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Cargo and Freight Agents
(SOC Code : 43-5011)
in California

Expedite and route movement of incoming and outgoing cargo and freight shipments in airline, train, and trucking terminals, and shipping docks. Take orders from customers and arrange pickup of freight and cargo for delivery to loading platform. Prepare and examine bills of lading to determine shipping charges and tariffs.

Employers usually expect an employee in this occupation to be able to do the job after Moderate-term on-the-job training (1-12 months) .

Occupational Wages[Top]
AreaYearPeriodHourly MeanHourly by Percentile
25thMedian75th
California 20231st Qtr$25.85$18.60$24.06$30.26

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Occupational Projections of Employment (also called "Outlook" or "Demand")[Top]
 AreaEstimated Year-Projected YearEmploymentEmployment ChangeTotal Job Openings
EstimatedProjectedNumberPercent
California 2018 - 202813,90016,0002,10015.116,240

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Job Openings from JobCentral National Labor Exchange[Top]
 
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Possible Licenses Required and Issuing Authority[Top]
License Title
License Authority
Cargo Shipper`s AgentDepartment of Insurance
Producer Licensing Bureau
http://www.insurance.ca.gov

About Licenses
 

Industries Employing This Occupation (click on Industry Title to View Employers List)[Top]
Industry Title
Number of Employers in State of California
Percent of Total
Employment for Occupation in State of California
Freight Transportation Arrangement 1,92061.5%
Couriers and Messengers6045.8%
Scheduled Air Transportation 4084.0%
Management, Scientific, and Tech34,7062.9%
General Freight Trucking 3,9002.6%
Warehousing and Storage 1,7161.6%

About Staffing Patterns
 

Training Programs (click on title for more information)[Top]
Program Title
General Office Occupations and Clerical Services
Traffic, Customs, and Transportation Clerk/Technician.

About Training & Apprenticeships
 

About This Occupation (from O*NET - The Occupation Information Network)[Top]
Top Tasks (Specific duties and responsibilities of this job.)
Advise clients on transportation and payment methods.
Track delivery progress of shipments.
Notify consignees, passengers, or customers of freight or baggage arrival and arrange for delivery.
Determine method of shipment and prepare bills of lading, invoices, and other shipping documents.
Estimate freight or postal rates and record shipment costs and weights.
Keep records of all goods shipped, received, and stored.
Enter shipping information into a computer by hand or by a hand-held scanner that reads bar codes on goods.
Check import or export documentation to determine cargo contents and use tariff coding system to classify goods according to fee or tariff group.
Prepare manifests showing numbers of airplane passengers and baggage, mail, and freight weights, transmitting data to destinations.
Negotiate and arrange transport of goods with shipping or freight companies.

More Tasks for Cargo and Freight Agents , More Tasks for Freight Forwarders


Top Skills used in this Job
Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others` actions.
Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Time Management - Managing one`s own time and the time of others.
Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

More Skills for Cargo and Freight Agents , More Skills for Freight Forwarders


Top Abilities (Attributes of the person that influence performance in this job.)
Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

More Abilities for Cargo and Freight Agents , More Abilities for Freight Forwarders


Top Work Values (Aspects of this job that create satisfaction.)
Relationships - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.
Support - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees.

More WorkValues for Cargo and Freight Agents , More WorkValues for Freight Forwarders


Top Interests (The types of activities someone in this job would like.)
Conventional - Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Enterprising - Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

More Interests for Cargo and Freight Agents , More Interests for Freight Forwarders


Alternate Titles
Cargo Agents; Cargo Routers; Dispatchers; Documentation Clerks; Freight Brokers; Freight Forwarders; Freight Shipping Agents; Logistics Coordinators; and Shipping Agents
 
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