Top Freight Forwarding Employers in Los Angeles
17 Aug, 2026
Chicago is the leading inland freight hub in North America, and one of the most important logistics markets in the United States.
According to the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, roughly a quarter of all US freight rail traffic passes through metropolitan Chicago, which serves as the main interchange point between the western and eastern rail networks. Chicago is the only place on the continent where six of the seven Class I railroads converge. The region is also home to the CenterPoint Intermodal Center in Will County, described by the county's Center for Economic Development as the largest inland port in North America, while O'Hare International Airport handled around 2.07 million metric tonnes of air cargo in 2024 and ranks among the busiest cargo airports on the continent.
Unlike a coastal port city, Chicago is where freight from every direction is sorted, transferred and distributed. For freight forwarding and logistics professionals, that means high demand across intermodal, air freight, customs brokerage and supply chain roles, at every level.
What Chicago Offers for Freight Forwarding Careers
Chicago supports career progression from entry-level operator, warehouse and customs roles through to senior forwarding, sales and operations positions.
Because the city sits at the crossroads of rail, road and air, forwarders based in Chicago gain experience across the full multimodal picture, from ocean containers arriving inland by rail from the West Coast, to time-critical air freight moving through O'Hare. The region's enormous industrial base, around 1.1 billion square feet of freight and manufacturing space according to the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, means employers range from global forwarding networks to specialist brokers and fast-growing third-party logistics providers.
Top Freight Forwarding Employers in Chicago
Chicago hosts a deep pool of global and specialist freight forwarders. Some of the most active employers hiring in the region include:
- C.H. Robinson: freight brokerage, truckload and global forwarding jobs
- DSV (Global Transport and Logistics): air, sea, road and contract logistics jobs
- AIT Worldwide Logistics: freight forwarding and supply chain jobs
- DHL Global Forwarding: air and ocean freight forwarding jobs
- Expeditors: air and ocean freight forwarding and customs brokerage jobs
- Kuehne + Nagel: air freight, sea freight and contract logistics jobs
- CEVA Logistics: freight forwarding, contract logistics and 3PL jobs
- RIM Logistics: freight forwarding and NVOCC jobs
- Yusen Logistics: air and ocean freight, warehousing and supply chain jobs
- SEKO Logistics: freight forwarding, e-commerce and last-mile jobs
Not sure which employer or location is the right fit for your experience? We can match your background to the right companies, districts and shift patterns. Talk to a freight recruiter now.
Key Areas for Logistics Jobs in Chicago
Freight forwarding and logistics roles cluster in a few distinct areas across Chicagoland, depending on the mode and the type of freight.
- O'Hare, Bensenville and Elk Grove Village: the centre of air freight forwarding and customs activity, close to O'Hare's cargo facilities. Elk Grove Village is one of the largest industrial parks in the country.
- Joliet, Elwood and the I-80 corridor (Will County): the heart of intermodal, home to the CenterPoint Intermodal Center and major rail terminals, and a magnet for warehousing, drayage and distribution roles.
- Bedford Park and the southwest suburbs: established intermodal and distribution territory close to major rail yards.
- Romeoville and the wider I-55 corridor: a fast-growing fulfilment and contract logistics cluster.
Key Infrastructure
Chicago's freight network is fully intermodal, moving goods seamlessly across rail, road and air.
- Rail: Chicago is the only location in North America where six of the seven Class I railroads converge, and roughly a quarter of all US freight rail passes through the metro area, according to the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning.
- CenterPoint Intermodal Center (Joliet and Elwood): described by the Will County Center for Economic Development as the largest inland port in North America, anchoring the region's intermodal capacity.
- O'Hare International Airport (ORD): one of North America's busiest air cargo airports, handling around 2.07 million metric tonnes of cargo in 2024, with major hubs for integrators such as FedEx, UPS and DHL.
- Interstate network: the intersection of I-55, I-57, I-80, I-90 and I-94 puts a large share of the US population within a day's drive.
- Inland waterways: the Port of Chicago links the Great Lakes to the St Lawrence Seaway, while the Illinois Waterway connects to the Mississippi River system.
Freight Types Handled in Chicago
As the country's central distribution point, Chicago handles a broad mix of freight, including:
- Intermodal containers: ocean freight railed inland from the West and East Coast ports for onward distribution.
- Industrial and manufacturing components: a major flow of parts and machinery through the region's manufacturing base.
- Pharmaceuticals and healthcare: time-sensitive, temperature-controlled shipments moving through O'Hare air cargo.
- E-commerce and consumer goods: high volumes of fulfilment freight across the Joliet and I-55 corridors.
- Automotive and heavy freight: leveraging Joliet's rail connections for heavier movements.
In-Demand Freight Forwarding and Logistics Jobs in Chicago
These roles are consistently sought after across the Chicago market, though they are not the only ones:
- Air Freight Import / Export Specialist jobs
- Ocean Freight Import / Export Coordinator jobs
- Customs Brokerage Specialist jobs
- Intermodal and Drayage Coordinator jobs
- Freight Forwarding Operations jobs
- Logistics and Operations Manager jobs
- Freight Sales / Business Development jobs
- Supply Chain and Transportation Planner jobs
- Warehouse and Distribution jobs
View all logistics and freight forwarding roles in Chicago here.
Why Do Forwarders Choose Chicago?
Strategic location and infrastructure. Chicago sits at the heart of the US freight network, where rail, road and air converge, making it the natural distribution point for the entire country.
North America's premier inland hub. The unrivalled rail density and intermodal capacity create constant demand for forwarding, brokerage and logistics talent.
High demand for talent. Continued growth in e-commerce, intermodal and air freight keeps hiring active across the region.
Career growth and stability. Logistics offers clear progression pathways, ongoing development and skills that are recognised across the industry worldwide.
An international working environment. Chicago's role as a global freight interchange gives professionals exposure to international trade lanes and networks.
Your Next Freight Forwarding Role in Chicago Starts Here
Whether you are aiming for a step up, better hours, or a fresh start with a new employer in the freight hub of America, Freight Appointments can help. We work with leading forwarders across Chicago and can connect you with freight forwarding and logistics opportunities that match your experience and goals.
