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Freight Inspector Jobs in Kentucky (NOW HIRING)

Southeastern Freight Lines

$85.10/hr

Prepare, sweep, inspect and cleans trailer(s) before loading freight. Use safe lifting techniques to properly load and unload freight. Select and use proper freight handling equipment to load and ...

Mercer Transportation

Truck Inspector

Louisville, KY · On-site

$20/hr

We're seeking a Truck Inspector (Quality Assurance Technician) to help ensure the commercial ... You'll be part of a collaborative team that supports the independent contractors who keep freight ...

Mercer Transportation

Truck Inspector

Louisville, KY · On-site

$20/hr

We're seeking a Truck Inspector (Quality Assurance Technician) to help ensure the commercial ... You'll be part of a collaborative team that supports the independent contractors who keep freight ...

White Pass & Yukon Route

$60 - $80/hr

Carmen perform inspections and repairs on passenger and freight cars. Carmen inspect rolling stock for defective conditions in accordance with Federal Railroad Administration and Transport Canada ...

CSX

Freight Conductor - Louisville, KY

Louisville, KY · On-site

$2.9K/wk

Freight Conductor A Freight Conductor's primary responsibility is to safely coordinate train crews ... Inspect all equipment on cars prior to departures * Receive and transmit information by radio and ...

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Freight Inspector information

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How much do freight inspector jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for freight inspector in Kentucky is $7.52, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $7.50 and $7.50 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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 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 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.

How to become a freight inspector?

To become a freight inspector, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent and should gain knowledge of freight handling, safety standards, and inspection procedures. Some positions require certification or training in cargo inspection or transportation safety, and experience with tools like inspection equipment can be beneficial.
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Freight Inspector jobs near you
Infographic showing various Freight Inspector job openings in Kentucky as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 51% Full Time, and 49% Contract. Highlights an 89% In-person, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $15,633 per year, or $7.5 per hour.

FT Inbound Freight Handler

Independence, KY

Southeastern Freight Lines
Transportation and Warehousing • 5 - 10K employees
Learn more about Southeastern Freight Linesexternal

$28.65 - $33.40/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 22 days ago

Southeastern Freight Lines rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 45 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

2nd of 64 rated delivery companies

Job description

As a FT Inbound Freight Handler, you will load and unload freight onto and off of equipment, as well as assist in the recouping of damaged freight.

Prepare, sweep, inspect and cleans trailer(s) before loading freight. Use safe lifting techniques to properly load and unload freight. Select and use proper freight handling equipment to load and unload freight. Such equipment may include forklifts with appropriate hardware, hand trucks, drum trucks, pallet jacks, rollers, and any other available equipment to move, load, arrange, rearrange, and unload freight. Weigh and dimension shipments to ensure proper classification, freight rating, and safe handling. Plan cube utilization and proper weight distribution when loading freight. Count and inspect the condition of freight, documenting any shortages or damage. Review freight bills for special instructions. Check manifests for existing exceptions and check the label and the destination code on manifests against freight bills. Check for special instructions, weight distributions on headloads, and check headloads against the freight bills when loading freight. Verify the hazardous material product description, determine any discrepancies in the paperwork, and verify proper placarding when loading hazardous material. Properly block and brace freight to prevent shifting during transport. 

For this role, we prefer you have a High School Diploma or GED. You must have the ability to satisfactorily pass a background check and an alcohol and drug test. We would prefer for you to have prior experience as a Forklift Operator, Dock or Warehouse Worker, or Material Handler. We would also prefer you to have previously held a Forklift Certification. Pay: $28.65-$33.40 Per Hour Job Type: Full-Time 

Work Shift

Third Shift

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZc1A8aeshc

What Southeastern Freight Lines employees say

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Hours and flexibility

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About Southeastern Freight Lines

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Southeastern Freight Lines is a freight transportation company based in Lexington, SC, US. The company operates in the trucking and transportation industry, specializing in customized solutions for regional less-than-truckload (LTL) transportation services. Founded in 1950 by W.T. Cassels, Southeastern Freight Lines initially served a number of states in the southeastern United States. Through the years, the company has significantly expanded, now providing comprehensive transportation solutions all over the continent. Adhering to their mission of meeting or exceeding the needs of every customer – every single time, the company takes pride in consistently delivering top-tier service. Notable achievements include groundbreaking customer service technologies and winning multiple quality awards in their industry.

Industry

Transportation and warehousing

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Lexington, SC, US

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