What Do Freight Forwarder Do?
Example of Freight Forwarder Job 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.
What Do Freight Forwarders Do On a Daily Basis?
- Pay or arrange for payment of freight or insurance fees or other charges.
- Review the environmental records of freight carriers to inform shipping decisions.
- Consolidate loads with a common destination to reduce costs to individual shippers.
- Determine efficient and cost-effective methods of moving goods from one location to another.
- Recommend shipping solutions to minimize cost or environmental impacts.
- Analyze shipping routes to determine how to minimize environmental impact.
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Freight Forwarder Needed Skills
Below is a list of the skills most Freight Forwarders say are important on the job.
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.
Other Freight Forwarder Job Titles
- Air Export Agent
- Air Cargo Agent
- Ocean Transportation Intermediary
- Relocation Coordinator
- Transportation Technician
Job Demand 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.

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.
Salary for a Freight Forwarder
The average yearly salary of a Freight Forwarder ranges between $25,970 and $66,920.

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 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Freight Forwarders
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
How do I Become a Freight Forwarder?
What education or degrees do I need to become a Freight Forwarder?

How Long Does it Take to Become a Freight Forwarder?

Where Freight Forwarders Are Employed

Freight Forwarders work in the following industries:

References:
Image Credit: Jace Armstrong via public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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