Freight Forwarders Salary by State
The national median pay for freight forwarders is $52,260 a year. By state, it ranges from $42,400 in Hawaii to $76,250 in District of Columbia. These figures are for the broader BLS group “Cargo and Freight Agents”.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $38,340
- 25th percentile
- $45,710
- Median
- $52,260
- 75th percentile
- $63,390
- Top 10%
- $79,810
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job (broader BLS group “Cargo and Freight Agents”). About 97,670 jobs.
Median pay in 47 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $76,250 | +46% | $53,490 | $84,700 | 60 |
| 2 | New Hampshire | $67,660 | +29% | $41,190 | $85,140 | 80 |
| 3 | South Dakota | $64,340 | +23% | $49,730 | $80,160 | 200 |
| 4 | Nebraska | $62,500 | +20% | $40,630 | $82,200 | 390 |
| 5 | Washington | $60,760 | +16% | $48,330 | $82,290 | 2,410 |
| 6 | Rhode Island | $60,310 | +15% | $39,530 | $91,650 | 140 |
| 7 | New Jersey | $60,210 | +15% | $47,630 | $77,750 | 4,280 |
| 8 | New York | $60,040 | +15% | $40,590 | $82,820 | 5,760 |
| 9 | Illinois | $59,750 | +14% | $40,030 | $80,580 | 6,110 |
| 10 | Montana | $59,240 | +13% | $39,380 | $80,270 | 370 |
| 11 | Massachusetts | $58,680 | +12% | $49,240 | $75,860 | 820 |
| 12 | Minnesota | $58,650 | +12% | $46,790 | $74,480 | 1,380 |
| 13 | California | $57,690 | +10% | $38,430 | $83,060 | 17,060 |
| 14 | Wisconsin | $57,290 | +10% | $40,010 | $74,160 | 1,280 |
| 15 | South Carolina | $57,000 | +9% | $46,220 | $77,530 | 1,540 |
| 16 | Alabama | $54,890 | +5% | $40,040 | $83,510 | 1,020 |
| 17 | North Dakota | $54,230 | +4% | $38,530 | $98,960 | 380 |
| 18 | Utah | $52,770 | +1% | $37,370 | $92,670 | 590 |
| 19 | Alaska | $52,070 | 0% | $43,740 | $80,170 | 580 |
| 20 | Tennessee | $51,800 | −1% | $36,720 | $85,560 | 3,390 |
| 21 | Colorado | $51,390 | −2% | $43,940 | $72,760 | 850 |
| 22 | Georgia | $51,380 | −2% | $31,440 | $75,880 | 3,630 |
| 23 | Missouri | $50,840 | −3% | $33,660 | $81,770 | 1,410 |
| 24 | Arkansas | $50,500 | −3% | $31,350 | $67,460 | Not published |
| 25 | Maine | $50,340 | −4% | $45,520 | $67,100 | 190 |
| 26 | Indiana | $50,020 | −4% | $37,710 | $85,130 | 1,200 |
| 27 | Oklahoma | $49,940 | −4% | $31,200 | $80,620 | 300 |
| 28 | Mississippi | $49,920 | −4% | $35,360 | $70,530 | 260 |
| 29 | Arizona | $49,880 | −5% | $36,950 | $70,010 | 1,840 |
| 30 | Virginia | $49,680 | −5% | $40,190 | $75,010 | 1,280 |
| 31 | Pennsylvania | $49,590 | −5% | $36,900 | $81,970 | 2,810 |
| 32 | Ohio | $49,530 | −5% | $39,200 | $80,680 | 2,840 |
| 33 | Oregon | $49,420 | −5% | $43,730 | $74,560 | 1,290 |
| 34 | West Virginia | $49,100 | −6% | $36,920 | $75,650 | 130 |
| 35 | Louisiana | $48,940 | −6% | $27,230 | $73,360 | 840 |
| 36 | New Mexico | $48,910 | −6% | $38,190 | $81,180 | 110 |
| 37 | Maryland | $48,730 | −7% | $35,230 | $70,580 | 740 |
| 38 | Florida | $48,520 | −7% | $37,990 | $75,610 | 8,110 |
| 39 | Texas | $48,470 | −7% | $35,480 | $73,120 | 7,610 |
| 40 | Iowa | $48,370 | −7% | $38,610 | $75,300 | 660 |
| 41 | North Carolina | $48,000 | −8% | $35,990 | $68,410 | 2,520 |
| 42 | Michigan | $47,940 | −8% | $38,950 | $71,950 | 2,150 |
| 43 | Vermont | $47,560 | −9% | $42,160 | $61,320 | 80 |
| 44 | Nevada | $47,000 | −10% | $38,360 | $70,960 | 490 |
| 45 | Kentucky | $46,230 | −12% | $39,280 | $75,320 | 2,570 |
| 46 | Idaho | $45,710 | −13% | $39,830 | $71,170 | 300 |
| 47 | Kansas | $42,500 | −19% | $26,050 | $60,480 | 890 |
| 48 | Hawaii | $42,400 | −19% | $34,540 | $68,380 | 1,760 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates for the broader group “Cargo and Freight Agents”. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Freight Forwarders salary questions
Which state pays freight forwarders the most?
District of Columbia, with a median of $76,250 a year (+46% vs. the national median of $52,260). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays freight forwarders the least?
Hawaii, with a median of $42,400 a year (−19% vs. national).
Where do most freight forwarders work?
California has the most jobs, about 17,060, with a median of $57,690.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.