Illinois Median
$59,750
per year
Hourly Rate
$28.73
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+14% vs US median
US median $52,260
State Rank
#9 of 48
6,110 employed here
How much do Cargo and Freight Agents make in Illinois?
Cargo and Freight Agents in Illinois take home a median of $59,750 annually — roughly $28.73 an hour — which runs 14% above the national median of $52,260.
Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $40,030 while the top 10% make $80,580 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $48,840 and $62,480 a year.
Cargo and Freight Agents salary range in Illinois
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,030 | $19.25 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $48,840 | $23.48 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $59,750 | $28.73 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $62,480 | $30.04 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,580 | $38.74 |
|
How Illinois compares
Illinois ranks 9th 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 $60,040Montana $59,240Massachusetts $58,680Minnesota $58,650California $57,690Wisconsin $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 Illinois
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 Illinois pay ($59,750) 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 Illinois?
The median Cargo and Freight Agents salary in Illinois is $59,750 per year, or about $28.73 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $40,030 at the entry level to $80,580 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Cargo and Freight Agents about 14% more than the national median of $52,260. Illinois ranks 9th out of 48 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Cargo and Freight Agents?
Yes on pay — Illinois pays above the national median for this occupation, at $59,750 a year. About 6,110 Cargo and Freight Agents are employed in Illinois. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), 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.