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Cargo agent vs air cargo agent

The differences between cargo agents and air cargo agents can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an air cargo agent has an average salary of $36,182, which is higher than the $35,411 average annual salary of a cargo agent.

The top three skills for a cargo agent include security procedures, data entry and customer service. The most important skills for an air cargo agent are data entry, reservations, and DOT.

Cargo agent vs air cargo agent overview

Cargo AgentAir Cargo Agent
Yearly salary$35,411$36,182
Hourly rate$17.02$17.40
Growth rate1%-
Number of jobs27,87427,082
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average age4343
Years of experience--

What does a cargo agent do?

A cargo agent is primarily in charge of facilitating cargo shipments, ensuring the cargo gets to their destination timely and accurately. They are responsible for preparing and processing the necessary documents and fees, routing shipments and arranging the shipping methods, weighing the parcels, and coordinating the logistics and transportation details. They also negotiate postal and shipping rates, prepare invoices, and maintain records of all transactions and necessary information. Moreover, a cargo agent communicates with clients to answer inquiries, notify them of any delays, and provide updates regularly.

What does an air cargo agent do?

An air cargo agent is responsible for the safety of all air cargo in a flight. They are responsible for inspecting each shipment, logging shipment information, monitoring shipments in transit, and ensuring that shipments reach their destinations. They also determine delivery routes, pick-up locations, and delivery costs. This position is essential for companies that provide constant deliveries, such as online stores. An air cargo agent must have strong research skills, good communication skills, and have a sincere devotion to bringing cargoes safely to their destinations.

Cargo agent vs air cargo agent salary

Cargo agents and air cargo agents have different pay scales, as shown below.

Cargo AgentAir Cargo Agent
Average salary$35,411$36,182
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $45,000Between $26,000 And $50,000
Highest paying CitySan Diego, CA-
Highest paying stateCalifornia-
Best paying companyUnited Service Technologies-
Best paying industryTransportation-

Differences between cargo agent and air cargo agent education

There are a few differences between a cargo agent and an air cargo agent in terms of educational background:

Cargo AgentAir Cargo Agent
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Cargo agent vs air cargo agent demographics

Here are the differences between cargo agents' and air cargo agents' demographics:

Cargo AgentAir Cargo Agent
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 68.6% Female, 31.4%Male, 53.6% Female, 46.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.0% Unknown, 7.1% Hispanic or Latino, 27.5% Asian, 14.1% White, 44.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 6.9% Unknown, 6.8% Hispanic or Latino, 26.5% Asian, 16.1% White, 43.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between cargo agent and air cargo agent duties and responsibilities

Cargo agent example responsibilities.

  • Manage and carry out specific program and regulatory activities such as enforcing hazmat and weight restrictions.
  • Maintain compliance issues relate to TSA, FAA, and cargo operations for several major airlines.
  • Handle various amounts of freight including both FTL, LTL, dry, refrigerate, flatb, and intermodal.
  • Practice safe conscious behaviors in all operational processes and procedures by adhering to strict TSA, IATA, and DCOM regulations.
  • Set up containers for USPS mail.
  • Handle accounts that require FDA clearance.
    • Show more

Air cargo agent example responsibilities.

  • Manage and carry out specific program and regulatory activities such as enforcing hazmat and weight restrictions.
  • Direct inbound and outbound logistics operations, such as transportation or warehouse activities, safety performance, and logistics quality management.
  • Service aircraft as needed for aircraft lavatories, portable water, de-icing and commissary items.
  • Operate vehicles to convey ULD dollies and baggage carts to and from aircraft terminal.
  • Experience in using, tugs, dollies, transporters, lower deck loader, main deck loader, belt loader.

Cargo agent vs air cargo agent skills

Common cargo agent skills
  • Security Procedures, 18%
  • Data Entry, 17%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • Freight Shipments, 7%
  • Computer System, 7%
  • Air Freight, 4%
Common air cargo agent skills
  • Data Entry, 12%
  • Reservations, 9%
  • DOT, 6%
  • FAA, 6%
  • Import Shipments, 6%
  • Patrol, 6%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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