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Cargo and Freight Agents

Office & Administrative Supporthighaugment
BLS 2024-34: +5%
Median Wage: $46,520
Employment: 89K

Overall Exposure

58+14

2025 vs 2023

Theoretical Exposure

76

What AI could do

Observed Exposure

36

What AI actually does

Automation Risk Score

50

Displacement risk

3-Year Outlook (2025 → 2028)

Projected changes in AI automation metrics over the next 3 years based on estimated data.

Overall Exposure

58→73
+15

2025 → 2028 (estimated)

Theoretical Exposure

76→88
+12

2025 → 2028 (estimated)

Observed Exposure

36→54
+18

2025 → 2028 (estimated)

Automation Risk

50→64
+14

2025 → 2028 (estimated)

Exposure Metrics (2023 - 2028)

Detailed Metrics Table

YearOverallTheoreticalObservedRiskData Type
202344642238actual
202451702944actual
202558763650actual
202664814355estimated
202769854960estimated
202873885464estimated

Task Breakdown

Prepare and process shipping documentation and bills of lading
75%β 1
Track and trace shipments using logistics software
80%β 1
Calculate freight charges and negotiate rates with carriers
60%β 0.5
Coordinate customs clearance and regulatory compliance
45%β 0.5
Resolve shipment discrepancies and customer complaints
35%β 0.5

About This Occupation

If you work as a Cargo and Freight Agent, AI is significantly augmenting your role. With an automation risk of 50/100 and overall exposure at 58%, this occupation faces high transformation. Shipment tracking is 80% automated and documentation processing reaches 75%. BLS projects +5% growth through 2034. Professionals who leverage AI-powered logistics platforms for routing optimization and documentation will thrive, while customs coordination remains human-intensive.

Frequently Asked Questions

With an automation risk score of 50%, Cargo and Freight Agents faces a moderate level of AI-driven change. Some tasks can be automated, but many require human judgment, creativity, or interpersonal skills that AI cannot yet replicate. The role is more likely to evolve alongside AI than be replaced.

The AI automation risk score for Cargo and Freight Agents is 50% (2025 data). Overall AI exposure is 58%, with 76% theoretical exposure and 36% observed exposure. The risk trend from 2023 to 2025 is +12 points.

The tasks with the highest automation potential for Cargo and Freight Agents are: Track and trace shipments using logistics software (80%), Prepare and process shipping documentation and bills of lading (75%), Calculate freight charges and negotiate rates with carriers (60%). These rates reflect how much of each task current AI systems can handle, based on research data from Anthropic and academic sources.

The BLS projects +5% employment change for Cargo and Freight Agents from 2024 to 2034. Combined with an overall AI exposure of 58%, this occupation is experiencing both traditional labor market shifts and AI-driven transformation. Workers should monitor both employment trends and AI capability growth.

Since AI primarily augments capabilities in this role, professionals in Cargo and Freight Agents should embrace AI as a productivity multiplier. Focus on learning to use AI tools effectively, developing higher-order analytical and creative skills, and positioning yourself as someone who can leverage AI to deliver greater value.