Cargo agent vs export coordinator

The differences between cargo agents and export coordinators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an export coordinator has an average salary of $43,911, 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 export coordinator are customer service, logistics, and booking.

Cargo agent vs export coordinator overview

	Cargo Agent	Export Coordinator
Yearly salary	$35,411	$43,911
Hourly rate	$17.02	$21.11
Growth rate	1%	-3%
Number of jobs	27,874	16,847
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 40%	Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Average age	43	43
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 export coordinator do?

Export coordinators are logistics experts who prepare cargo and shipments to ship abroad while filling out paperwork and all other required documents to successfully ship and clear international orders. By coordinating with the logistics department, these coordinators are required to provide top of the line logistics service with their customers so that they can forge long-lasting business partnerships. They must evaluate issues and disputes related to customs, logistics, and damaged items as well as inform customers about the cause of shipment delay. Export coordinators must also communicate with freight forwarders to facilitate the movement of freight overseas.

Cargo agent vs export coordinator salary

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

	Cargo Agent	Export Coordinator
Average salary	$35,411	$43,911
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $45,000	Between $32,000 And $59,000
Highest paying City	San Diego, CA	Valley Stream, NY
Highest paying state	California	New York
Best paying company	United Service Technologies	RH
Best paying industry	Transportation	Manufacturing

Differences between cargo agent and export coordinator education

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

	Cargo Agent	Export Coordinator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 40%	Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Cargo agent vs export coordinator demographics

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

	Cargo Agent	Export Coordinator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 68.6% Female, 31.4%	Male, 38.2% Female, 61.8%
Race ratio	Black 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, 7.8% Unknown, 6.6% Hispanic or Latino, 26.9% Asian, 16.2% White, 41.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	11%	11%

Differences between cargo agent and export coordinator 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.

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Export coordinator example responsibilities.

Initiate and implement quality control procedures, and attain ISO & FAMI-QS certifications.
Manage OEM exports throughout Europe for a veterinary equipment manufacturer.
Issue and submit documentation to ensure proper exportation of client FCL and/or LCL shipments.
Coordinate and communicate with freight forwarders to facilitate movement of freight for overseas transportation to ensure timely shipment and clearance.
Coordinate and determine cost-effective, efficient, competitive method of transportation, and consolidation with freight forwarders to execute the business.
Sign drivers in and out BOL.

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Cargo agent vs export coordinator skills

Common cargo agent skills

Security Procedures, 18%
Data Entry, 17%
Customer Service, 8%
Freight Shipments, 7%
Computer System, 7%
Air Freight, 4%

Common export coordinator skills

Customer Service, 13%
Logistics, 11%
Booking, 7%
Forwarders, 6%
Export, 6%
Import Export, 6%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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