California Median
$57,690
per year
Hourly Rate
$27.74
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+10% vs US median
US median $52,260
State Rank
#13 of 48
17,060 employed here
How much do Cargo and Freight Agents make in California?
Cargo and Freight Agents in California take home a median of $57,690 annually — roughly $27.74 an hour — which runs 10% above the national median of $52,260.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $38,430 while the top 10% make $83,060 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $47,270 and $73,730 a year.
Cargo and Freight Agents salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,430 | $18.48 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $47,270 | $22.73 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $57,690 | $27.74 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $73,730 | $35.45 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $83,060 | $39.93 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 13th out of 48 states and territories for Cargo and Freight Agents pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Cargo and Freight Agents salary in other states
District of Columbia $76,250New Hampshire $67,660South Dakota $64,340Nebraska $62,500Washington $60,760Rhode Island $60,310New Jersey $60,210New York $60,040Illinois $59,750Montana $59,240Massachusetts $58,680Minnesota $58,650Wisconsin $57,290South Carolina $57,000Alabama $54,890North Dakota $54,230Utah $52,770Alaska $52,070Tennessee $51,800Colorado $51,390Georgia $51,380Missouri $50,840Arkansas $50,500Maine $50,340Indiana $50,020Oklahoma $49,940Mississippi $49,920Arizona $49,880Virginia $49,680Pennsylvania $49,590Ohio $49,530Oregon $49,420West Virginia $49,100Louisiana $48,940New Mexico $48,910Maryland $48,730Florida $48,520Texas $48,470Iowa $48,370North Carolina $48,000Michigan $47,940Vermont $47,560Nevada $47,000Kentucky $46,230Idaho $45,710Kansas $42,500Hawaii $42,400
Working as Cargo and Freight Agents in California
Nationally, about 98,000 people work as Cargo and Freight Agents in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($57,690) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Cargo and Freight Agents make in California?
The median Cargo and Freight Agents salary in California is $57,690 per year, or about $27.74 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $38,430 at the entry level to $83,060 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Cargo and Freight Agents about 10% more than the national median of $52,260. California ranks 13th out of 48 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Cargo and Freight Agents?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $57,690 a year. About 17,060 Cargo and Freight Agents are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Cargo and Freight Agents salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.