Description

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.

Interests

Conventional
Enterprising
Realistic

Learn More about Interests

Work Values

Support
Relationships
Working Conditions

Learn More about Work Values

Work Styles

Attention to Detail
Dependability
Stress Tolerance
Analytical Thinking
Achievement/Effort

Learn More about Work Styles

Tasks

Negotiate shipping rates with freight carriers.
Arrange for special transport of sensitive cargoes, such as livestock, food, or medical supplies.
Arrange for applicable duties, taxes, or paperwork for customs clearance.
Inform clients of factors such as shipping options, timelines, transfers, or regulations affecting shipments.
Prepare shipping documentation, such as bills of lading, packing lists, dock receipts, or certificates of origin.

Work Activities

Getting Information
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
Working with Computers
Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Detailed Work Activities

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Technology Skills

Enterprise resource planning ERP software
Presentation software
Materials requirements planning logistics and supply chain software
Electronic mail software
Compliance software

Abilities

Oral Comprehension
Oral Expression
Written Comprehension
Information Ordering
Near Vision

Skills

Coordination
Reading Comprehension
Monitoring
Active Listening
Critical Thinking

Knowledge

Transportation
Administrative
Customer and Personal Service
Administration and Management
English Language

Most Common Education Level

The “Most Common Education Level” refers to the level of education held by the majority of workers in a given occupation. For example, if the highest percentage of workers in a role have an Associate’s Degree, that suggests this is the typical educational requirement. Knowing this helps you plan how many years of education you may need to pursue that career.

Certificates

These are the certification(s) applicable to Freight Forwarders:

Certificate name

Master Customs Specialist

Certifying Organization

The National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America

Type

Specialty

Certificate name

Certified International Freight Forwarder

Certifying Organization

International Trade Certification

Type

Core

Certificate name

Certified Transportation Broker

Certifying Organization

Transportation Intermediaries Association

Type

Core

Certificate name

Air Cargo Professional

Certifying Organization

International Air Transport Association

Type

Core

Certificate name

Certified Customs Specialist

Certifying Organization

The National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America

Type

Core

Certificate name	Certifying Organization	Type
Master Customs Specialist	The National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America	Specialty
Certified International Freight Forwarder	International Trade Certification	Core
Certified Transportation Broker	Transportation Intermediaries Association	Core
Air Cargo Professional	International Air Transport Association	Core
Certified Customs Specialist	The National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America	Core

Income Percentile

The income percentiles show how earnings are distributed within a profession. The 10th percentile means that 10% of workers earned less than that amount. The median (50th percentile) indicates that half of workers earned more, and half earned less. The 90th percentile reflects what the top 10% of earners in the field make.

Income Percentile	Annual Income
Low (10%)	N/A
Median (50%)	N/A
High (90%)	N/A

Income by Experience

This table shows how income typically grows with experience—from entry level (0–2 years), to mid-level (3–5 years), to senior level (6–8 years), to expert level (8+ years).

Experience	Income
Entry Level	N/A
Mid Level	N/A
Senior Level	N/A
Expert Level	N/A

Employability

There are currently 106,700 jobs in this career path. Over the next 10 years, that number is expected to increase to 117,000 positions, reflecting a projected growth of 10%.

The Projected Job Growth figure refers to the expected increase or decrease in employment within a specific career field over a certain period of time.

Projected Job Growth of 10%

Related Careers

Postal Service Mail Carriers

Median Annual Income

$58,262

Projected Job Growth

-3 %

Career Cluster(s)

Public Service & Safety

Most Common Education Level

No formal educational credential

Sort and deliver mail for the United States Postal Service (USPS). Deliver mail on established route by vehicle or on foot. Includes postal service mail carriers employed by USPS contractors.

ConventionalRealistic

Customs Brokers

Median Annual Income

$77,218

Projected Job Growth

+5 %

Career Cluster(s)

Public Service & Safety

Most Common Education Level

Bachelor's degree

Prepare customs documentation and ensure that shipments meet all applicable laws to facilitate the import and export of goods. Determine and track duties and taxes payable and process payments on behalf of client. Sign documents under a power of attorney. Represent clients in meetings with customs officials and apply for duty refunds and tariff reclassifications. Coordinate transportation and storage of imported goods.

ConventionalEnterprising

Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors

Median Annual Income

$63,940

Projected Job Growth

+8 %

Career Cluster(s)

Supply Chain & Transportation

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Supervise and coordinate the activities of ground crew in the loading, unloading, securing, and staging of aircraft cargo or baggage. May determine the quantity and orientation of cargo and compute aircraft center of gravity. May accompany aircraft as member of flight crew and monitor and handle cargo in flight, and assist and brief passengers on safety and emergency procedures. Includes loadmasters.

EnterprisingConventionalRealistic

Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks

Median Annual Income

$40,256

Projected Job Growth

+4 %

Career Cluster(s)

Hospitality, Events, & Tourism

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Make and confirm reservations for transportation or lodging, or sell transportation tickets. May check baggage and direct passengers to designated concourse, pier, or track; deliver tickets and contact individuals and groups to inform them of package tours; or provide tourists with travel or transportation information.

ConventionalSocialEnterprising

Postal Service Clerks

Median Annual Income

$59,788

Projected Job Growth

-3 %

Career Cluster(s)

Public Service & Safety

Most Common Education Level

No formal educational credential

Perform any combination of tasks in a United States Postal Service (USPS) post office, such as receive letters and parcels; sell postage and revenue stamps, postal cards, and stamped envelopes; fill out and sell money orders; place mail in pigeon holes of mail rack or in bags; and examine mail for correct postage. Includes postal service clerks employed by USPS contractors.

ConventionalRealistic

Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance

Median Annual Income

$48,148

Projected Job Growth

0 %

Career Cluster(s)

Public Service & Safety

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Schedule and dispatch workers, work crews, equipment, or service vehicles for conveyance of materials, freight, or passengers, or for normal installation, service, or emergency repairs rendered outside the place of business. Duties may include using radio, telephone, or computer to transmit assignments and compiling statistics and reports on work progress.

ConventionalRealistic

Cargo and Freight Agents

Median Annual Income

$52,607

Projected Job Growth

+10 %

Career Cluster(s)

Supply Chain & Transportation

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

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.

ConventionalEnterprising

Couriers and Messengers

Median Annual Income

$36,796

Projected Job Growth

+8 %

Career Cluster(s)

Supply Chain & Transportation

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Pick up and deliver messages, documents, packages, and other items between offices or departments within an establishment or directly to other business concerns, traveling by foot, bicycle, motorcycle, automobile, or public conveyance.

ConventionalRealisticSocial

Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks

Median Annual Income

$41,312

Projected Job Growth

-8 %

Career Cluster(s)

Supply Chain & Transportation

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Verify and maintain records on incoming and outgoing shipments involving inventory. Duties include verifying and recording incoming merchandise or material and arranging for the transportation of products. May prepare items for shipment.

ConventionalRealisticEnterprising

First-Line Supervisors of Material-Moving Machine and Vehicle Operators

Median Annual Income

Projected Job Growth

+5 %

Career Cluster(s)

Supply Chain & Transportation

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of material-moving machine and vehicle operators and helpers.

EnterprisingRealisticConventional

The career information and data on this site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services, Lightcast, CareerOneStop, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For more details regarding the data sources and the specific information sourced, click here.