International Freight Forwarder Salary in the United States

How much does an International Freight Forwarder make in the United States?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for an International Freight Forwarder in the United States is $47,923 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $23.

However, an International Freight Forwarder's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $56,871
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $43,688 to $52,607
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $39,832
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View as table View as graph 25% $43,688 10% $39,832 90% $56,871 75% $52,607 $47,923 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

International Freight Forwarder Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $52,607 $4,384 $1,012 $25
Average $47,923 $3,994 $922 $23
25th Percentile $43,688 $3,641 $840 $21

Key Factors That Influence International Freight Forwarder Salaries

An International Freight Forwarder's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects International Freight Forwarder Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an International Freight Forwarder's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $41,345
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $48,805
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $60,424
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $67,878
  • Expert (over 8 years): $87,591
Levels Salary
Parts Coo... Level International Freight Forwarder$41,345
Internati... Level International Freight Forwarder$48,805
Parts Coo... Level International Freight Forwarder$60,424
Parts Coo... Level International Freight Forwarder$67,878
Parts Man... Level International Freight Forwarder$87,591
$41,345 0 yr
$48,805 < 2 yrs
$60,424 2-4 yrs
$67,878 5-8 yrs
$87,591 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for International Freight Forwarders

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $60,445
  • San Francisco: $59,783
  • Oakland: $58,523

What Skills Can Increase an International Freight Forwarder's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 12.4% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Automotive Services (Mentioned in 2.79% Job Postings): Repairing and maintaining vehicles to ensure better performance, longer vehicle life, and fuel efficiency.
  • Packaging (Mentioned in 2.33% Job Postings): Preparing products through wrapping or bottling to protect the goods from damages during transportation and storage.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 12.4%
Automotive Services 2.79%
Packaging 2.33%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an International Freight Forwarder's salary.
  • Microsoft Exchange: Can increase your salary by up to 48%.
  • Presentation: Can increase your salary by up to 23%.
  • Market Research: Can increase your salary by up to 21%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Microsoft Exchange
$70,926
48%
Presentation
$58,945
23%
Market Research
$57,987
21%
Sense Of Urgency
$54,153
13%
Troubleshooting
$54,153
13%
Collaboration
$51,757
8%
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International Freight Forwarder Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For International Freight Forwarder roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 25% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Healthcare sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 10% above the average. In contrast, International Freight Forwarder positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Construction typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view International Freight Forwarder as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an International Freight Forwarder

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$52,715$25.010%
Healthcare$52,715$25.010%
Pharmaceuticals$51,757$25.08%
Chemicals$50,319$24.05%
Insurance$50,319$24.05%

International Freight Forwarder Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an International Freight Forwarder's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on July 01, 2026

Salary Trends for International Freight Forwarder

Salaries for an International Freight Forwarder can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $42,185 in 2023 to around $41,800 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of International Freight Forwarder salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of International Freight Forwarder Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$42,185
2024
$42,089
2025
$41,800
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $42,185
2024 $42,089
2025 $41,800
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for International Freight Forwarder

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for International Freight Forwarder

Here are companies hiring for International Freight Forwarder and their salaries, click below for more details.

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Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current International Freight Forwarder job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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FAQ about International Freight Forwarder

1. What industry pays the highest salary for International Freight Forwarder?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for International Freight Forwarder roles, with salaries approximately 10% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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