Also called: Cargo Superintendent, Riding Cargo Supervisor
Sails aboard heavy-lift and project-cargo ships to supervise how huge, odd-shaped cargo is loaded, lashed and unloaded.
A supercargo might ride a ship carrying wind-turbine blades, locomotives or a refinery tower. In port they plan the lift with the crane crew, check every chain and weld, and sign off before the ship sails. At sea they walk the deck checking lashings after rough weather.
Often a day rate plus travel; pay depends on the cargo company.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Usually a maritime academy graduate or former ship officer with cargo experience.
Ways in: 4-year college, On-the-job training. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Marine Transportation, Maritime Logistics.
Growing about average. Steady demand from wind energy and industrial project shipping.
Low risk for 10 years. Software models lift loads and lashing forces, but a person must inspect the chains, welds and cargo on deck.
Classes: Physics, Geometry, Shop class.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.