Customs Brokers
Prepare customs documentation and ensure that shipments meet all applicable laws to facilitate the import and export of goods. Determine and track duties and taxes payable and process payments on behalf of client. Sign documents under a power of attorney. Represent clients in meetings with customs officials and apply for duty refunds and tariff reclassifications. Coordinate transportation and storage of imported goods.
Also called: Air Export Agent, Air Export Operations Agent, Air Import Agent, Broker, Cargo Agent, Cargo Broker
Median pay
$80,730
Pay for the broader BLS group “Compliance Officers”
Pay range (10th–90th)
$48,220 – $133,720
People employed
417,070
Whole BLS group
Holland code
CER
Conventional · Enterprising · Realistic
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you work well under tight deadlines?
- 2.Are you comfortable sitting at a desk most of the day?
- 3.Are you OK repeating the same tasks most of the day?
- 4.Do you enjoy serving customers or the public?
- 5.Do you want a job with little physical risk?
- 6.Do you want the same hours every week?
- 7.Do you prefer working indoors?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
Customs Brokers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025, for the broader group “Compliance Officers”.
What customs brokers do
- 01Pay, or arrange for payment of, taxes and duties on shipments.
- 02Classify goods according to tariff coding system.
- 03Clear goods through customs and to their destinations for clients.
- 04Prepare and process import and export documentation according to customs regulations, laws, or procedures.
- 05Stay abreast of changes in import or export laws or regulations by reading current literature, attending meetings or conferences, or conferring with colleagues.
- 06Calculate duty and tariff payments owed on shipments.
Skills that matter most
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- Law and Government
- Administrative
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Transportation
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Cautiousness
Education and first steps
O*NET has no education survey data for this job.
How people get started
- Usually needs vocational training or an associate degree (O*NET Job Zone 3).
- Related work experience: over 2 years, up to and including 4 years.
- On-the-job training: over 6 months, up to and including 1 year.
- A professional certification is often expected.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from customs brokers
- Brokerage Clerks91% · —
- Freight Forwarders87% · group pay
- Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers85% · —
- Procurement Clerks85% · —
- Loan Interviewers and Clerks81% · —
Change into customs brokers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Freight Forwarders85% · $52,260
- Brokerage Clerks81% · $65,750
- Loan Interviewers and Clerks81% · $50,020
- Customs and Border Protection Officers80% · $76,210
- Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents80% · $62,370
Majors that lead here
- Environmental Studies
- Environmental Science
- Environmental/Natural Resources Law Enforcement and Protective Services
- Energy and Environmental Policy
- Environmental Geosciences
- Suspension and Debarment Investigation
- Medical Staff Services Technology/Technician
- Regulatory Science/Affairs
- Patient Safety and Healthcare Quality
- Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General
- Labor and Industrial Relations
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.