What is a Freight & Cargo Inspector?

Occupation Description Inspect the handling, storage, and stowing of freight and cargoes.

Life As a Freight & Cargo Inspector

• Calculate gross and net tonnage, hold capacities, volumes of stored fuel and water, cargo weights, and ship stability factors, using mathematical formulas.
• Time rolls of ships, using stopwatches.
• Check temperatures and humidities of shipping and storage areas to ensure that they are at appropriate levels to protect cargo.
• Post warning signs on vehicles containing explosives or flammable or radioactive materials.
• Direct crews to reload freight or to insert additional bracing or packing as necessary.
• Notify workers of any special treatment required for shipments.

Skills Needed to be a Freight & Cargo Inspector

When polled, Freight and Cargo Inspectors say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Types of Freight and Cargo Inspectors

• Marine Cargo Surveyor
• Marine Cargo Broker
• Marine Cargo Specialist
• Heavy Check Inspector
• Shipping Inspector

Is There Going to be Demand for Freight and Cargo Inspectors?

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 28,200 jobs in the United States for Transportation Inspectors.

New jobs are being produced at a rate of 5.9% which is lower than average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 1,700 new jobs for Freight and Cargo Inspectors by 2026. There will be an estimated 2,900 positions for Freight & Cargo Inspector per year.

The states with the most job growth for Transportation Inspectors are Texas, New York, and California.

Watch out if you plan on working in Kansas, Minnesota, or Wyoming. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

How Much Does a Freight & Cargo Inspector Make?

The typical yearly salary for Transportation Inspectors is somewhere between $28,870 and $123,980. The median salary is $73,780.

How much do Transportation Inspectors make in different U.S. states?

Annual Mean Salary by State

State	Annual Mean Salary
Alaska	$105,850
Maine	$101,310
District of Columbia	$100,630
North Dakota	$87,030
Wisconsin	$86,990
Kansas	$86,500
Nebraska	$86,130
Mississippi	$85,700
Florida	$85,340
Illinois	$84,420
Texas	$84,250
Minnesota	$83,180
Connecticut	$82,870
North Carolina	$79,680
Hawaii	$79,490
Michigan	$79,170
Indiana	$78,520
Tennessee	$78,120
Virginia	$77,920
Colorado	$77,660
Montana	$77,390
Iowa	$77,250
Oklahoma	$76,600
Oregon	$76,510
California	$76,290
New Jersey	$74,010
Idaho	$73,870
Washington	$73,480
Missouri	$73,160
New Hampshire	$72,500
South Carolina	$72,160
Kentucky	$71,930
Massachusetts	$71,840
Georgia	$70,850
Arkansas	$70,790
Wyoming	$70,470
Louisiana	$69,970
Pennsylvania	$65,710
Maryland	$65,710
Arizona	$61,380
Ohio	$58,740
New Mexico	$58,510
South Dakota	$57,780
Utah	$55,360
Rhode Island	$53,090

What Tools do Freight and Cargo Inspectors Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Freight and Cargo Inspectors:

• Microsoft Excel
• Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
• Microsoft Word
• Data entry software
• Microsoft Office

How do I Become a Freight & Cargo Inspector?

What education or degrees do I need to become a Freight and Cargo Inspector?

How Long Does it Take to Become Freight & Cargo Inspector?

Where Freight and Cargo Inspectors Are Employed

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics

College Factual

O*NET Online

Image Credit: Via Wikimedia Commons