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.
Sending & sharing1
Determine method of shipment
+Decide whether to move the container by coastal barge, short-sea feeder, or full ocean voyage for the 20 TEU…
Determine method of shipment
+Decide whether to move the container by coastal barge, short-sea feeder, or full ocean voyage for the 20 TEU load from Port of Houston to Veracruz, prioritising lowest landed cost within 10 days and compliance with hazardous cargo rules; outline chosen route and reason.
The tools that do the workTransportation management system TMSjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Keeping the record2
Record shipment costs and weights
+Record the actual gross weights, tare weights, and all invoice shipment charges for voyage MV Atlantic…
Record shipment costs and weights
+Record the actual gross weights, tare weights, and all invoice shipment charges for voyage MV Atlantic Express voyage 221 in the monthly cost sheet, allocate fuel surcharge and port fees to job 4732, and flag any overcharges before close of business Friday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Enter shipping information into computer systems
+Enter booking details for export job 5478 into the shipment ledger: consignee, notify party, HS codes,…
Enter shipping information into computer systems
+Enter booking details for export job 5478 into the shipment ledger: consignee, notify party, HS codes, weight, volume, declared value, and declared hazardous class; validate against the bill of lading and send confirmation to the freight forwarder before sail cut-off.
The tools that do the workSAPjob descriptionsO*NET
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Protecting2
Track shipment delivery progress
+Track delivery progress for container 1ZCU1234567 from departure to destination: update position, ETA…
Track shipment delivery progress
+Track delivery progress for container 1ZCU1234567 from departure to destination: update position, ETA changes, customs status, and carrier exceptions in the live shipment log every two hours and alert operations and the import agent immediately for any delay beyond four hours.
The tools that do the workTransportation managementjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Check the condition of the cargo
+Inspect and record the physical condition of palletised chemical drums on quay 4: note dents, leaks,…
Check the condition of the cargo
+Inspect and record the physical condition of palletised chemical drums on quay 4: note dents, leaks, moisture, and seal integrity, take three photos per damaged pallet, classify any hazmat breaches per national regs, and file the condition report to claims and the shipper within three hours.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OneNoteESCOWikipedia
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Learning1
Prepare manifests for passengers and freight
+Prepare the combined passenger and freight manifest for sailing 12 July: list all passengers with ID numbers,…
Prepare manifests for passengers and freight
+Prepare the combined passenger and freight manifest for sailing 12 July: list all passengers with ID numbers, each freight line with cargo description, weight, UN hazard class where applicable, and ULD/container numbers; certify compliance and send the final manifest to port authority two hours before departure.
The tools that do the workPostingjob descriptionsO*NET
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The daily work13
Advise clients on transportation and payment methods
+Advise Blue Anchor Shipping and Portside Imports which transport mode to use and propose secure payment terms…
Advise clients on transportation and payment methods
+Advise Blue Anchor Shipping and Portside Imports which transport mode to use and propose secure payment terms for 20 pallets to Rotterdam, including expected transit times, insurance options, and a recommended letter of credit, so they can sign and book space by Wednesday.
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 consignment for Oceanic Traders: compile the status of the feeder vessel, capture…
Resolve issues related to shipment delays or damages
+Investigate the delayed consignment for Oceanic Traders: compile the status of the feeder vessel, capture inspection photos, note visible damage, contact the carrier claims desk and propose a mitigation plan with ETA update and provisional liability assessment by close of business today.
The tools that do the workPostingO*NETWikipedia
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Maintain a supply of packing materials.
+Replenish packing stock for the terminal: confirm current counts of pallets, shrink wrap and corner boards,…
Maintain a supply of packing materials.
+Replenish packing stock for the terminal: confirm current counts of pallets, shrink wrap and corner boards, place an order for 200 pallets and 500 rolls of stretch film with preferred supplier for delivery next Tuesday, and log the purchase request so procurement can approve.
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 delivery trucks arriving today: assign them to doors 5 through 8 and the north marshaling area based…
Direct delivery trucks to shipping doors or designated marshaling areas and help load and unload goods safely.
+Direct delivery trucks arriving today: assign them to doors 5 through 8 and the north marshaling area based on load size, ensure stevedores are ready with forklifts and pallet jacks, and supervise loading/unloading to meet the two-hour turnaround target.
The tools that do the workTransportation managementO*NET
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Notify customers of freight or baggage arrival
+Notify passengers and consignee for flight BLT432 and manifest 98765 that their baggage and freight have…
Notify customers of freight or baggage arrival
+Notify passengers and consignee for flight BLT432 and manifest 98765 that their baggage and freight have arrived: send arrival notices with pickup instructions, operating hours, and required ID, and confirm receipt of the notice by phone or email by end of day.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Outlookjob descriptions
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Handle freight inspection equipment
+Schedule and document the calibration, chain-of-custody checks, and damage inspection for the freight…
Handle freight inspection equipment
+Schedule and document the calibration, chain-of-custody checks, and damage inspection for the freight inspection kit used on the Port 7 export run, assign Steve Morales to perform checks Wednesday, record serial numbers and photos, and confirm serviceables before loading.
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Prepare freight shipment reports
+Compile the freight shipment report for Voyage 2145: list consignor and consignee, cargo descriptions,…
Prepare freight shipment reports
+Compile the freight shipment report for Voyage 2145: list consignor and consignee, cargo descriptions, weights, UN numbers for hazardous items, inspection findings, discrepancies, and required corrective actions, then circulate to Cargo Ops, Safety, and the port agent by Friday noon.
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Assist in the preparation of customs documentation
+Prepare the customs packet for the Singapore arrival: populate the commercial invoice, packing list, and bill…
Assist in the preparation of customs documentation
+Prepare the customs packet for the Singapore arrival: populate the commercial invoice, packing list, and bill of lading, verify HS codes and consignee VAT details, flag any hazardous items for broker review, and send the complete packet to Priya in procurement by Wednesday.
The tools that do the workBrokerageWikipedia
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Coordinate multi-modal transportation logistics
+Coordinate the import leg from Busan to Jebel Ali: confirm vessel ETA and rail pickup windows, book container…
Coordinate multi-modal transportation logistics
+Coordinate the import leg from Busan to Jebel Ali: confirm vessel ETA and rail pickup windows, book container drayage and inland trucking with Ahmed at the local carrier, check transload capacity for roll-on cargo, and issue movement instructions to the receiving depot for Friday arrival.
The tools that do the workTransportation management system TMSWikipedia
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Analyse the fuel compartments
+Inspect and document the vessel fuel tanks: open compartment access, record ullage and water content…
Analyse the fuel compartments
+Inspect and document the vessel fuel tanks: open compartment access, record ullage and water content readings, compare volumes to the ship’s bunker delivery note, note any contamination, then produce a fuel compartment report for the chief engineer and fuel supplier by end of watch.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelESCO
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Analyse the safety equipment
+Conduct the safety equipment audit on board: verify expiry and service tags for liferafts, lifejackets, fire…
Analyse the safety equipment
+Conduct the safety equipment audit on board: verify expiry and service tags for liferafts, lifejackets, fire extinguishers and emergency lighting, log defective items with photos, prepare the non-conformance list, and send corrective action requests to Captain and shore maintenance within 24 hours.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft OutlookESCO
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Analyse the specific licenses required
+Map required licenses for the export route to Rotterdam: list shipper and carrier permits, hazardous…
Analyse the specific licenses required
+Map required licenses for the export route to Rotterdam: list shipper and carrier permits, hazardous materials endorsements, port berth approvals and customs broker licences, note renewal dates and responsible owners, then circulate the license register to Legal and Operations before Friday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelESCO
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Lead inspections
+Lead the container inspection at Berth 7: complete the seal verification, check for dangerous goods placards,…
Lead inspections
+Lead the container inspection at Berth 7: complete the seal verification, check for dangerous goods placards, operate the moisture and tilt sensors, record any damages with timestamped photos, sign the inspection certificate and forward the report to cargo claims and operations by shift end.
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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