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Salary

How much does a Freight Forwarder make?

The average salary for a Freight Forwarder is $86,660 per year in the US.

Freight Forwarders manage the logistics of shipping goods across different countries. The salary for this job can vary based on experience and location. An entry-level forwarder might earn around $35,000 per year. With more experience, this number can grow. The average yearly salary for a Freight Forwarder is around $86,660. A seasoned professional could earn over $200,000 per year.


These are the average earnings in different salary brackets:

  • 10th percentile: $35,016
  • 25th percentile: $52,851
  • 50th percentile: $88,520
  • 75th percentile: $159,860
  • 90th percentile: $213,365

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What are the highest paying cities for a Freight Forwarder?

Job seekers who want to work as freight forwarders have many options in cities like Seattle, WA, and San Francisco, CA. These locations offer high salaries to those with the needed skills. Seattle tops the list with an average salary of $179,519, followed closely by San Francisco at $173,025. These numbers provide a strong incentive for professionals to consider these cities. Other cities also offer good opportunities. Chicago, IL, and Austin, TX, come next with averages of $157,184 and $133,032, respectively. Los Angeles, CA, and Boston, MA, follow closely behind, with salaries of $130,633 and $107,435. These cities show that there are many places with good pay for freight forwarders.
Graph displaying highest paying cities salaries for Freight Forwarder jobs, highlighting Seattle, WA with the highest at $179,519 and Miami, FL with the lowest at $76,378.
  1. Seattle, WA
    Average Salary: $179,519
    In Seattle, you can work with global companies like Expeditors and Maersk. The city's key port makes it a hub for shipping activities. The vibrant job market offers good opportunities for professionals in logistics.
    Find Freight Forwarder jobs in Seattle, WA


  2. San Francisco, CA
    Average Salary: $173,025
    San Francisco boasts companies like C.H. Robinson and DHL. The city's proximity to the Port of San Francisco provides ample opportunities for those in logistics. Networking with industry leaders here can open many doors.
    Find Freight Forwarder jobs in San Francisco, CA


  3. Chicago, IL
    Average Salary: $157,184
    Chicago is a central point for freight forwarding with companies like UPS and Kuehne + Nagel. The city's extensive rail and road networks make it easy to transport goods. The logistics sector here is dynamic and always growing.
    Find Freight Forwarder jobs in Chicago, IL


  4. Austin, TX
    Average Salary: $133,032
    Austin's tech-savvy environment attracts companies like FedEx and CEVA Logistics. The city's growing business scene offers many job opportunities. It's a great place for those who love both innovation and logistics.
    Find Freight Forwarder jobs in Austin, TX


  5. Los Angeles, CA
    Average Salary: $130,633
    With major ports like LA and Long Beach, companies like Schneider and DHL thrive here. The city's vast logistics infrastructure offers excellent job prospects. Working here means being part of a bustling industry.
    Find Freight Forwarder jobs in Los Angeles, CA


  6. Boston, MA
    Average Salary: $107,435
    Boston is home to companies like Kühne + Nagel and Agility. The city's rich history in trade makes it a key spot for logistics. The job market here is competitive, but rewarding for skilled professionals.
    Find Freight Forwarder jobs in Boston, MA


  7. San Diego, CA
    Average Salary: $85,336
    San Diego's Port is a major gateway for shipping, attracting companies like CEVA and GAC. The city's warm climate and scenic location make it an attractive place to work. The logistics industry here is both dynamic and growing.
    Find Freight Forwarder jobs in San Diego, CA


  8. Cleveland, OH
    Average Salary: $79,267
    Cleveland's central location makes it a key logistics hub. Companies like C.H. Robinson and DHL operate here. The city offers a mix of big-company stability and smaller, local firms. It's a great spot for logistics careers.
    Find Freight Forwarder jobs in Cleveland, OH


  9. Indianapolis, IN
    Average Salary: $79,002
    Indianapolis is a logistics hotspot with companies like Expeditors and Flexport. The city's central U.S. location makes it ideal for freight forwarding. Job opportunities here are plentiful and varied.
    Find Freight Forwarder jobs in Indianapolis, IN


  10. Miami, FL
    Average Salary: $76,378
    Miami's strategic location near the Caribbean and Latin America makes it a key logistics hub. Companies like Crowley Maritime and UPS thrive here. The warm climate and vibrant culture make it a great place to work.
    Find Freight Forwarder jobs in Miami, FL

What are the best companies a Freight Forwarder can work for?

Companies like Databricks and Boston Consulting Group offer some of the highest salaries for freight forwarders. Databricks, known for its tech innovations, pays its freight forwarders about $215,506 a year. Similarly, Boston Consulting Group offers an average salary of $190,000 annually. Other top-paying companies include Deloitte, Accenture, and Rippling, providing competitive salaries for those in this role.
Graph displaying best paying company salaries for Freight Forwarder jobs, highlighting Databricks with the highest at $215,506 and DSV with the lowest at $51,768.
  1. Databricks
    Average Salary: $215,506
    Databricks hires talented freight forwarders who manage international shipments. They work with clients across various sectors. Their offices in the United States, Europe, and Asia offer diverse opportunities.


  2. Boston Consulting Group
    Average Salary: $190,000
    At Boston Consulting Group, freight forwarders analyze logistics and supply chain strategies. They work with companies to improve efficiency. Locations in the U.S., Europe, and Asia provide a global perspective.


  3. Deloitte
    Average Salary: $188,912
    Deloitte offers freight forwarding roles that focus on optimizing logistics. They handle complex supply chains for clients. Offices worldwide allow freight forwarders to gain international experience.


  4. Accenture
    Average Salary: $185,778
    Accenture employs freight forwarders to manage logistics solutions. They work on projects that improve transportation efficiency. Locations in North America, Europe, and Asia provide a global reach.


  5. Rippling
    Average Salary: $173,250
    Rippling hires freight forwarders to streamline their logistics operations. They handle international shipping and ensure timely deliveries. Their offices in the U.S. and Europe offer a dynamic work environment.


  6. PwC
    Average Salary: $139,500
    PwC seeks freight forwarders to manage their supply chain logistics. They work on projects that improve efficiency. Locations in North America, Europe, and Asia provide a global perspective.


  7. OEC Group
    Average Salary: $97,778
    OEC Group employs freight forwarders to manage logistics for their clients. They handle shipping and ensure smooth operations. Their offices in North America and Europe offer various opportunities.


  8. DSV
    Average Salary: $51,768
    DSV hires freight forwarders to manage their logistics operations. They handle international shipping and ensure timely deliveries. Locations in Europe and North America offer a dynamic work environment.

How to earn more as a Freight Forwarder?

In the competitive world of freight forwarding, increasing your earnings is achievable through strategic actions and skill enhancement. Professionals can boost their income by focusing on key areas that enhance their service offerings and efficiency. Building strong relationships with clients and carriers often leads to higher-paying contracts and referrals. Expertise in logistics management and technology can streamline operations and reduce costs, leading to better profit margins.

Networking plays a crucial role in discovering new opportunities and partnerships that can significantly boost earnings. Attending industry conferences, participating in online forums, and joining professional organizations can open doors to high-paying roles and projects. Mastery of multiple languages and cultural understandings can expand market reach and provide an edge in serving diverse client needs. Investment in education and certifications can lead to higher-paying positions and more responsibilities within a company. Continuous improvement in customer service and operational efficiency ensures that a freight forwarding business remains competitive and capable of higher earnings.

Here are five factors that can help increase earnings as a freight forwarder:

  1. Expand Service Offerings: Diversify services to include customs brokerage, warehousing, and insurance to attract more clients.
  2. Enhance Technology Skills: Utilize advanced logistics software to improve efficiency and reduce manual errors.
  3. Build Strong Relationships: Maintain good rapport with clients and carriers for repeat business and referrals.
  4. Invest in Education: Pursue certifications and training programs to qualify for higher-paying positions.
  5. Improve Customer Service: Focus on delivering exceptional service to build a strong reputation and customer loyalty.

Currently 128 Freight Forwarder job openings, nationwide.

How's the job market for a Freight Forwarder in the US?

Learn what a Freight Forwarder does, how to become one, and understand the job outlook. Get simple steps to start your career as a Freight Forwarder today.
Position
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Freight Forwarder
128 Job Openings