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Freight Forwarder

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All About Freight Forwarders

Career Description Research rates, routings, or modes of transport for shipment of products. Maintain awareness of regulations affecting the international movement of cargo. Make arrangements for additional services, such as storage or inland transportation.

Life As a Freight Forwarder

  • Complete customs paperwork.
  • Select shipment routes, based on nature of goods shipped, transit times, or security needs.
  • Reserve necessary space on ships, aircraft, trains, or trucks.
  • Provide detailed port information to importers or exporters.
  • Arrange for applicable duties, taxes, or paperwork for customs clearance.
  • Obtain or arrange cargo insurance.

Things a Freight Forwarder Should Know How to Do

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

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

Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.

Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Time Management: Managing one’s own time and the time of others.

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

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Types of Freight Forwarder Jobs

  • Ocean Freight Forwarder
  • Special Services Agent
  • Freight Forwarder
  • Freight Head
  • Air Export Coordinator

Job Opportunities for Freight Forwarders

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 89,800 jobs in the United States for Freight Forwarder. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 10.4% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 9,300 new jobs for Freight Forwarder by 2026. There will be an estimated 8,600 positions for Freight Forwarder per year.

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The states with the most job growth for Freight Forwarder are Utah, Georgia, and New Jersey. Watch out if you plan on working in Ohio, Tennessee, or Oklahoma. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

How Much Does a Freight Forwarder Make?

Freight Forwarders make between $25,970 and $66,920 a year.

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Freight Forwarders who work in New Jersey, South Dakota, or New Hampshire, make the highest salaries.

How much do Freight Forwarders make in each U.S. state?

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $51,330
Alaska $39,620
Arizona $43,420
Arkansas $53,310
California $45,830
Colorado $47,350
Delaware $42,790
Florida $40,810
Georgia $44,560
Hawaii $39,920
Idaho $49,710
Illinois $44,760
Indiana $43,210
Iowa $42,470
Kansas $45,880
Kentucky $42,390
Louisiana $42,950
Maine $49,190
Maryland $42,820
Massachusetts $44,840
Michigan $45,460
Minnesota $50,120
Mississippi $43,340
Missouri $47,000
Montana $46,230
Nebraska $52,610
Nevada $41,400
New Hampshire $50,220
New Jersey $56,470
New Mexico $49,740
New York $45,310
North Carolina $45,060
North Dakota $41,100
Ohio $43,890
Oklahoma $46,040
Oregon $53,400
Pennsylvania $46,150
South Carolina $44,170
South Dakota $52,230
Tennessee $43,530
Texas $45,890
Utah $42,470
Vermont $38,040
Virginia $48,660
Washington $54,600
West Virginia $37,750
Wisconsin $39,710
Wyoming $44,340

What Tools & Technology do Freight Forwarders Use?

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

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Web browser software
  • Email software
  • SAP
  • Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne
  • Manufacturing resource planning MRP software

Becoming a Freight Forwarder

Are there Freight Forwarders education requirements?

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How Long Does it Take to Become a Freight Forwarder?

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Where Freight Forwarders Work

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The table below shows the approximate number of Freight Forwarders employed by various industries.

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References:

Image Credit: Jace Armstrong via public domain

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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