What it pays
Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.
Half of all Cargo and Freight Agents in the U.S. earn more than $52,260 a year — the middle 80% land between $38,340 and $79,810. About 97,670 people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Cargo and Freight Agents”. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, published 2025.) In India, Clerical support workers earn about ₹24,252 a month on average — around ₹2.9 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).
$52,260typical pay / year
97,670people in this work
$79,810+top 10% earn
₹2.9 lakha year in India (family avg)
Think you get this job?Six quick questions on how it really works — with a hint and the reason behind every answer.
Test yourself →The work, task by task
These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.
Keeping the record4
Determine method of shipment
+For the 2,400kg pallet destined to Phoenix, compare road vs. air quotes, check hazardous-materials rules and…
Determine method of shipment
+For the 2,400kg pallet destined to Phoenix, compare road vs. air quotes, check hazardous-materials rules and delivery windows, pick the method that meets the 72-hour delivery SLA at the lowest landed cost and confirm carrier by 5pm today.
The tools that do the workTransportation management system TMSjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Record shipment costs and weights
+Record yesterday's three outbound loads: enter gross and tare weights, freight class and every fuel and…
Record shipment costs and weights
+Record yesterday's three outbound loads: enter gross and tare weights, freight class and every fuel and accessorial charge, reconcile totals against carrier invoices and flag any variance over $50 by end of day.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Enter shipping information into computer systems
+Enter the airway bill numbers, consignee details, dimensions, gross and net weights, declared value and…
Enter shipping information into computer systems
+Enter the airway bill numbers, consignee details, dimensions, gross and net weights, declared value and special handling codes for today’s outbound loads into the shipment ledger so records match the physical bills before the 14:00 handoff to operations.
The tools that do the workSAPjob descriptionsO*NET
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Prepare manifests for passengers and freight
+Prepare passenger and freight manifests for Flight 312 departing 18:30: list each passenger with seat and ID,…
Prepare manifests for passengers and freight
+Prepare passenger and freight manifests for Flight 312 departing 18:30: list each passenger with seat and ID, itemise freight by AWB with commodity, weight, dimensions and any hazardous declaration, then print three originals for customs and the captain.
The tools that do the workTransportation managementjob descriptionsO*NET
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Sending & sharing1
Track shipment delivery progress
+Update the delivery dashboard with live scan times for the five shipments in transit, highlight any stop…
Track shipment delivery progress
+Update the delivery dashboard with live scan times for the five shipments in transit, highlight any stop exceeding its ETA by over 90 minutes, notify the assigned driver and customer service with expected revised arrival times within 30 minutes.
The tools that do the workTransportation managementjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Fixing1
Check the condition of the cargo
+Inspect the palletised electronics consignment on Dock 4, note any dented cartons, wet pallets or broken…
Check the condition of the cargo
+Inspect the palletised electronics consignment on Dock 4, note any dented cartons, wet pallets or broken straps, photograph damage, complete the cargo condition report, and flag shipments that need quarantine or immediate repair before loading today.
The tools that do the workTransportation management system TMSESCOWikipedia
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The daily work14
Advise clients on transportation and payment methods
+Advise Acme Imports and their finance lead which transport mode and payment terms best fit the 20 pallets of…
Advise clients on transportation and payment methods
+Advise Acme Imports and their finance lead which transport mode and payment terms best fit the 20 pallets of electronics—compare air, sea, and road transit times, total landed cost, and letter of credit versus open account, then send my recommendation by Friday.
The tools that do the workTransportation management system TMSMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsO*NET
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Resolve issues related to shipment delays or damages
+Investigate the delayed export to Global Retail: retrieve carrier PODs, inspection photos, and claims…
Resolve issues related to shipment delays or damages
+Investigate the delayed export to Global Retail: retrieve carrier PODs, inspection photos, and claims history, determine if damage occurred in transit or at terminal, propose acceptance, repair, or full claim action, and notify procurement and the carrier by end of day.
The tools that do the workTransportation managementSAPO*NETWikipedia
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Maintain a supply of packing materials.
+Replenish packing stock: audit current inventory of cartons, void fill, and tape, forecast monthly usage for…
Maintain a supply of packing materials.
+Replenish packing stock: audit current inventory of cartons, void fill, and tape, forecast monthly usage for outgoing LTL and FCL, create a reorder for approved vendors to arrive within ten days, and circulate the purchase to the warehouse manager.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Direct delivery trucks to shipping doors or designated marshaling areas and help load and unload goods safely.
+Direct incoming trucks today: assign truck ACME-12 to Door 4 and truck BlueLine-7 to the marshaling yard,…
Direct delivery trucks to shipping doors or designated marshaling areas and help load and unload goods safely.
+Direct incoming trucks today: assign truck ACME-12 to Door 4 and truck BlueLine-7 to the marshaling yard, confirm drivers have safety brief and forklift assistance, record arrival times and supervise safe loading and unloading until complete.
The tools that do the workPostingTransportation management system TMSO*NET
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Open cargo containers and unwrap contents, using steel cutters, crowbars, or other hand tools.
+At dock B, open container CNTR123456, cut straps and pallet wrap, inspect and photograph contents for damage…
Open cargo containers and unwrap contents, using steel cutters, crowbars, or other hand tools.
+At dock B, open container CNTR123456, cut straps and pallet wrap, inspect and photograph contents for damage or shortages, complete the inspection report onsite, and notify the claims team within two hours if discrepancies are found.
The tools that do the workPostingO*NET
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Notify customers of freight or baggage arrival
+Notify customer Pacific Wholesalers that their shipment AWB789012 arrived: include pallet count, weight, hold…
Notify customers of freight or baggage arrival
+Notify customer Pacific Wholesalers that their shipment AWB789012 arrived: include pallet count, weight, hold location, earliest pickup window tomorrow 08:00–16:00, and provide contact for customs clearance and payment instructions.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Outlookjob descriptions
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Assist in the preparation of customs documentation
+Prepare the customs paperwork for the shipment to Rotterdam: complete commercial invoice, packing list,…
Assist in the preparation of customs documentation
+Prepare the customs paperwork for the shipment to Rotterdam: complete commercial invoice, packing list, export declaration and any hazardous goods declarations, verify HS codes and consignee VAT, then send the complete set to the broker for filing by Thursday close of business.
The tools that do the workBrokerageWikipedia
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Coordinate multi-modal transportation logistics
+Plan and book the multi-modal route from Chicago to Hamburg combining truck, rail and ocean leg, confirm…
Coordinate multi-modal transportation logistics
+Plan and book the multi-modal route from Chicago to Hamburg combining truck, rail and ocean leg, confirm weight and dimension limits, assign handlers for transload at Kansas City, and issue the consolidated movement order with ETA targets to the carriers by Wednesday.
The tools that do the workTransportation management system TMSWikipedia
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Analyse the fuel compartments
+Inspect and report on the fuel compartments for the outgoing tankers: record capacity, venting and leak test…
Analyse the fuel compartments
+Inspect and report on the fuel compartments for the outgoing tankers: record capacity, venting and leak test results, photograph corroded areas, note required repairs to meet ADR and flag the urgent findings to maintenance and safety by end of day.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelESCO
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Analyse the safety equipment
+Audit the safety equipment across the fleet: verify fire extinguishers, spill kits, PPE availability and…
Analyse the safety equipment
+Audit the safety equipment across the fleet: verify fire extinguishers, spill kits, PPE availability and expiry dates, note deficiencies per vehicle, attach inspection photos, and circulate the consolidated non-compliance list to operations and compliance tomorrow morning.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelESCO
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Analyse the specific licenses required
+Compile a requirements memo listing all licenses and permits needed for the Mexico hazardous route: driver…
Analyse the specific licenses required
+Compile a requirements memo listing all licenses and permits needed for the Mexico hazardous route: driver endorsements, vehicle permits, hazmat shipping papers and any local import permits, cite the regulation references and send to legal and the depot manager for approval by Friday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordESCO
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Lead inspections
+Lead the pre-departure inspection for the outbound convoy tomorrow: run the checklist for brakes, lights,…
Lead inspections
+Lead the pre-departure inspection for the outbound convoy tomorrow: run the checklist for brakes, lights, cargo restraints and placarding, operate the leak and pressure testers, sign off each truck that passes and escalate any failures to fleet maintenance immediately.
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Handle freight inspection equipment
+Schedule and record the weekly inspection of the handheld X-ray scanner and seal cutter, assign Adam and Lucy…
Handle freight inspection equipment
+Schedule and record the weekly inspection of the handheld X-ray scanner and seal cutter, assign Adam and Lucy to lead the checks on Tuesday morning, confirm calibration certificates are attached, note any faults and arrange repairs before the next outbound load.
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Prepare freight shipment reports
+Draft the end-of-week freight shipment report summarising departures, container seal numbers, inspection…
Prepare freight shipment reports
+Draft the end-of-week freight shipment report summarising departures, container seal numbers, inspection outcomes, any hazardous cargo handled, and regulatory exceptions, circulate to Operations Manager Karen and Compliance for review by Friday noon.
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Says who?
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Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses
Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses