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Air Cargo Handler Salary in the United States

How much does an Air Cargo Handler make in the United States? As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Air Cargo Handler in the United States is $36,697 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $18.

However, an Air Cargo Handler's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $41,645
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $34,331 to $39,287
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $32,176
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Air Cargo Handler Job Openings in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Air Cargo Handler Salaries

An Air Cargo Handler's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Air Cargo Handler Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Air Cargo Handler's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $35,971
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $36,157
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $36,589
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $36,877
  • Expert (over 8 years): $36,949
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level Air Cargo Handler less than 1 year $35,971
Early Career Level Air Cargo Handler 1-2 years $36,157
Mid-Level Level Air Cargo Handler 2-4 years $36,589
Senior-Level Level Air Cargo Handler 5-8 years $36,877
Expert Level Air Cargo Handler over 8 years $36,949

How Do Air Cargo Handler Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Air Cargo Handlers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $40,631.
  • California: $40,477.
  • Massachusetts: $39,937.

Top Paying Cities for Air Cargo Handler

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $46,286
  • San Francisco: $45,779
  • Oakland: $44,814

Air Cargo Handler Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Air Cargo Handler roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 28% above the average. In contrast, Air Cargo Handler positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Air Cargo Handler as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Air Cargo Handler

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals $46,880 $23.0 28%
Energy & Utilities $45,045 $22.0 23%
Biotechnology $43,210 $21.0 18%
Financial Services $41,376 $20.0 13%
Software & Networking $41,376 $20.0 13%

How Education impacts an Air Cargo Handler's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Air Cargo Handler professionals enter the field with a high school degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Air Cargo Handler with a high school is between $33,924 and $35,972.

Air Cargo Handler Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Air Cargo Handler
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 3.7%
High School 67.3%
Associate's Degree 11.2%
Bachelor's Degree 16.8%
Master's Degree or MBA 0.9%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 0%
View as Graph

Air Cargo Handler Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Air Cargo Handler's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$34,331
Average $36,697/year
$39,287
$2,861
Average $3,058/month
$3,274
$660
Average $706/week
$756
$17
Average $18/hour
$19
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $39,287 $3,274 $756 $19
Average $36,697 $3,058 $706 $18
25th Percentile $34,331 $2,861 $660 $17

Most common benefits for Air Cargo Handler

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Air Cargo Handler

Here are companies hiring for Air Cargo Handler and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Air Cargo Handler Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Air Cargo Handler job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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FAQ about Air Cargo Handler

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Air Cargo Handler?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Air Cargo Handler roles, with salaries approximately 28% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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