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.
Freight Forwarders
SOC: 43-5011 O*NET: 43-5011.01
Median Salary
$49,900
per year
Job Growth
🚀 8.5%
Much Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
8.8
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
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 does a Freight Forwarders do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$37,240
10th percentile
Early Career
$43,490
25th percentile
Median
$49,900
50th percentile
Experienced
$62,230
75th percentile
Top Earners
$76,350
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$37,240
25th
$43,490
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$49,900
Mean: $55,420
75th
$62,230
90th
$76,350
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $39,110 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $43,490 and $62,230
- •Salary spread is 37.6% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 97,800 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
High Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:100,600
Top Industries
Support Activities for Transportation65.7%
Freight Transportation Arrangement56.2%
Air Transportation10.1%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+8.5%
Annual Openings:8,800
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)100,600
Current
2034 (Projected)109,200
+8.5%
+8,600
Employment Change
+8.5%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Faster than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Freight Forwarders professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 48 locations
California
14,940 jobs$56,1001.30x
Texas
9,460 jobs$46,5801.08x
Illinois
6,820 jobs$48,4201.77x
Florida
6,470 jobs$48,8501.04x
New York
5,930 jobs$57,2300.98x
Ohio
3,740 jobs$47,9001.07x
North Carolina
3,710 jobs$46,8801.19x
New Jersey
3,140 jobs$62,8601.16x
Arizona
3,050 jobs$42,6401.50x
Georgia
2,910 jobs$55,7100.94x
Michigan
2,650 jobs$47,7500.95x
Washington
2,460 jobs$55,1401.10x
Pennsylvania
2,360 jobs$46,0800.62x
South Carolina
2,130 jobs$51,4201.48x
Kentucky
2,050 jobs$45,1001.62x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Faster than average growth expected
- •High current market demand
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Coordination
100%
#2
Reading Comprehension
94%
#3
Monitoring
86%
#4
Active Listening
80%
#5
Critical Thinking
74%
#6
Negotiation
66%
#7
Social Perceptiveness
60%
#8
Writing
54%
#9
Speaking
46%
#10
Service Orientation
40%
Skills Overview
Coordination
advanced5.0
100%
Reading Comprehension
advanced4.7
94%
Monitoring
intermediate4.3
86%
Active Listening
intermediate4.0
80%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.7
74%
Negotiation
intermediate3.3
66%
Social Perceptiveness
intermediate3.0
60%
Writing
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Coordination
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Reading Comprehension
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Negotiation
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Writing
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Speaking
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Service Orientation
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Registered Nurses82%
5 shared skills
Counter and Rental Clerks82%
5 shared skills
Court, Municipal, and License Clerks82%
5 shared skills
Credit Authorizers, Checkers, and Clerks82%
5 shared skills
First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers82%
5 shared skills
Fundraisers82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Coordination
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Active Listening
Learn on the Job:
- →Negotiation
- →Social Perceptiveness
- →Writing
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Coordination
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Reading Comprehension
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Critical Thinking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Freight Forwarders
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechSAP software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
SAP software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏗️
Location
MIXED
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mixed environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (12)Documentation & Record-Keeping (5)Planning & Development (1)Communication & Coordination (1)Management & Supervision (1)Training & Development (1)
1
Negotiate and arrange transport of goods with shipping or freight companies.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Advise clients on transportation and payment methods.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Determine method of shipment and prepare bills of lading, invoices, and other shipping documents.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping94% perform96%
4
Estimate freight or postal rates and record shipment costs and weights.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping91% perform94%
5
Enter shipping information into a computer by hand or by a hand-held scanner that reads bar codes on goods.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Retrieve stored items and trace lost shipments as necessary.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Pack goods for shipping, using tools such as staplers, strapping machines, and hammers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Direct delivery trucks to shipping doors or designated marshaling areas and help load and unload goods safely.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development79% perform86%
9
Inspect and count items received and check them against invoices or other documents, recording shortages and rejecting damaged goods.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping76% perform84%
10
Install straps, braces, and padding to loads to prevent shifting or damage during shipment.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Freight Forwarders
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Freight Forwarders professionals typically have a CER Holland code and highly value support
CConventional
EEnterprising
RRealistic
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Freight Forwarders
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.90
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.75
Stress Tolerance
CriticalStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.73
Analytical Thinking
Very ImportantAnalytical Thinking
Importance Level4.48
Adaptability/Flexibility
Very ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level4.45
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.44
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.9
Dependability
4.8
Stress Tolerance
4.7
Analytical Thinking
4.5
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.5
Cooperation
4.4
Achievement/Effort
4.4
Self-Control
4.4
Independence
4.3
Integrity
4.3
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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