Cargo and Freight Agents in Maryland
Thinking about a career as a Cargo and Freight Agents in Maryland? Below are the key facts. 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.
What do Cargo and Freight Agents Make in Maryland?
For a cargo and freight agents working in Maryland, the median annual wage is $47,460 per year (or roughly $22.82/hour).Pay can range from $33,590 at the 10th percentile to $68,280 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $33,590 | $16.15 |
| 25th percentile | $37,270 | $17.92 |
| Median (50th) | $47,460 | $22.82 |
| 75th percentile | $59,220 | $28.47 |
| 90th percentile | $68,280 | $32.83 |
The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in Maryland relative to the national average — is 0.48, indicating fewer cargo and freight agents per worker than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, cargo and freight agents earn a median of $54,941 per year ($26.41/hour), below the Maryland median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 1,998,430 cargo and freight agents across the United States. In Maryland alone, approximately 840 people work in this role. That trails the typical state, which employs around 950 cargo and freight agents.
Top Maryland Metros for Cargo and Freight Agents
These are the Maryland metros with the most cargo and freight agents in Maryland.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | 670 | $47,460 |
Top States for Cargo and Freight Agents Employment
These states have the highest employment of cargo and freight agents work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 14,940 |
| Texas | 9,460 |
| Illinois | 6,820 |
| Florida | 6,470 |
| New York | 5,930 |
| Ohio | 3,740 |
| North Carolina | 3,710 |
| New Jersey | 3,140 |
| Arizona | 3,050 |
| Georgia | 2,910 |
| Michigan | 2,650 |
| Washington | 2,460 |
| Pennsylvania | 2,360 |
| South Carolina | 2,130 |
| Kentucky | 2,050 |
| Minnesota | 2,020 |
| Hawaii | 1,900 |
| Missouri | 1,790 |
| Indiana | 1,660 |
| Tennessee | 1,660 |
Highest-Paying States for Cargo and Freight Agents
The highest-paying states for cargo and freight agents.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| South Dakota | $68,400 |
| New Jersey | $62,860 |
| Montana | $60,660 |
| Massachusetts | $59,700 |
| Nebraska | $58,160 |
| Wisconsin | $57,490 |
| New York | $57,230 |
| California | $56,100 |
| Georgia | $55,710 |
| Utah | $55,220 |
Skills
Key cargo and freight agents skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Top abilities for cargo and freight agents, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Cargo and Freight Agents typically:
- 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.
- Arrange insurance coverage for goods.
- Install straps, braces, and padding to loads to prevent shifting or damage during shipment.
Work Activities
- Getting Information
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
- Controlling Machines and Processes
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Communicating with People Outside the Organization
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Tools & Technology
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Microsoft Excel In-demand technologies: Microsoft Excel
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Several college majors map to this occupation:
- Business Support & Assistance
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Related Careers
Other careers like cargo and freight agents include:
- Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers
- Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products
- Customs Brokers
- Logisticians
- Logistics Analysts
- Order Clerks
Also Known As
Air Export Coordinator, Air Export Specialist, Air Freight Coordinator, Cargo Agent, Cargo Customer Service Agent (Cargo CS Agent), Cargo Router, Cargo Warehouse Agent, Container Coordinator, Drop Shipment Clerk, Export Compliance Specialist, Export Coordinator, Export Specialist, Freight Agent, Freight Booker, Freight Broker.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 43-5011.00