Cargo and Freight Agents Salary in Des Moines, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Median annual salary $42,980 -13.9% vs national
Median hourly $20.67
10th percentile $42,980
90th percentile $63,790
Employed locally 440
National median $49,900

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Cargo and Freight Agents
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Des Moines, IA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $42,980
    25th
    $42,980
    50th (median)
    $42,980
    75th
    $53,350
    90th
    $63,790

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Cargo and Freight Agents salary vs area income 51% Median Cargo and Freight Agents salary is 49% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Cargo and Freight Agents

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Northeastern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $74,990
    East South Dakota nonmetropolitan area $68,400
    South Dakota $68,400
    Sioux Falls, SD-MN $67,820
    Vallejo, CA $66,350
    Trenton-Princeton, NJ $63,430

    Nearby metros — Cargo and Freight Agents salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Peoria, IL $58,540
    Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL $56,360
    California $56,100
    Omaha, NE-IA $55,730
    Georgia $55,710
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $55,280

    Related occupations in Des Moines, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Customer Service Representatives $48,240
    Office Clerks, General $44,350
    Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks $49,500
    First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers $67,540
    Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive $46,440
    Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants $40,450

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Cargo and Freight Agents make per hour in Des Moines?

    The median hourly wage for Cargo and Freight Agents in Des Moines, IA is $20.67, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $31.76 or more per hour.

    Is Des Moines above or below average for Cargo and Freight Agents salaries?

    The median Cargo and Freight Agents salary in Des Moines, IA is 13.9% below the national median of $49,900. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Cargo and Freight Agents in Des Moines?

    Entry-level Cargo and Freight Agents (10th percentile) earn around $42,980 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $42,980.