Employment of cargo and freight agents is projected to grow 29 percent from 2010 to 2020, much faster than the average for all occupations.
As the economy grows, the volume of cargo traffic will also increase. More cargo and freight agents will be needed to coordinate and manage these additional shipments, which increasingly involve multiple modes of transportation. In particular, the growing popularity of online shopping is likely to result in more goods being shipped across the country from central shipment centers and warehouses.
Large numbers of companies have begun outsourcing their shipping and logistics work to third-party firms, many of which employ large numbers of cargo and freight agents. This trend will likely increase demand for agents, resulting in further employment growth.
Job prospects should be best for those with strong computer and customer-service skills. Some employers report difficulty finding workers who have these abilities.
Although job opportunities are expected to be good, employment of cargo and freight agents is sensitive to fluctuations in the economy. Workers may experience higher levels of unemployment when the overall level of economic activity falls.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition