Cargo and Freight Agents salary in South Dakota
Cargo and Freight Agents in South Dakota earn a median of $64,340 a year ($30.94 an hour), based on BLS data for 200 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,160 for the top 10%. That is 23% higher than the national median of $52,260. South Dakota ranks 3rd of 48 states for cargo and freight agents pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.43 cargo and freight agents per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.68). The average (mean) salary is $65,000, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cargo and freight agents in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,730 | $23.91 |
| 25th percentile | $60,390 | $29.03 |
| Median | $64,340 | $30.94 |
| 75th percentile | $68,830 | $33.09 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,160 | $38.54 |
| Average (mean) | $65,000 | $31.25 |
Half of cargo and freight agents earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,361.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,680.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,474.62 |
| Weekly | $1,237.31 |
| Hourly | $30.94 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Cargo and Freight Agents salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Rapid City, SD | $65,440 | 30 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $62,950 | 100 |
Highest-paying states for cargo and freight agents
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $76,250 |
| New Hampshire | $67,660 |
| South Dakota | $64,340 |
| Nebraska | $62,500 |
| Washington | $60,760 |
| Rhode Island | $60,310 |
| New Jersey | $60,210 |
| New York | $60,040 |
| Illinois | $59,750 |
| Montana | $59,240 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $43,680 | $21.00 |
| Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance | $43,920 | $21.12 |
| Postal Service Mail Carrier | $60,760 | $29.21 |
| Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks | $50,530 | $24.29 |
| Public Safety Telecommunicator | $47,900 | $23.03 |
| Postal Service Clerk | $58,470 | $28.11 |
| Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping | $44,430 | $21.36 |
| Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators | $61,570 | $29.60 |
| Couriers and Messengers | $31,650 | $15.22 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | $46,340 | $22.28 |
| Customer Service Representative | $40,650 | $19.54 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $41,700 | $20.05 |
| Receptionists and Information Clerks | $38,280 | $18.40 |
| Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks | $30,550 | $14.69 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 43-5011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cargo and freight agents make in South Dakota?
The median salary for cargo and freight agents in South Dakota is $64,340 a year, or $30.94 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,160 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cargo and freight agents make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of cargo and freight agents in South Dakota earn at least $80,160 a year. The top 25% earn $68,830 or more.
What is the starting pay for cargo and freight agents in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,730 a year, and a quarter of cargo and freight agents earn $60,390 or less.
How many cargo and freight agents work in South Dakota?
About 200 cargo and freight agents are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.