Cargo and freight agents
SOC Code: 43-5011
Cargo and freight agents carries a 60% AI exposure score (High automation risk), with a median annual wage of $49,900 and +8.5% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 100,600 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 60% AI exposure, Cargo and freight agents sits 23 points above the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 94% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Where Cargo and freight agents sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Cargo and freight agents has ai exposure of 60%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Cargo and freight agents vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Cargo and freight agents is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Cargo and freight agents (SOC 43-5011) carries an AI exposure score of 60%, placing it in the High automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score in the 40–70% range indicates meaningful automation pressure on specific task categories, but the role as a whole still requires human judgment for coordination, exception handling, or client interaction.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 100,600 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +8.5% change through 2034 - modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $49,900, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires High school diploma or equivalent, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Cargo and freight agents. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Negotiate shipping rates with freight carriers.
- 2. Arrange for special transport of sensitive cargoes, such as livestock, food, or medical supplies.
- 3. Arrange for applicable duties, taxes, or paperwork for customs clearance.
- 4. Inform clients of factors such as shipping options, timelines, transfers, or regulations affecting shipments.
- 5. Prepare shipping documentation, such as bills of lading, packing lists, dock receipts, or certificates of origin.
- 6. Complete customs paperwork.
- 7. Recommend or arrange appropriate merchandise packing methods, according to climate, terrain, weight, nature of goods, or costs.
- 8. Refer exporters to experts in areas such as trade financing, international marketing, government export requirements, international banking, or marine insurance.
- 9. Prepare invoices or cost quotations for freight transportation.
- 10. Select shipment routes, based on nature of goods shipped, transit times, or security needs.
Key Skills Required
- Reading Comprehension
- Coordination
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
- Speaking
- Social Perceptiveness
- Negotiation
- Service Orientation
Knowledge Areas
- Transportation
- Administrative
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administration and Management
- English Language
- Computers and Electronics
- Public Safety and Security
- Geography
- Personnel and Human Resources
- Mathematics
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Cargo and freight agents?
Cargo and freight agents has an AI exposure score of 60%, indicating a high level of automation risk. Some tasks in this role can be augmented or partially automated by AI, but core responsibilities require human judgment.
What is the job outlook for Cargo and freight agents?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Cargo and freight agents is projected to grow by 8.5% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 100,600 workers.
What skills are needed for Cargo and freight agents?
Key skills for Cargo and freight agents include Reading Comprehension, Coordination, Monitoring, and others. Typical entry-level education is High school diploma or equivalent.
How much do Cargo and freight agents earn?
The median annual wage for Cargo and freight agents is $49,900, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Cargo and freight agents?
The typical entry-level education for Cargo and freight agents is High school diploma or equivalent. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Short-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Cargo and freight agents?
Cargo and freight agents roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
High automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. A majority of tasks in this occupation are susceptible to AI automation.
Related Occupations
Career Guides
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).