Transportation
Cargo Agent

Cargo and Freight Agent

Coordinate and expedite the movement of cargo through shipping channels. Prepare documentation, track shipments, and resolve logistics issues.

Salary Range

$30,000 $55,000

per year (10th–90th percentile)

Median Salary

$43,770

per year

Growth Outlook

Average Growth

2024–2034 projected

1. Flexible work schedule 2. Travel opportunities 3. Competitive pay

Tasks & Responsibilities

  • Negotiate and arrange transport of goods with shipping or freight companies.
  • Determine method of shipment and prepare bills of lading, invoices, and other shipping documents.
  • Track delivery progress of shipments.
  • Advise clients on transportation and payment methods.
  • Estimate freight or postal rates and record shipment costs and weights.
  • Keep records of all goods shipped, received, and stored.
  • Notify consignees, passengers, or customers of freight or baggage arrival and arrange for delivery.
  • Retrieve stored items and trace lost shipments as necessary.
  • Enter shipping information into a computer by hand or by a hand-held scanner that reads bar codes on goods.
  • Prepare manifests showing numbers of airplane passengers and baggage, mail, and freight weights, transmitting data to destinations.

Tools of the Trade

Ground power units for aircraftAir conditionersWrapping machineryCargo trucksPry barsRadio frequency scannersHand trucks or accessoriesMetal cuttersLaser fax machineAircraft pushback or tow tractorsTwo way radiosStaple gunsHammersForkliftsLaser printersDesktop computersWheel chocks

Knowledge Areas

Transportation

Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits. 89/100

Geography

Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life. 88/100

Public Safety and Security

Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions. 76/100

English Language

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. 73/100

Administration and Management

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources. 72/100

Education and Training

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects. 62/100

Law and Government

Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process. 61/100

Telecommunications

Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems. 61/100

Administrative

Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology. 60/100

Customer and Personal Service

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. 60/100

Work Profile

Physicality
2/10
Training
3/10
Structure
2/10

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