22 of the Highest Paying Freight Handler Jobs in 2026

The best Freight Handler jobs can pay up to $87,500 per year.

High Paying Freight Handler Jobs

• Truck Supervisor

  Salary range: $82,500 - $87,500

  The majority of Truck Supervisor salaries across the United States currently range between $82,500 (25th percentile) and $87,500 (75th percentile) annually. Most people working in this role make similar salaries regardless of skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Truck Supervisor job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• Loading Supervisor

  Salary range: $58,500 - $62,500

  The majority of Loading Supervisor salaries across the United States currently range between $58,500 (25th percentile) and $62,500 (75th percentile) annually. Most people working in this role make similar salaries regardless of skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Loading Supervisor job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• Freight Loader

  Salary range: $43,000 - $52,500

  The majority of Freight Loader salaries across the United States currently range between $43,000 (25th percentile) and $52,500 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Freight Loader job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• Warehouse Unloader

  Salary range: $36,000 - $50,000

  The majority of Warehouse Unloader salaries across the United States currently range between $36,000 (25th percentile) and $50,000 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Warehouse Unloader job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• Bulk Loader

  Salary range: $34,000 - $47,000

  The majority of Bulk Loader salaries across the United States currently range between $34,000 (25th percentile) and $47,000 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Bulk Loader job market in the United States is somewhat active, with a few companies hiring.

• Barge Loader

  Salary range: $43,000 - $46,000

  The majority of Barge Loader salaries across the United States currently range between $43,000 (25th percentile) and $46,000 (75th percentile) annually. Most people working in this role make similar salaries regardless of skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Barge Loader job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• Warehouse Loader

  Salary range: $37,500 - $44,500

  A warehouse loader moves stock from warehouse storage onto a truck, and vice versa. As a warehouse loader, your primary job duties consist of processing orders, loading and unloading cargo, and maintaining a clean shipping area. This career is very physical and requires excellent strength and stamina to load freight in a fast and efficient manner throughout the day. The most important qualifications are strong communication, time management, and organizational skills. You must be able to work as part of a team in a fast-paced environment. Most warehouse loaders need experience operating warehouse equipment. Your employer may prefer that you to have a forklift license, but you can earn this while employed.

• Cargo Agent

  Salary range: $34,000 - $43,000

  A cargo agent works in the freight industry, either in rail or air transportation. Your main duty is to inspect all cargo before it can be sent out for delivery. Your responsibilities also include reviewing documentation of all materials, ensuring that tariffs and codes have been paid or met, and providing assistance in adjusting, shipping, or finding missing cargo. You document all cargo that runs through your facility, and you enter information into spreadsheets or other shipping software so that it is easily traceable.

• Cargo Handler

  Salary range: $36,000 - $43,000

  The majority of Cargo Handler salaries across the United States currently range between $36,000 (25th percentile) and $43,000 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Cargo Handler job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• Rail Car Loader

  Salary range: $36,000 - $42,000

  As a rail car loader, you load and unload a train shipment using material moving equipment. Shipments can be chemical or bulk solids, like coal and grain, or commercial products. Responsibilities include the inspection of shipping tanks or railcars before, during, and after loading, cleaning as needed. You ensure loading operations run smoothly by utilizing adjustable loading ramps, securing vehicles using chocks, and managing bridge plates at railcar junctions, all while keeping safety standards in mind. Other duties include maintaining a record of all loading activities and ensuring products meet quality standards. Coordination with the maintenance crew is also required to complete routine maintenance and repairs quickly.

• Dock Loader

  Salary range: $31,000 - $41,000

  The majority of Dock Loader salaries across the United States currently range between $31,000 (25th percentile) and $41,000 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Dock Loader job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• Warehouse Freight Handler

  Salary range: $32,000 - $40,000

  The majority of Warehouse Freight Handler salaries across the United States currently range between $32,000 (25th percentile) and $40,000 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Warehouse Freight Handler job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• Freight Associate

  Salary range: $31,500 - $40,000

  The majority of Freight Associate salaries across the United States currently range between $31,500 (25th percentile) and $40,000 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Freight Associate job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• Freight Team Associate

  Salary range: $26,000 - $40,000

  The majority of Freight Team Associate salaries across the United States currently range between $26,000 (25th percentile) and $40,000 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Freight Team Associate job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• Truck Loader

  Salary range: $33,500 - $39,000

  A truck loader puts merchandise onto a pallet to prepare it for transport. You use hand trucks, pallet jacks, and other equipment to sort and move packages. You can also be a container truck loader, which involves loading bulk or liquid material into a truck. Your main responsibilities are to verify the contents of a shipment from a warehouse, scan the cargo, and update your inventory count. You may also be in charge of unloading a truck, which means you receive packages from the shipping vendor, confirm the contents of the shipment, and prepare to sort them into proper storage locations.

• Loader

  Salary range: $32,000 - $39,000

  A loader uses hand machinery or heavy equipment to move cargo between transportation vessels and storage warehouses while observing all loading and unloading safety practices. As a loader, your responsibilities include verifying the times that shipments both arrive and depart, as well as entering the relevant information from documents into a computer system. For example, you examine the bill of lading to determine that all the contents of the shipment are present and create detailed inventory lists. Other duties include packaging, labeling, and sending outgoing shipments.

• Truck Unloader

  Salary range: $30,000 - $38,000

  A truck unloader unloads and moves product in a distribution center, warehouse, or other industrial facility and ensures appropriate management of all shipping items. As a laborer, you often use a pallet jack or forklift to both load and unload freight from trucks, handle heavy product loads, and you must remain aware of all incoming and outgoing shipments, that they are handled appropriately, and on-time. Other duties include checking work orders and comparing them to shipments received to ensure there are no discrepancies, alerting your manager of anything unusual. You take all products off each truck, check and handle them with care, transport most to storage areas, stacking them correctly. You also help other employees find the products they need to ship and add proper labeling to outgoing packages such as shipping addresses or expiry dates. Additional responsibilities include maintaining a database and updating all relevant paperwork throughout the day.

• Lumper

  Salary range: $31,500 - $36,000

  The duties of a lumper include unloading a truck when it arrives at the warehouse dock. Occasionally in this job, you assist drivers in unloading, or you may work with a team of warehouse personnel to complete the process more quickly. Educational qualifications usually include a high school degree or the equivalent. Ability to drive a vehicle such as a forklift could be useful in furthering your career. Warehouse experience may also help you earn employment as a lumper. However, the primary qualification is physical skill and endurance. You must be able to lift heavy loads manually.

• Unloader

  Salary range: $30,000 - $36,000

  As an unloader, your primary responsibilities involve unloading freight from a truck or other cargo vehicle safely. In addition to unloading, your duties may include taking steps to load a container with goods. Depending on your employer and the type of cargo you handle, you may work to unload freight manually or with the aid of equipment such as a hand truck or forklift. You may also have to work under time constraints, which requires moving quickly to load or unload freight to stay on schedule.

• Loader Unloader

  Salary range: $30,000 - $36,000

  The majority of Loader Unloader salaries across the United States currently range between $30,000 (25th percentile) and $36,000 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Loader Unloader job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• Unload Associate

  Salary range: $30,500 - $31,500

  The majority of Unload Associate salaries across the United States currently range between $30,500 (25th percentile) and $31,500 (75th percentile) annually. Most people working in this role make similar salaries regardless of skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Unload Associate job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• Cargo Traffic Agent

  Salary range: $30,000 - $30,000

  The majority of Cargo Traffic Agent salaries across the United States currently range between $30,000 (25th percentile) and $30,000 (75th percentile) annually. Most people working in this role make similar salaries regardless of skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Cargo Traffic Agent job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.