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Freight Inspector Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

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Freight Inspector information

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How much do freight inspector jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for freight inspector in Illinois is $8.39, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $8.37 and $8.37 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How to become a freight inspector?

To become a freight inspector, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent and gain experience in logistics, transportation, or warehousing. Certification programs in freight inspection or related fields can enhance job prospects, and strong attention to detail and knowledge of safety standards are essential for the role.

How do you become a freight inspector?

To become a freight inspector, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent and may pursue relevant certifications such as the Certified Freight Inspector credential. Gaining experience in logistics, transportation, or quality control, along with knowledge of safety standards and inspection tools, is also beneficial. Some positions require passing a background check and may involve on-the-job training.

What are some common challenges freight inspectors face when ensuring compliance with shipping regulations?

Freight Inspectors often encounter challenges such as accurately identifying damaged or improperly labeled cargo, keeping up with frequently changing shipping regulations, and managing high volumes of shipments within tight timeframes. They must pay close attention to detail while working in fast-paced, sometimes noisy environments, and coordinate with warehouse staff, truck drivers, and compliance officers to resolve discrepancies quickly. Staying organized and effectively communicating with different teams are crucial skills for overcoming these challenges and ensuring safe, compliant freight operations.

What does a freight inspector do?

As a freight inspector, your duties are to inspect shipments to ensure that they are packed and secured correctly and loaded in the proper container. You also make sure that contents are in compliance with all freight regulations. You review cargo manifests and file reports after a shipment ua complete, inspect them when they arrive at a shipping location, such as a port, rail yard or freight depot, and advise shipping crews whenever freight is not stored correctly so that they avoid accidents. Your responsibilities differ slightly if you are dealing with ships, trucks, or trains.

What is the difference between Freight Inspector vs Cargo Auditor?

AspectFreight InspectorCargo Auditor
CertificationsOften requires freight inspection certifications or relevant safety trainingMay require auditing or logistics certifications
Work EnvironmentInspects shipments at warehouses, ports, or transportation hubsReviews shipping records and verifies cargo accuracy, often in office or warehouse settings
Employer & IndustryLogistics, transportation, freight companiesShipping companies, freight forwarders, logistics firms

While both roles involve freight and cargo, Freight Inspectors focus on physically examining shipments for damages, compliance, and safety, whereas Cargo Auditors verify shipping records and ensure cargo accuracy. Both positions are essential in the logistics chain but serve different functions related to freight management.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a freight inspector, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Freight Inspector, you need strong attention to detail, knowledge of shipping and receiving procedures, and familiarity with safety regulations, usually supported by a high school diploma or equivalent. Proficiency in using inspection tools, warehouse management systems, and sometimes handheld scanners is typically required. Effective communication, problem-solving abilities, and reliability are valuable soft skills that help manage discrepancies and coordinate with logistics teams. These skills are crucial to ensure accurate freight handling, compliance with regulations, and smooth supply chain operations.

What is a freight inspector?

Freight Inspectors are professionals responsible for examining, measuring, and documenting cargo shipments to ensure they comply with regulations and company standards. They check for damage, verify quantities, and make sure the freight matches shipping documentation. Freight Inspectors play a crucial role in preventing losses due to damaged or misrouted goods and help maintain safety and compliance in transportation. Their work is essential for the efficient and secure movement of freight across supply chains.
What are the most commonly searched types of Freight Inspector jobs in Illinois? The most popular types of Freight Inspector jobs in Illinois are:
What are popular job titles related to Freight Inspector jobs in Illinois? For Freight Inspector jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities in Illinois are hiring for Freight Inspector jobs? Cities in Illinois with the most Freight Inspector job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Freight Inspector jobs in IL? For Freight Inspector jobs in IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Freight Inspector job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 92% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $17,442 per year, or $8.4 per hour.

Freight Train Conductor - Bedford Park, IL

Paducah & Louisville Railway

Chicago, IL โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Posted 24 days ago


Job description

Salary: $38.19 Hour

Midway Southern Railway, Inc. (part of P&L Transportation, Inc.) is looking for Freight Train Conductors in Bedford Park, IL.


The conductor is responsible for the safe and efficient administration of the train operations and handling of customer freight in accordance with FRA, AAR, and Company rules, policies and regulations. All necessary safety procedures, guidelines and policies must be adhered to in the performance of the tasks assigned to this position as set forth below.


Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Understand and adhere to operating rules, safety rules, policies, procedures and regulations and ensure train crews compliance with all train orders, signals, rules and regulations and for safe train operations.
  • Perform railcar switching by combining or separating cars to make up or break up trains by switching tracks, coupling and uncoupling cars, and routing inbound and outbound traffic while directing engineer to move cars to fit planned train configurations.
  • Receive and comprehend instructions, bulletins, work orders, and switch lists from dispatchers and Trainmaster, and discuss with locomotive engineer and train crew to ensure all understand the immediate job task.
  • Complete paperwork of car movements and keep records of the contents and destination of each train car to ensure cars are added/removed at proper points on route in accordance with customers instructions and for proper billing.
  • Observe, understand, and act upon the indications of color light signals and signs.
  • Communicate with engineer, dispatcher, and other workers using telecommunications equipment/radios and hand signals.
  • Inspect the condition of trains and equipment including making repairs such as changing knuckles and air brake hoses.


Job Requirements - Context and Environment:

  • Work safely to prevent on the job accidents and injuries.
  • SAFETY SENSITIVE POSITION Extreme consequence of error to worker and public.
  • Exposure to hazardous equipment.
  • Vision, color, and hearing acuity as specified in FRA regulations.
  • Governed by a collective bargaining agreement with membership required which determines specific job duties, work assignments, and work locations.
  • Regular and timely attendance at work.
  • Work hours are irregular and will vary in length and schedule. Work hours will include a nonstandard workweek, overtime, and shiftwork including nights and weekends usually exceeding 40 hours per week.
  • Required to report to work safely on as close to two-hour notice as possible. Will include nights and weekends.
  • Requires a valid drivers license.
  • >95% travel required.
  • Wearing Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
  • Frequent lifting work up to 50 pounds and 85 pounds occasionally.
  • Walking long distances over uneven terrain and on elevated surfaces and slopes.
  • Ascends and descends steps and ladders to get on and off equipment.
  • Working under Time Pressure to meet strict deadlines.
  • Working outdoors (Exposed to all Weather conditions). Exposed to heat and cold including extreme heat and cold, both natural and man-made and with equipment that intensifies the heat factor. They are required to work in a variety of weather conditions at all times of the day or night
  • Exposed to Sounds and elevated Noise Levels (Are Distracting or Uncomfortable


Education/Training/Certification:High school diploma or general education degree (GED).