Cargo and Freight Agents
SOC Code: 43-5011 Job Zone 2: Some Preparation Needed
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.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Cargo and Freight Agents. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut nonmetropolitan area | $52,312 | $73,611 | $94,910 | $116,210 |
| Rochester, MN | $42,141 | $62,795 | $83,429 | $104,083 |
| Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT | $49,899 | $65,208 | $80,517 | $95,826 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $49,941 | $63,544 | $77,168 | $90,771 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $42,806 | $58,552 | $74,277 | $90,022 |
| Columbia, MO | $43,514 | $58,406 | $73,278 | $88,171 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $43,514 | $58,406 | $73,278 | $88,171 |
| Vallejo, CA | $50,939 | $62,754 | $74,589 | $86,403 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $42,786 | $56,722 | $70,637 | $84,573 |
| East South Dakota nonmetropolitan area | $52,998 | $63,274 | $73,570 | $83,845 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Speaking | 3.6 | |
| Active Listening | 3.5 | |
| Critical Thinking | 3.2 | |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.2 | |
| Negotiation | 3.1 | |
| Time Management | 3.1 | |
| Monitoring | 3.0 | |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.0 | |
| Service Orientation | 3.0 | |
| Coordination | 3.0 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Transportation | 4.6 |
| Geography | 4.5 |
| Public Safety and Security | 4.0 |
| English Language | 3.9 |
| Administration and Management | 3.9 |
| Education and Training | 3.5 |
| Law and Government | 3.5 |
| Telecommunications | 3.4 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree | 30.8% |
| Post-secondary certificate | 19.1% |
| Some college | 18.1% |
| Associate's degree | 18.1% |
| High school diploma | 12.2% |
| Less than high school | 1.7% |
Typical Tasks
- Negotiate and arrange transport of goods with shipping or freight companies.
- Advise clients on transportation and payment methods.
- Determine method of shipment and prepare bills of lading, invoices, and other shipping documents.
- Estimate freight or postal rates and record shipment costs and weights.
- Enter shipping information into a computer by hand or by a hand-held scanner that reads bar codes on goods.
- Retrieve stored items and trace lost shipments as necessary.
- Keep records of all goods shipped, received, and stored.
- Track delivery progress of shipments.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Word SAP software Brokerage software Corel WordPerfect Office Suite Database software Email software Microsoft OneNote Operating system software Posting software Spreadsheet software Transportation management software
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