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Cargo agent vs air export agent

The differences between cargo agents and air export agents can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an air export agent has an average salary of $40,053, 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 export agent are customer service, data entry, and booking.

Cargo agent vs air export agent overview

Cargo AgentAir Export Agent
Yearly salary$35,411$40,053
Hourly rate$17.02$19.26
Growth rate1%-
Number of jobs27,87427,183
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 56%
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 export agent do?

An Air Export Agent is primarily in charge of managing export products' logistics, ensuring that procedures run smoothly and efficiently. Their responsibilities typically revolve around planning and booking transactions, tracking and tracing shipments, preparing and processing the necessary documentation and certifications, complying with government requirements, negotiating shipping fees, and resolving conflicts promptly and efficiently if any arise. Moreover, an Air Export Agent liaises with internal and external parties such as customers and vendors, building positive relationships in the process.

Cargo agent vs air export agent salary

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

Cargo AgentAir Export Agent
Average salary$35,411$40,053
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $45,000Between $28,000 And $56,000
Highest paying CitySan Diego, CA-
Highest paying stateCalifornia-
Best paying companyUnited Service Technologies-
Best paying industryTransportation-

Differences between cargo agent and air export agent education

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

Cargo AgentAir Export Agent
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Cargo agent vs air export agent demographics

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

Cargo AgentAir Export Agent
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 68.6% Female, 31.4%Male, 55.3% Female, 44.7%
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, 26.8% Asian, 16.1% White, 42.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between cargo agent and air export 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 export agent example responsibilities.

  • Comply with current TSA requirements (known/unknown shipper program, cargo screening etc . )
  • Prepare and process bookings with steamship lines and freight forwarders as per customer requests.
  • Assist in developing a global booking strategy to help streamline the booking processes for major accounts.
  • Process shipments in the warehouse and enter them into the TSA monitor system quickly and efficiently.
  • Receipt, safeguard and process all register and accountable mail in accordance with DHL's directives.
  • Prepare and handle all phases of import and export documentation including airway bills and cargo manifest.
  • Show more

Cargo agent vs air export 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 export agent skills
  • Customer Service, 34%
  • Data Entry, 13%
  • Booking, 6%
  • AES, 5%
  • Air Cargo, 3%
  • Hazardous Materials, 3%

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