Freight Forwarder Salary in 2026
How Much Do Freight Forwarders Make?
Freight Forwarders earn a median annual salary of $49,900 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $37,240 at the 10th percentile to $76,350 at the 90th percentile — a range of $39,110. The highest-paying state is South Dakota at $68,400.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $37,240 |
| 25th percentile | $43,490 |
| Median (50th) | $49,900 |
| 75th percentile | $62,230 |
| 90th percentile | $76,350 |
Freight Forwarder Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| South Dakotatop | $68,400 |
| New Jersey | $62,860 |
| Montana | $60,660 |
| Massachusetts | $59,700 |
| Nebraska | $58,160 |
| Wisconsin | $57,490 |
| New York | $57,230 |
| California | $56,100 |
| Georgia | $55,710 |
| Utah | $55,220 |
| Washington | $55,140 |
| Idaho | $53,240 |
| Alabama | $53,100 |
| Indiana | $52,040 |
| Rhode Island | $51,990 |
| New Hampshire | $51,590 |
| Colorado | $51,430 |
| South Carolina | $51,420 |
| Minnesota | $51,370 |
| Virginia | $50,560 |
| Vermont | $50,530 |
| Mississippi | $49,950 |
| Arkansas | $49,210 |
| Alaska | $49,030 |
| Kansas | $49,020 |
| Florida | $48,850 |
| Louisiana | $48,800 |
| Maine | $48,780 |
| Nevada | $48,630 |
| Illinois | $48,420 |
| Oregon | $48,290 |
| North Dakota | $48,010 |
| Tennessee | $47,950 |
| Ohio | $47,900 |
| Michigan | $47,750 |
| Maryland | $47,460 |
| North Carolina | $46,880 |
| Texas | $46,580 |
| Iowa | $46,120 |
| Pennsylvania | $46,080 |
| Oklahoma | $45,620 |
| Kentucky | $45,100 |
| New Mexico | $44,770 |
| Arizona | $42,640 |
| Hawaii | $39,720 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Freight Forwarders
Freight Forwarder Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$37,240 – $43,490 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$49,900 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$62,230 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $76,350+ |
How to Earn More as a Freight Forwarder
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Freight Forwarders in South Dakota earn $68,400 — $18,500 above the national median. Union membership, additional certifications, and supervisory experience are the most reliable paths to higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($62,230) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Freight Forwarder Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Freight Forwarderthis career | $49,900 |
| Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Manager | $102,010 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents, Farm Product | N/A |
| Purchasing Agent | N/A |
| Customs Broker | $78,420 |
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SOC: 43-5011.01 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.