Freight sales and air cargo jobs top pay in new salary analysis

New Freight Appointments data shows freight forwarding employers are paying the most for sales executives, air freight specialists and export operators as competition for specialized talent intensifies. The five-year analysis also points to steady salary growth across operations and sales, with 2026 expected to stay firm in air freight and other high-complexity logistics roles.

Why it matters: - Freight forwarding firms are paying premiums for roles that blend revenue generation, operational execution and customer management. - The salary spread shows where employers value specialized expertise most as supply chains get more complex. - The findings also signal that experience with trade lanes, systems and commercial responsibility can materially lift pay.

What happened: - Freight Appointments analyzed U.S. placement data from 2020 to 2025 and identified the highest-paid freight forwarding disciplines. - Freight forwarding sales executives and business development managers earned an average salary of $103,947. - Operations specialists earned an average salary of $65,850. - Air freight operations specialists earned $69,500 on average. - Ocean freight operations specialists earned $63,200 on average. - Export operations specialists earned $67,900 on average. - Import operations specialists earned $62,800 on average.

The details: - Average operations salaries rose from $57,389 in 2020 to $68,513 in 2025, a 19% increase. - Average sales salaries rose from $88,061 in 2020 to $103,947 in 2025, an 18% increase. - Air freight salaries climbed from $61,200 in 2020 to $74,900 in 2025. - Ocean freight salaries increased from $54,800 to $63,500 over the same period. - Export roles paid about 8% more than import roles. - Lewis Bunn, co-founder and director, said sales professionals with a track record of generating revenue from new logos and long-term client relationships remain highly sought after. - Lewis Bunn said air freight specialists earn more because of the complexity, urgency and customer expectations tied to air cargo operations. - Freight Appointments said the most sought-after candidates have specialist trade lane expertise, multimodal freight experience, strong customer relationship management, freight technology and systems knowledge, and commercial awareness alongside operational expertise. - The company also said CargoWise exposure is a standout skill for many forwarders. - Employers are also weighing long-term career development, leadership opportunities, workplace flexibility and organizational stability alongside pay.

Between the lines: - The pay gap suggests freight forwarding rewards roles closest to revenue, service disruption and time-sensitive execution. - Export functions appear to command more value because they often span customer service, operations and commercial work. - The salary data also suggests generalist profiles may face more pressure than candidates with narrow, high-demand expertise. - Lewis Bunn said candidates with specialist trade lane knowledge, strong customer relationships, multimodal experience and freight technology expertise attract stronger compensation packages than generalists.

What's next: - Freight Appointments expects salary growth to remain steady in 2026, especially in air freight, freight sales, project logistics, aerospace, pharmaceuticals and time-critical logistics. - The company expects employers to keep investing in talent that combines technical expertise, commercial awareness and leadership capability. - Executive hiring is likely to stay active as freight and logistics companies expand internationally, invest in technology and respond to shifting customer demands.

The bottom line: - In freight forwarding, the biggest paychecks are going to professionals who can either drive revenue or keep complex cargo moving without delay.