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.
Move3
Determine method of shipment
+Decide whether to ship by road, rail, sea, or air for the 12 pallets of chemicals bound for Rotterdam,…
Determine method of shipment
+Decide whether to ship by road, rail, sea, or air for the 12 pallets of chemicals bound for Rotterdam, justify choice with transit time, cost, and hazardous-cargo limits, and note any escort or placarding requirements.
The tools that do the workTransportation management system TMSjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Track shipment delivery progress
+Update the delivery progress for shipment AWB 387-91234: current location, estimated arrival at destination…
Track shipment delivery progress
+Update the delivery progress for shipment AWB 387-91234: current location, estimated arrival at destination terminal, any customs holds, and action taken for delays, then notify the receiving depot and operations manager if ETA slips more than two hours.
The tools that do the workTransportation management system TMSMicrosoft Outlookjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Prepare manifests for passengers and freight
+Produce passenger and freight manifests for the 0600 ferry: list each passenger name and ID, freight…
Prepare manifests for passengers and freight
+Produce passenger and freight manifests for the 0600 ferry: list each passenger name and ID, freight consignment numbers, piece counts, weights, hazardous declarations, and the total cargo weight for the captain and port authority.
The tools that do the workTransportation management system TMSjob descriptionsO*NET
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Keeping the record2
Record shipment costs and weights
+Record actual weights and itemised freight costs for the August 14 departure: tare and gross weights for each…
Record shipment costs and weights
+Record actual weights and itemised freight costs for the August 14 departure: tare and gross weights for each pallet, carrier rate, fuel surcharge, and handling fees, then reconcile totals against the invoice and flag discrepancies over 50 euros.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Enter shipping information into computer systems
+Enter shipping information for the September 2 export into the system: shipper and consignee details,…
Enter shipping information into computer systems
+Enter shipping information for the September 2 export into the system: shipper and consignee details, commodity codes, gross and net weights, declared value, UN numbers for hazardous items, and confirm carrier booking reference.
The tools that do the workSAPjob descriptionsO*NET
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Fixing1
Check the condition of the cargo
+Inspect cargo for shipment HZ-77 on the loading dock and record condition: container seals intact, pallet…
Check the condition of the cargo
+Inspect cargo for shipment HZ-77 on the loading dock and record condition: container seals intact, pallet stability, signs of leakage or contamination, and photograph any damage; recommend acceptance, rework, or quarantine per hazmat rules.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OneNoteESCOWikipedia
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The daily work14
Handle freight inspection equipment
+Schedule and coordinate the on-site freight inspection for the refrigerated container at Dock 7, allocate…
Handle freight inspection equipment
+Schedule and coordinate the on-site freight inspection for the refrigerated container at Dock 7, allocate moisture meter and pallet jack to the inspection team, confirm operator training certificates, and log equipment serial numbers and calibration dates before inspection starts on Wednesday.
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Prepare freight shipment reports
+Compile the weekly freight shipment report summarising departures, arrivals, weight and dangerous goods…
Prepare freight shipment reports
+Compile the weekly freight shipment report summarising departures, arrivals, weight and dangerous goods declarations, note any inspection holds or damages, validate against booking references, and circulate the final report to operations and compliance by Friday noon.
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Advise clients on transportation and payment methods
+Advise the Port of Longview import team and accounting on best transport and payment options for the 30t…
Advise clients on transportation and payment methods
+Advise the Port of Longview import team and accounting on best transport and payment options for the 30t chemical coil shipment arriving next Wednesday, comparing road versus rail times, cost to deliver to Warehouse 7, insurance needs and any hazardous-goods payment surcharges so they can choose by Friday.
The tools that do the workTransportation management system TMSjob descriptionsO*NET
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Resolve issues related to shipment delays or damages
+Investigate the delayed Brisbane container DZXU1234567, contact the carrier and consignee, document damage…
Resolve issues related to shipment delays or damages
+Investigate the delayed Brisbane container DZXU1234567, contact the carrier and consignee, document damage photos and inspection notes, confirm whether rework, transload or rejection is required under national hazardous handling regs, and propose a recovery timeline and cost estimate for procurement by end of day.
The tools that do the workTransportation managementO*NETWikipedia
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Maintain a supply of packing materials.
+Review current stock of bubble wrap, wooden dunnage, UN-approved drums and strapping, create a reorder list…
Maintain a supply of packing materials.
+Review current stock of bubble wrap, wooden dunnage, UN-approved drums and strapping, create a reorder list with minimum par levels for inbound hazardous consignments, route to warehouse purchasing with weekly usage forecasts and supplier lead times so procurement can place orders this week.
The tools that do the workSAPO*NET
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Direct delivery trucks to shipping doors or designated marshaling areas and help load and unload goods safely.
+Assign trucks arriving between 08:00–11:00 to shipping doors 3 and 4 or to marshaling bay B, brief the yard…
Direct delivery trucks to shipping doors or designated marshaling areas and help load and unload goods safely.
+Assign trucks arriving between 08:00–11:00 to shipping doors 3 and 4 or to marshaling bay B, brief the yard team on load sequence, supervise safe forklift unloading, and log any deviations or safety incidents to the morning operations report for the client by 12:30.
The tools that do the workPostingO*NET
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Open cargo containers and unwrap contents, using steel cutters, crowbars, or other hand tools.
+Inspect container CNTR789012: open the pallet, unwrap and inspect electronics for packaging breaches and…
Open cargo containers and unwrap contents, using steel cutters, crowbars, or other hand tools.
+Inspect container CNTR789012: open the pallet, unwrap and inspect electronics for packaging breaches and record serial numbers, confirm no hazardous materials present, photograph damages, prepare the freight inspection report, and email findings to the consignee and claims team before close of business.
The tools that do the workTransportation management system TMSMicrosoft OutlookO*NET
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Notify customers of freight or baggage arrival
+Notify Acme Manufacturing and their freight forwarder that their pallet shipment arrived at Dock 2, include…
Notify customers of freight or baggage arrival
+Notify Acme Manufacturing and their freight forwarder that their pallet shipment arrived at Dock 2, include expected pickup window, handling charges, copy of the freight inspection checklist and a contact for claims, and request confirmation of collection by tomorrow noon.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Outlookjob descriptions
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Assist in the preparation of customs documentation
+Prepare complete customs paperwork for the Istanbul shipment to clear at the Bosphorus port: verify commodity…
Assist in the preparation of customs documentation
+Prepare complete customs paperwork for the Istanbul shipment to clear at the Bosphorus port: verify commodity codes, harmonised descriptions, commercial invoice totals, and packing list accuracy, then generate bonded-goods declaration and notify customs agent by 10:00 Friday.
The tools that do the workBrokerageMicrosoft ExcelWikipedia
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Coordinate multi-modal transportation logistics
+Plan the multi-modal route for the Mumbai import to Rotterdam using sea plus inland barge and road: assemble…
Coordinate multi-modal transportation logistics
+Plan the multi-modal route for the Mumbai import to Rotterdam using sea plus inland barge and road: assemble carrier options, transit times, transfer points, weight limits, and hazardous cargo constraints, then produce handoff timetable and cost comparison for procurement by Wednesday noon.
The tools that do the workTransportation management system TMSMicrosoft ExcelWikipedia
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Analyse the fuel compartments
+Inspect and report on the fuel tank compartments for the outbound tanker load: log tank identities, remaining…
Analyse the fuel compartments
+Inspect and report on the fuel tank compartments for the outbound tanker load: log tank identities, remaining ullage, contamination tests, venting status, and required placarding; produce a fuel-compartment report and list corrective actions for the operations supervisor by end of day Tuesday.
The tools that do the workPostingMicrosoft WordESCO
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Analyse the safety equipment
+Survey the vehicle safety equipment across the fleet scheduled this week: confirm fire extinguisher…
Analyse the safety equipment
+Survey the vehicle safety equipment across the fleet scheduled this week: confirm fire extinguisher certification, emergency cut-offs, spill kits, PPE availability, and inspect restraint fittings; compile a non-compliance register and recommended replacements for the safety manager by Friday afternoon.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft OneNoteESCO
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Analyse the specific licenses required
+Review and list all licences required for transporting class 3 hazardous goods from Antwerp to Warsaw: check…
Analyse the specific licenses required
+Review and list all licences required for transporting class 3 hazardous goods from Antwerp to Warsaw: check vehicle ADR endorsements, driver dangerous-goods certificates, carrier permits, and cross-border transit licences, then prepare a compliance checklist and escalate missing items to legal by Wednesday.
The tools that do the workSAPESCO
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Lead inspections
+Lead the dockside inspection for Tuesday's export batch: supervise container seals, oversee weighbridge…
Lead inspections
+Lead the dockside inspection for Tuesday's export batch: supervise container seals, oversee weighbridge checks, operate inspection scanner for cargo integrity, complete the freight inspection report, and sign off or flag containers needing rework before the vessel cut-off at 18:00.
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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