.59 |
| New Mexico | 110 | $48,910 | 0.20 |
| New York | 5,760 | $60,040 | 0.95 |
| North Carolina | 2,520 | $48,000 | 0.81 |
| North Dakota | 380 | $54,230 | 1.40 |
| Ohio | 2,840 | $49,530 | 0.82 |
| Oklahoma | 300 | $49,940 | 0.28 |
| Oregon | 1,290 | $49,420 | 1.04 |
| Pennsylvania | 2,810 | $49,590 | 0.74 |
| Rhode Island | 140 | $60,310 | 0.43 |
| South Carolina | 1,540 | $57,000 | 1.06 |
| South Dakota | 200 | $64,340 | 0.68 |
| Tennessee | 3,390 | $51,800 | 1.64 |
| Texas | 7,610 | $48,470 | 0.86 |
| Utah | 590 | $52,770 | 0.54 |
| Vermont | 80 | $47,560 | 0.43 |
| Virginia | 1,280 | $49,680 | 0.50 |
| Washington | 2,410 | $60,760 | 1.08 |
| West Virginia | 130 | $49,100 | 0.29 |
| Wisconsin | 1,280 | $57,290 | 0.69 |
| Wyoming | 160 | Not available | 0.92 |
Similar occupations
Similarity is our measure: the cosine of importance x level over all 120 O*NET skills, knowledge areas and abilities. It is not an O*NET finding. More.
Circles are the 20 most similar occupations, coloured by Job Zone. Lines join pairs where one is among the other's 10 most similar; darker lines are pairs O*NET also lists as related. Drag a circle to move it out of the way; select one to open it.
| # | Occupation | Job Zone | Similarity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Freight Forwarders | 1-2 | 0.951 |
| 2 | Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers | 4 | 0.944 |
| 3 | Logisticians | 4 | 0.939 |
| 4 | First-Line Supervisors of Passenger Attendants | 3 | 0.937 |
| 5 | Airfield Operations Specialists | 3 | 0.936 |
| 6 | Postmasters and Mail Superintendents | 1-2 | 0.933 |
| 7 | Customs Brokers | 3 | 0.931 |
| 8 | Transportation Inspectors | 4 | 0.927 |
| 9 | First-Line Supervisors of Material-Moving Machine and Vehicle Operators | 3 | 0.925 |
| 10 | Emergency Management Directors | 4 | 0.924 |
One skill away
Among the 50 occupations most similar to Cargo and Freight Agents, those at the same Job Zone or lower, where exactly one skill rated at least 3 in importance needs a level more than 0.75 points higher (on O*NET's 0-7 level scale). Our definition. Change the thresholds.
| Occupation | Skill to build | Level gap | Similarity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks | Active Listening | 1.00 | 0.919 |
| Parts Salespersons | Active Listening | 0.88 | 0.898 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | Learning Strategies | 1.24 | 0.895 |
Software to learn next
Software used by at least 3 of the 20 occupations most similar to Cargo and Freight Agents, excluding software Cargo and Freight Agents already lists and any you named. Ranked by how many of them use it, weighted by how much more common it is among them than across all occupations (lift). Our ranking.
| Software | Similar jobs using it | Lift |
|---|---|---|
| Warehouse management system WMS | 5 of 20 | 12.8x |
| Microsoft Access | 15 of 20 | 1.9x |
| Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne | 6 of 20 | 4.0x |
| Inventory management systems | 4 of 20 | 6.4x |
| Work scheduling software | 3 of 20 | 5.5x |
| Graphics software | 4 of 20 | 3.6x |
| Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management | 4 of 20 | 3.2x |
| Microsoft SharePoint | 7 of 20 | 1.9x |
| Microsoft SQL Server | 5 of 20 | 2.5x |
| Scheduling software | 4 of 20 | 2.6x |
Skills
From O*NET data. Importance is rated 1 to 5 and level 0 to 7.
| Skill | Type | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speaking | Essential skill | 3.62 | 3.00 |
| Active Listening | Essential skill | 3.50 | 3.00 |
| Critical Thinking | Essential skill | 3.25 | 3.62 |
| Reading Comprehension | Essential skill | 3.25 | 3.12 |
| Negotiation | Transferable skill | 3.12 | 3.12 |
| Time Management | Transferable skill | 3.12 | 3.00 |
| Monitoring | Essential skill | 3.00 | 3.12 |
| Coordination | Transferable skill | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Service Orientation | Transferable skill | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Social Perceptiveness | Transferable skill | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Writing | Essential skill | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Complex Problem Solving | Transferable skill | 3.00 | 2.88 |
| Persuasion | Transferable skill | 2.88 | 2.88 |
| Active Learning | Essential skill | 2.75 | 2.75 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | Transferable skill | 2.75 | 2.75 |
| Instructing | Transferable skill | 2.50 | 2.50 |
| Operations Monitoring | Transferable skill | 2.38 | 1.62 |
| Mathematics | Essential skill | 2.25 | 2.50 |
| Systems Analysis | Transferable skill | 2.25 | 2.12 |
| Quality Control Analysis | Transferable skill | 2.25 | 2.00 |
| Management of Personnel Resources | Transferable skill | 2.12 | 2.25 |
| Management of Material Resources | Transferable skill | 2.12 | 1.38 |
| Systems Evaluation | Transferable skill | 2.00 | 2.12 |
| Learning Strategies | Essential skill | 2.00 | 1.88 |
| Operations Analysis | Transferable skill | 2.00 | 1.38 |
| Troubleshooting | Transferable skill | 2.00 | 1.38 |
| Operation and Control | Transferable skill | 1.62 | 1.25 |
| Equipment Selection | Transferable skill | 1.62 | 0.75 |
| Equipment Maintenance | Transferable skill | 1.62 | 0.62 |
| Repairing | Transferable skill | 1.50 | 0.50 |
| Management of Financial Resources | Transferable skill | 1.38 | 0.38 |
| Programming | Transferable skill | 1.38 | 0.38 |
| Technology Design | Transferable skill | 1.38 | 0.38 |
| Installation | Transferable skill | 1.12 | not rated |
| Science | Essential skill | 1.00 | not rated |
Knowledge (33) and abilities (52)
| Name | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation | 4.57 | 4.58 |
| Geography | 4.50 | 4.37 |
| Public Safety and Security | 4.03 | 3.63 |
| English Language | 3.92 | 3.10 |
| Administration and Management | 3.89 | 4.23 |
| Education and Training | 3.47 | 3.39 |
| Law and Government | 3.45 | 3.55 |
| Telecommunications | 3.43 | 1.95 |
| Administrative | 3.38 | 3.79 |
| Customer and Personal Service | 3.38 | 3.62 |
| Communications and Media | 3.00 | 2.73 |
| Production and Processing | 2.91 | 2.55 |
| Economics and Accounting | 2.80 | 2.43 |
| Sales and Marketing | 2.76 | 2.67 |
| Mathematics | 2.72 | 3.08 |
| Mechanical | 2.59 | 2.73 |
| Computers and Electronics | 2.46 | 2.87 |
| Personnel and Human Resources | 2.44 | 1.91 |
| Engineering and Technology | 2.43 | 2.32 |
| Building and Construction | 1.96 | 1.55 |
| Psychology | 1.95 | 1.58 |
| Foreign Language | 1.85 | 1.83 |
| Sociology and Anthropology | 1.69 | 1.53 |
| Biology | 1.66 | not rated |
| Therapy and Counseling | 1.65 | 1.27 |
| History and Archeology | 1.64 | 1.26 |
| Food Production | 1.63 | 1.09 |
| Design | 1.40 | not rated |
| Chemistry | 1.37 | not rated |
| Fine Arts | 1.27 | not rated |
| Medicine and Dentistry | 1.27 | not rated |
| Philosophy and Theology | 1.10 | not rated |
| Physics | 1.10 | not rated |
| Name | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Oral Comprehension | 4.00 | 4.00 |
| Oral Expression | 4.00 | 4.00 |
| Written Comprehension | 3.88 | 3.75 |
| Near Vision | 3.25 | 3.12 |
| Written Expression | 3.12 | 3.12 |
| Problem Sensitivity | 3.12 | 3.00 |
| Category Flexibility | 3.00 | 3.12 |
| Deductive Reasoning | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Inductive Reasoning | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Selective Attention | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Speech Clarity | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Speech Recognition | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Information Ordering | 2.88 | 3.00 |
| Perceptual Speed | 2.88 | 2.75 |
| Flexibility of Closure | 2.88 | 2.38 |
| Time Sharing | 2.75 | 2.75 |
| Number Facility | 2.75 | 2.62 |
| Far Vision | 2.38 | 2.75 |
| Fluency of Ideas | 2.38 | 2.50 |
| Mathematical Reasoning | 2.38 | 2.50 |
| Originality | 2.25 | 2.25 |
| Auditory Attention | 2.25 | 2.12 |
| Visualization | 2.25 | 2.00 |
| Finger Dexterity | 2.12 | 2.12 |
| Memorization | 2.12 | 2.12 |
| Speed of Closure | 2.12 | 2.00 |
| Visual Color Discrimination | 2.12 | 2.00 |
| Hearing Sensitivity | 2.00 | 1.75 |
| Depth Perception | 2.00 | 1.25 |
| Manual Dexterity | 1.88 | 1.38 |
| Arm-Hand Steadiness | 1.88 | 1.25 |
| Control Precision | 1.88 | 1.25 |
| Multilimb Coordination | 1.75 | 1.12 |
| Reaction Time | 1.75 | 1.00 |
| Static Strength | 1.75 | 1.00 |
| Extent Flexibility | 1.62 | 1.12 |
| Trunk Strength | 1.62 | 1.12 |
| Explosive Strength | 1.62 | 1.00 |
| Dynamic Strength | 1.62 | 0.88 |
| Response Orientation | 1.62 | 0.88 |
| Peripheral Vision | 1.62 | 0.75 |
| Rate Control | 1.62 | 0.75 |
| Spatial Orientation | 1.62 | 0.75 |
| Stamina | 1.62 | 0.75 |
| Wrist-Finger Speed | 1.62 | 0.75 |
| Gross Body Coordination | 1.62 | 0.62 |
| Glare Sensitivity | 1.50 | 0.62 |
| Night Vision | 1.50 | 0.62 |
| Sound Localization | 1.50 | 0.62 |
| Gross Body Equilibrium | 1.50 | 0.50 |
| Dynamic Flexibility | 1.00 | not rated |
| Speed of Limb Movement | 1.00 | not rated |
Software used
Examples from O*NET data. "Hot" and "in demand" are O*NET flags for technologies often listed in job postings.
- Microsoft Excel in demand
- Microsoft Office software in demand
- Microsoft Outlook hot
- Microsoft PowerPoint hot
- Microsoft Word hot
- SAP software hot
- Brokerage software
- Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
- Database software
- Email software
- Microsoft OneNote
- Posting software
- Transportation management software
- Transportation management system TMS software
- Web browser software
- Web-based dispatch software
Where it concentrates
Metro areas ranked by BLS location quotient: the occupation's share of the area's jobs divided by its share of all US jobs. Above 1 means more concentrated than the nation. Metros employing fewer than 100 are left out.
| Metro area | Employment | Location quotient | Median annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laredo, TX | 890 | 13.01 | $36,810 |
| Kahului-Wailuku, HI | 310 | 6.63 | $42,840 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | 1,670 | 4.34 | $55,930 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | 980 | 3.49 | $42,080 |
| Green Bay, WI | 370 | 3.39 | $53,820 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | 1,310 | 3.05 | $49,480 |
| Anchorage, AK | 330 | 2.99 | $47,910 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | 730 | 2.95 | $57,560 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | 980 | 2.93 | $45,790 |
| Savannah, GA | 350 | 2.80 | $48,560 |