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Cargo handler salary
Average cargo handler salary
$15.41
Average Cargo Handler Salary
The average salary for a cargo handler in the United States is approximately $32,044 per year, which translates to about $15.41 per hour. These figures can vary based on several factors, including geographic location, level of experience, and specific employer. Entry-level positions typically start at a lower wage, while experienced cargo handlers can earn significantly more, particularly in high-demand areas.
How Location Impacts Salary
Different states offer varying salary ranges for cargo handlers. For instance, states with significant shipping and logistics operations, such as California and Texas, tend to provide higher wages. On the other hand, regions with less demand may offer lower average salaries. Understanding these geographical influences can help job seekers target their applications effectively.
Opportunities for Growth
As you gain experience and possibly take on supervisory roles, your earning potential is likely to increase. Some cargo handlers also transition into related fields such as logistics management or freight operations, further enhancing their career prospects and salary potential.
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Where can a Cargo Handler earn more?
Cargo handler salaries by experience level
Cargo handler salary estimates from across the web
Average cargo handler salary by state
The average cargo handler salary in New York, Alaska, and Indiana are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average cargo handler salary states are West Virginia, South Dakota, and Louisiana.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for cargo handlers
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indiana | $37,943 | $18.24 |
| 2 | Ohio | $35,976 | $17.30 |
| 3 | Vermont | $37,832 | $18.19 |
| 4 | Wisconsin | $34,107 | $16.40 |
| 5 | New Hampshire | $35,837 | $17.23 |
| 6 | Kentucky | $33,911 | $16.30 |
| 7 | Iowa | $34,215 | $16.45 |
| 8 | Minnesota | $35,444 | $17.04 |
| 9 | Rhode Island | $37,159 | $17.86 |
| 10 | Pennsylvania | $32,966 | $15.85 |
| 11 | Alaska | $39,208 | $18.85 |
| 12 | Oregon | $36,016 | $17.32 |
| 13 | New York | $39,619 | $19.05 |
| 14 | California | $37,688 | $18.12 |
| 15 | Arizona | $33,420 | $16.07 |
| 16 | Washington | $35,551 | $17.09 |
| 17 | Utah | $33,604 | $16.16 |
| 18 | Montana | $34,604 | $16.64 |
| 19 | Massachusetts | $35,100 | $16.88 |
| 20 | District of Columbia | $40,777 | $19.60 |
| 21 | Colorado | $36,043 | $17.33 |
| 22 | North Dakota | $34,152 | $16.42 |
| 23 | New Jersey | $32,737 | $15.74 |
| 24 | Michigan | $32,098 | $15.43 |
| 25 | Idaho | $31,461 | $15.13 |
| 26 | Hawaii | $37,437 | $18.00 |
| 27 | Nebraska | $32,436 | $15.59 |
| 28 | Georgia | $31,615 | $15.20 |
| 29 | Illinois | $31,773 | $15.28 |
| 30 | Tennessee | $29,897 | $14.37 |
| 31 | Nevada | $31,601 | $15.19 |
| 32 | Maryland | $32,140 | $15.45 |
| 33 | Missouri | $32,021 | $15.39 |
| 34 | Arkansas | $29,737 | $14.30 |
| 35 | Wyoming | $31,493 | $15.14 |
| 36 | Maine | $30,664 | $14.74 |
| 37 | Kansas | $30,285 | $14.56 |
| 38 | Delaware | $31,983 | $15.38 |
| 39 | Connecticut | $32,021 | $15.39 |
| 40 | Texas | $31,327 | $15.06 |
| 41 | Oklahoma | $30,417 | $14.62 |
| 42 | North Carolina | $30,445 | $14.64 |
| 43 | South Carolina | $30,012 | $14.43 |
| 44 | South Dakota | $29,079 | $13.98 |
| 45 | Mississippi | $28,281 | $13.60 |
| 46 | Virginia | $31,108 | $14.96 |
| 47 | West Virginia | $29,112 | $14.00 |
| 48 | Alabama | $28,612 | $13.76 |
| 49 | Florida | $29,651 | $14.26 |
| 50 | Louisiana | $28,846 | $13.87 |
| 51 | New Mexico | $24,901 | $11.97 |
Highest paying cities for cargo handlers
The highest-paying cities for cargo handlers are San Francisco, CA, Beavercreek, OH, and Baltimore, MD.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $38,457 | $18.49 |
| 2 | Beavercreek, OH | $35,632 | $17.13 |
| 3 | Baltimore, MD | $32,209 | $15.49 |
| 4 | Tampa, FL | $29,683 | $14.27 |
Cargo handler salary details
A cargo handler's salary ranges from $26,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $39,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a cargo handler's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $39,000 | $3,250 | $19 |
| 75th Percentile | $35,000 | $2,917 | $17 |
| Average | $32,044 | $2,670 | $15 |
| 25th Percentile | $28,000 | $2,333 | $13 |
| 10th Percentile | $26,000 | $2,167 | $13 |
Highest paying cargo handler jobs
The highest paying types of cargo handlers are stock unloader, material handler lead, and driver/material handler.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dock Worker | $36,027 | $3,002 | $17.32 | 119,104 |
| Loader/Unloader | $31,827 | $2,652 | $15.30 | 67,063 |
| Stock Unloader | $43,736 | $3,645 | $21.03 | 75,994 |
| Stacker | $29,046 | $2,420 | $13.96 | 27,528 |
| Mover | $33,187 | $2,766 | $15.96 | 4,222 |
| Unloader | $32,885 | $2,740 | $15.81 | 63,202 |
Top companies hiring cargo handlers now:
Which companies pay cargo handlers the most?
Cargo handler salaries at Worldwide Flight Services Inc and Menzies Aviation are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average cargo handler salary at companies like Amazon and Amerijet International are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Worldwide Flight Services Inc | $35,726 | $17.18 |
| 2 | Menzies Aviation | $35,276 | $16.96 |
| 3 | Amazon | $34,732 | $16.70 |
| 4 | Amerijet International | $33,331 | $16.02 |
| 5 | LGSTX Services | $32,771 | $15.76 |
| 6 | Atlantic Companies Holding Corporation | $32,693 | $15.72 |
| 7 | SOC | $32,649 | $15.70 |
| 8 | Signature Technicair | $32,599 | $15.67 |
| 9 | Forward Air | $32,150 | $15.46 |
| 10 | Ryder System | $32,071 | $15.42 |
| 11 | Kelly Services | $31,833 | $15.30 |
| 12 | DHL | $31,491 | $15.14 |
| 13 | Lynden | $31,346 | $15.07 |
| 14 | Randstad North America, Inc. | $31,276 | $15.04 |
| 15 | Elwood Staffing | $30,700 | $14.76 |
| 16 | Automation Personnel Services | $29,517 | $14.19 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Cargo handler salary trends
The average cargo handler salary has risen by $7,589 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average cargo handler earned $24,455 annually, but today, they earn $32,044 a year. That works out to a 20% change in pay for cargo handlers over the last decade.
Compare cargo handler salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average cargo handler salary over time
Compare cargo handler salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Cargo handler salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $32,000 | $15.41 | +5.2% |
| 2024 | $30,400 | $14.61 | +4.2% |
| 2023 | $29,100 | $13.99 | +4.3% |
| 2022 | $27,800 | $13.39 | +3.9% |
| 2021 | $26,800 | $12.86 | +3.7% |
Recently added cargo handler salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hub Group | Cargo Handler II | Hyattsville, MD | 06/27/2025 | $38,630 |
| Hub Group | Cargo Handler I | Leetsdale, PA | 06/26/2025 | $36,022 |
| Comtrak Logistics | Cargo Handler II | Hyattsville, MD | 06/24/2025 | $38,630 |
| Comtrak Logistics | Cargo Handler I | Leetsdale, PA | 06/24/2025 | $36,022 |
| Menzies Aviation | Cargo Ramp Handler | Rockford, IL | 06/20/2025 | $39,653 |
| Menzies Aviation Careers | Cargo Handler | Nome, TX | 06/19/2025 | $37,566 |
| Hub Group | Cargo Handler II | Toone, TN | 06/16/2025 | $38,630 |
| Hub Group | Cargo Handler II | Fontana, CA | 06/10/2025 | $42,137 |
| Hub Group | Cargo Handler II | Garland, TX | 06/10/2025 | $40,383 |
| Hub Group | Cargo Handler II | Noma, FL | 06/08/2025 | $38,630 |
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