Business & Finance
Freight Forwarders
Research rates, routings, or modes of transport for shipment of products. Maintain awareness of regulations affecting the international movement of cargo. Make arrangements for additional services, such as storage or inland transportation.
Median salary (BLS)
$52,260
10th–90th percentile (BLS)
$38k – $80k
Job outlook
+9% (faster than average)
AI exposure
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports one wage for this occupational group, which covers 2 related roles — so read the median as an approximate group figure, and the range as the truer picture for this specific title. BLS source.
Plan a path to Freight Forwarders
Education
Typical entry: No degree required
Plan my path to this →How to qualify
EstimateCost to qualify
$500–$3,150
Time to qualify
1 yr
Renewal
—
- 1
High school diploma or GED
CourseExpected by most employers; if you need the GED, test fees run $0–$150 depending on the state.
$0–$150 · 3 months · varies by state source
- 2
On-the-job training
ExperienceEmployer-provided and typically paid — days to a few months for most no-degree roles.
Cost varies · 3 months source
- 3
Industry certification (optional for many roles)
CertificationRole-dependent — e.g. CPA, Series 7/65, PMP, SHRM. Not always required, but often expected for advancement.
$500–$3,000 · 6 months source
Estimated typical U.S. route for "Freight Forwarders" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.
Typical progression
Junior Freight Forwarders
Entry / Junior
$38,340
~2 yrs to advance
Freight Forwarders
Established
$52,260
~3 yrs to advance
Senior Freight Forwarders
Senior
$66,035
Key skills
A typical day
- •Negotiate shipping rates with freight carriers.
- •Arrange for special transport of sensitive cargoes, such as livestock, food, or medical supplies.
- •Arrange for applicable duties, taxes, or paperwork for customs clearance.
- •Inform clients of factors such as shipping options, timelines, transfers, or regulations affecting shipments.
- •Prepare shipping documentation, such as bills of lading, packing lists, dock receipts, or certificates of origin.
Fields of study
Any field
Top colleges for Business & Finance
Explore all- University of Pennsylvania6% admit · $112,000 grad pay
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology4% admit · $124,000 grad pay
- Harvard University4% admit · $119,000 grad pay
- University of California, Berkeley11% admit · $97,000 grad pay
- New York University12% admit · $84,000 grad pay
Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.