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What is a cargo operations manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a cargo operations manager. For example, did you know that they make an average of $40.35 an hour? That's $83,919 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 6% and produce 189,200 job opportunities across the U.S.
ScoreCargo Operations ManagerUS Average
Salary
6.6

Avg. Salary $83,919

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
9.6

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
3.5
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.47%

Asian 6.35%

Black or African American 6.16%

Hispanic or Latino 15.12%

Unknown 4.33%

White 67.57%

Gender

female 10.22%

male 89.78%

Age - 44
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 44
Stress level
9.6

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
9.2

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
3.6

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a cargo operations manager

  1. Explore cargo operations manager education requirements

    Most common cargo operations manager degrees

    Bachelor's

    50.9 %

    Associate

    23.6 %

    Master's

    14.2 %
  2. Start to develop specific cargo operations manager skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Customer Service19.18%
    Safety Program12.26%
    Cargo Operations12.02%
    IATA6.70%
    Logistics Support6.34%
  3. Complete relevant cargo operations manager training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New cargo operations managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a cargo operations manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real cargo operations manager resumes.
  4. Research cargo operations manager duties and responsibilities

    • Manage payroll distribution process ensuring timeliness, accuracy, and confidentiality to protect client's privacy and prevent liability of exposure.
    • Communicate to the freight forwarders and other airlines to ensure timely delivery of shipments.
    • Maintain good working relationship with forwarders, and developing and maintaining distribution channels.
    • Manage payroll distribution process ensuring timeliness, accuracy, and confidentiality to protect client's privacy and prevent liability of exposure.
  5. Apply for cargo operations manager jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a cargo operations manager job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first cargo operations manager job

Zippi

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Average cargo operations manager salary

The average cargo operations manager salary in the United States is $83,919 per year or $40 per hour. Cargo operations manager salaries range between $57,000 and $123,000 per year.

Average cargo operations manager salary
$83,919 Yearly
$40.35 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do cargo operations managers rate their job?

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Cargo operations manager reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2019
Cons

Operations never stops, its always up and running and you have to be available at any time


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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