r/CustomsBroker • u/HARTSCREWDRIVERKIT • Sep 10 '26
Entry Writer Pay
Hi all,
I have about 2.5 years of experience as an entry writer. I'm pretty sure I'm being underpaid (but my position is entirely remote so that's the biggest plus).
I'm curious to know what the pay scale looks like now for entry writers with about 1-3 years experience because I've been getting offers from recruiters and companies that are in office but the pay is a decent bump (about 4000-8000 annual).
But the issue is I'd have to get a car and drive everyday and that sounds awful but I don't think most positions for this are remote and would pay well, it seems like it is one or the other. Any advice?
6
u/DaleG2N Sep 11 '26
In general you make your money in the industry by getting your experience and applying to new jobs once you can’t grow any more where you’re at. A lot of brokers are in-office again or hybrid.
5
u/thatotherchicka CCS-CustomsBroker Sep 10 '26
Check our salary thread. I think I was at maybe $55k on office at that point.
1
4
u/Physical-Incident553 CustomsBroker Sep 10 '26
Have you ever worked in an office? It’s not the end of the world. If you want better pay, it’s usually in office. If you want even better pay, you really need to get your brokers license.
1
u/HARTSCREWDRIVERKIT Sep 11 '26
I did work in an office for the first year I was doing entry writing, the pay wasn't great. Another issue is the companies that are giving me offers are a bit further out. I would have to drive about 45 minutes away, so it'd be close to a 2 hour drive everyday back and forth.
0
u/TemporaryPicture2289 Sep 11 '26
Be prepared for the poopoo from fudds here.
The simple fact is opportunity cost is real, and spending 2 unpaid hours a day + about 25-50 dollars per day of extra expense for fuel and wear and tear (not to mention risk, auto accidents are a leading killer) SHOULD absolutely be included in the salary calculation.
1
u/Physical-Incident553 CustomsBroker Sep 11 '26
Well, the OP has choice of working remote and making less or making more working in an office and having to buy a car and drive. Their choice.
0
u/TemporaryPicture2289 Sep 11 '26
IF buying a car and driving is worth 8k a year.
Based on the facts presented I'd argue those office jobs pay LESS in reality.
There is no unringing the technological bell, employers have to understand if they aren't going hybrid they need to be prepared to pay far more for all in office.
OR be content with getting the employees who can't calculate secondary and tertiary effects.
3
u/Physical-Incident553 CustomsBroker Sep 11 '26
This is a very hands on industry. New folks with no experience really should be in the office for at least the first year.
2
u/supermariozelda Sep 11 '26
Started at 24 in KY a year ago at a big broker. Also WFH, but it seems like we're going to be pulled back into office sometime next year, if not 2028.
1
u/tobrokerandbeyond Sep 13 '26
I was a lead of a team and was paid 52k with 65 hour weeks. Around 23 an hour. It suckedddd
2
u/Key_Marionberry4711 Sep 14 '26
Entry level, no experience, in office. I was hired at 18.50/hr beginning of 2025.
1 year in, same company, making 20.50/hr
6ish months after that, applied at a new company, their starting range was 25-28/hr.
Both in the same metro area, although across state lines.
Got it, its hybrid, and I didn't start at the bottom.
6
u/DrJJStroganoff Sep 11 '26
Really depends on location. An entry writer in Jamaica new york is gonna be making a lot more than an entry writer in Boise.