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Cargo agent vs freight broker

The differences between cargo agents and freight brokers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a freight broker has an average salary of $52,390, 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 a freight broker are TMS, logistics, and FTL.

Cargo agent vs freight broker overview

Cargo AgentFreight Broker
Yearly salary$35,411$52,390
Hourly rate$17.02$25.19
Growth rate1%5%
Number of jobs27,8747,528
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
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 a freight broker do?

Freight brokers have licensed property brokers who provide assistance to shippers in hauling materials. Their job involves linking carriers and shippers in hauling materials. They take part in the shipping logistics of organizations or companies. Among the matters they negotiate include tracking of shipments, keeping delivery and pickup tracks, and shipping rates. Among the necessary skills for this job include customer service, negotiation, communication, and marketing.

Cargo agent vs freight broker salary

Cargo agents and freight brokers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Cargo AgentFreight Broker
Average salary$35,411$52,390
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $45,000Between $35,000 And $77,000
Highest paying CitySan Diego, CA-
Highest paying stateCalifornia-
Best paying companyUnited Service Technologies-
Best paying industryTransportation-

Differences between cargo agent and freight broker education

There are a few differences between a cargo agent and a freight broker in terms of educational background:

Cargo AgentFreight Broker
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Cargo agent vs freight broker demographics

Here are the differences between cargo agents' and freight brokers' demographics:

Cargo AgentFreight Broker
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 68.6% Female, 31.4%Male, 64.6% Female, 35.4%
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, 5.3% Unknown, 6.6% Hispanic or Latino, 16.2% Asian, 12.9% White, 58.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between cargo agent and freight broker 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

Freight broker example responsibilities.

  • Manage EDI transmit pricing on orders from customers.
  • Manage, inspect, photograph, and create reports biweekly for U.S. department of HUD and Fannie Mae assign properties.
  • Book dry and refrigerate freight for FTL and LTL loads.
  • Specialize in working with power only units and flat beds experience in working with FTL, and LTL shipments.
  • Create, develop and retain business relationships with shippers.
  • Provide RFP's for large company customers
    • Show more

Cargo agent vs freight broker skills

Common cargo agent skills
  • Security Procedures, 18%
  • Data Entry, 17%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • Freight Shipments, 7%
  • Computer System, 7%
  • Air Freight, 4%
Common freight broker skills
  • TMS, 19%
  • Logistics, 18%
  • FTL, 17%
  • Shippers, 12%
  • LTL, 4%
  • Freight Carriers, 4%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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