How to hire a freight coordinator

How to hire a freight coordinator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step freight coordinator hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a freight coordinator job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new freight coordinator
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a freight coordinator do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a freight coordinator, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A freight coordinator's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, freight coordinators from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of freight coordinators and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Freight Coordinator	Description	Hourly rate
   Freight Coordinator	Material recording clerks track product information in order to keep businesses and supply chains on schedule. They ensure proper scheduling, recordkeeping, and inventory control.	$11-27
   Shipper	A shipper is an employee who is responsible for filling customer orders and ensures that the quality of these orders meets the company standards. Shippers are tasked with locating items in a warehouse and preparing them for shipping while completing all the transportation procedures so that no complications arise during the cargo-sending process... Show more	$12-18
   Shipping	When it comes to shipping, a worker is primarily in charge of processing deliveries while ensuring accuracy and timeliness. One of their responsibilities revolves around processing information, maintaining an accurate record of all transactions, inspecting goods, and organizing an efficient transport of goods... Show more	$12-18

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Customer Service
   • Sales Floor
   • Store Transfers
   • Logistics
   • Freight Carriers
   • Merchandise Invoices
   • LTL
   • TMS
   • EDI
   • Purchase Orders
   • Freight Shipments
   • Freight Invoices
   • Forwarders
   • Freight Rates

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage coordination of LCL and FCL with global steamship lines and airlines.
   • Manage, negotiate and track multimillion FTL freight for a consumer electronics company.
   • Monitor and manage inventory levels after final assembly and inspection to ensure on time delivery in a warehouse setting using WMS.
   • Accomplish procedures in the LCL department such as loading of cargo to foreign destinations and customer relations on a daily basis.
   • Manage and coordinate the workload of the release team members and are responsible for organizing and hosting all production release windows.
   • Create export documents for shipping using product HTS codes, weights/dimensions, and individual government standards.

   More freight coordinator duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your freight coordinator job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A freight coordinator salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, freight coordinators' average salary in alaska is 52% less than in new york.
   • Seniority. Entry-level freight coordinators earn 60% less than senior-level freight coordinators.
   • Certifications. A freight coordinator with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a freight coordinator's salary.

   Average freight coordinator salary

   $36,799yearly

   $17.69 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level freight coordinator salary

   $23,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 18, 2025

   Average freight coordinator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Florida	$44,359	$21
   2	California	$42,843	$21
   3	Pennsylvania	$42,409	$20
   4	Massachusetts	$42,228	$20
   5	Louisiana	$38,929	$19
   6	Texas	$37,202	$18
   7	Minnesota	$36,419	$18
   8	Georgia	$36,192	$17
   9	South Carolina	$36,038	$17
   10	Michigan	$35,202	$17
   11	Illinois	$34,894	$17
   12	Alabama	$34,861	$17
   13	Tennessee	$34,601	$17
   14	New Mexico	$34,516	$17
   15	Missouri	$34,516	$17
   16	Ohio	$34,384	$17
   17	Kentucky	$34,064	$16
   18	North Carolina	$32,938	$16
   19	Oregon	$31,096	$15
   20	Colorado	$30,730	$15

   Average freight coordinator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	DeWitt LLP Law Firm	$74,577	$35.85
   2	Scott Logistics	$40,338	$19.39
   3	ADM	$40,279	$19.36
   4	Cosmo	$38,035	$18.29
   5	Hirschbach	$37,934	$18.24
   6	OEConnection	$37,776	$18.16	1
   7	Cargoways Logistics	$37,744	$18.15
   8	QPS	$37,467	$18.01
   9	Randstad North America, Inc.	$37,173	$17.87
   10	Kuehne+Nagel	$37,007	$17.79	3
   11	Hollingsworth	$36,340	$17.47
   12	TPI	$36,130	$17.37	5
   13	Livingston International	$34,906	$16.78	6
   14	ManpowerGroup	$34,429	$16.55	13
   15	AtWork	$32,970	$15.85	3
   16	TERRA Staffing Group	$32,551	$15.65
   17	West Music	$32,448	$15.60
   18	The TJX Companies	$32,319	$15.54	260
   19	The Freeman Company LLC	$32,013	$15.39	1
   20	R.M. Schulte & Associates	$30,784	$14.80

4. Writing a freight coordinator job description

   A job description for a freight coordinator role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a freight coordinator job description:

   Freight coordinator job description example

   TRC Staffing is seeking a Freight Cashier Coordinator for one of the largest, global shipping and transportation companies.
   Essential Functions:
   • Receive checks and Ocean Bills of Lading for both import and export freight
   • Coordinates the delivery of documents
   • Review documents for accuracy, checking that all information received is signed and in the correct amount
   • Enter payment information into company’s internal system and banking system for tracking
   • Inform offices when payment is posted for release of container(s)
   • Process reports for outstanding freight collect charges and statement billing accounts
   • Assist customers regarding inaccurate information and/or issues with payments
   
   Job Specification
   • Conveys information clearly over the phone; expresses patience, empathy and understanding with voice alone; extracts meaning from conversations with people whose native language is other than their own; is polite when asking people to repeat; calms those who are angry and manages multiple calls effectively.
   • Understands most shipping terms; can use a dictionary to find terms not recognized. Is willing to clarify shipping terms unique to a location. Understands routings, schedules and general practices of various countries, carriers, ports and terminals.
   • Understands what the company offers customers and what routes, equipment, rates and services are available.
   • Uses maps, atlases and other geographic reference materials. Knows where nearest ports and terminals are to customers or can use references to find that information. Knows best mode of transportation for ground transport between customer and terminal.
   • Understands specific customer’s goods, shipment requirements and practices. Has an understanding of special rates which might be assigned and knows when to check with sales for possible special rate assignment.
   • Uses word processing software efficiently and effectively. Uses spreadsheet software as a tool for tracking work. Uses other software appropriate to work demands and effectively applies other components of MSOffice required by the job
   Uses questioning to identify the specific problems and related information. Logically determines approach to solving the immediate problem. Identifies parties that need to be involved in tracing shipments and issues. Makes appropriate contacts and works out a reasonable solution. Minimum Qualifications : Secondary School Diploma. 2 years of experience in the Maritime Industry or the equivalent combination of education and experience preferred TRC Staffing is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find freight coordinators for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your freight coordinator job on Zippia to find and recruit freight coordinator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit freight coordinators, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new freight coordinator

   Once you've decided on a perfect freight coordinator candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new freight coordinator. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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