Freight Forwarders

SOC: 43-5011 O*NET: 43-5011.01
Median Salary
$49,900
per year
Job Growth
πŸš€ 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?

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.

How much can you earn?

Salary Distribution by Percentile

Understanding where you might fall in the salary range based on experience and location.

10th
$29,940
25th
$39,920
50th (Median)
$49,900
75th
$59,880
90th
$74,850

Percentile Explained: If you're in the 75th percentile, you earn more than 75% of workers in this occupation. Entry-level positions typically fall in the 10th-25th percentile range, while experienced professionals often reach the 75th-90th percentile.

Typical Benefits Package

Health & Wellness

  • βœ“Health Insurance
  • βœ“Dental Insurance
  • βœ“Vision Insurance
  • βœ“Mental Health Support
  • βœ“Wellness Programs

Financial Benefits

  • βœ“401(k) Retirement Plan
  • βœ“Employer Match (typically 3-6%)
  • βœ“Profit Sharing
  • βœ“Stock Options
  • βœ“Performance Bonuses

Work-Life Balance

  • βœ“Paid Time Off (15-25 days)
  • βœ“Paid Sick Leave
  • βœ“Flexible Work Arrangements
  • βœ“Remote Work Options
  • βœ“Parental Leave

Professional Development

  • βœ“Tuition Reimbursement
  • βœ“Professional Certifications
  • βœ“Conference Attendance
  • βœ“Training Programs
  • βœ“Mentorship Opportunities

Note: Benefits vary widely by employer, company size, and location. Large corporations and tech companies often offer more comprehensive packages, while small businesses may offer fewer benefits but more flexibility. Always review the complete compensation package, not just base salary.

What's the job outlook?

Job Market Intelligence

High Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk

Current Employment

National Employment:100,600

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

Key Growth Factors

  • β€’Faster than average growth expected
  • β€’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

advanced
Importance100%
skills
5.0/5.0

Reading Comprehension

advanced
Importance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0

Monitoring

intermediate
Importance86%
skills
4.3/5.0

Active Listening

intermediate
Importance80%
skills
4.0/5.0

Critical Thinking

intermediate
Importance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0

Negotiation

intermediate
Importance66%
skills
3.3/5.0

Social Perceptiveness

intermediate
Importance60%
skills
3.0/5.0

Writing

basic
Importance54%
skills
2.7/5.0

Speaking

basic
Importance46%
skills
2.3/5.0

Service Orientation

basic
Importance40%
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:
  • βœ“Coordination
  • βœ“Monitoring
  • βœ“Active Listening
Learn on the Job:
  • β†’Negotiation
  • β†’Social Perceptiveness
  • β†’Writing

Mid Career

Expected:
  • βœ“Coordination
  • βœ“Monitoring
  • βœ“Active Listening
  • βœ“Reading Comprehension

Senior Level

Mastery Required:
  • β˜…Active Listening
  • β˜…Reading Comprehension
  • β˜…Critical Thinking

Skill Development Tips

  • β€’Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
  • β€’Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
  • β€’Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
  • β€’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
πŸ”₯

Hot Technologies in Demand

These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field

Microsoft Outlook

πŸ”₯ Hot Tech

SAP software

πŸ”₯ Hot Tech

Microsoft Office software

πŸ”₯ Hot Tech

Microsoft PowerPoint

πŸ”₯ Hot Tech

Microsoft Excel

πŸ”₯ Hot Tech

Microsoft Word

πŸ”₯ Hot Tech

Technology Stack

Technology Stack Overview

Key technologies used in this career

Microsoft Outlook
SAP software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word

πŸ“š Technology Learning Resources

Recommended Certifications

  • β€’Vendor-specific software certifications
  • β€’Industry-recognized technology credentials
  • β€’Professional development courses

Online Learning Platforms

  • β€’LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
  • β€’Coursera - University-level programs
  • β€’Udemy - Practical skills training

πŸ’‘ Technology Skill Development Tips

  • β€’Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
  • β€’Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
  • β€’Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
  • β€’Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers

What's the work environment like?

πŸ—οΈ
Location
MIXED
πŸ’ͺ
Physical Demand
VERY HIGH
πŸ‘₯
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🀝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT

πŸ’‘Is This Work Environment Right for You?

Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:

  • β€’Are you comfortable working in mixed environments?
  • β€’Can you meet very high physical demands?
  • β€’Do you enjoy some team team environments?
  • β€’Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?

What education is required?

Education Required

High school diploma or equivalent

Experience Required

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful

Job Training

Training of a few months to a year