Cargo and Freight Agents

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.

Conventional - Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

1. Negotiate and arrange transport of goods with shipping or freight companies.

2. Notify consignees, passengers, or customers of the arrival of freight or baggage, and arrange for delivery.

3. Advise clients on transportation and payment methods.

4. Prepare manifests showing baggage, mail, and freight weights, and number of passengers on airplanes, and transmit data to destinations.

5. Determine method of shipment, and prepare bills of lading, invoices, and other shipping documents.

6. Check import/export documentation to determine cargo contents, and classify goods into different fee or tariff groups, using a tariff coding system.

7. Estimate freight or postal rates, and record shipment costs and weights.

8. Enter shipping information into a computer by hand or by using a hand-held scanner that reads bar codes on goods.

9. Retrieve stored items and trace lost shipments as necessary.

10. Pack goods for shipping, using tools such as staplers, strapping machines, and hammers.

11. Direct delivery trucks to shipping doors or designated marshalling areas, and help load and unload goods safely.

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

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.

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

Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Negotiation - Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.

Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Transportation - Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.

Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Geography - Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.

Clerical - Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed

Education: These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work. In some cases, an associate's or bachelor's degree could be needed.

Training: Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees.

The college search results are undergraduate programs associated with Cargo and Freight Agents. Further education may also be required to pursue this career.

The training search results include both short and long-term programs associated with Cargo and Freight Agents, and may be more appropriate for adult and non-traditional students. Further training may also be required to pursue this career.

In NY the average wage for this occupation was:

$24,860 for entry level workers, and $44,540 for experienced workers.

Based on the total number of annual openings and its growth rate, the employment prospects for this occupation are described as Less Favorable.

During 2006, there were approximately 8,370 Cargo and Freight Agents employed in NY.

We estimate that in 2016 there will be 8,550  employed in NY. This represents an increase of 20 job(s) each year, and a total of 230 job openings each year.

Material recording, scheduling, dispatching, and distributing occupations, except postal workers (Intro) - Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.

Cargo and freight agents - Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.

Transportation Specialists - Visit this link for information on this career in the military.

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