Items are shipped and delivered in several ways. Whether someone is buying a classic truck, party goods or dried food items, the arrival of a purchased item is often dependent on freight brokers who coordinate the details of the shipping process. In this article, we discuss the career of a freight broker in the transportation industry and outline which states pay the highest annual salary, as well as address the most frequently asked questions about this type of profession.
How much do freight brokers make?
The national average salary for a freight broker in the United States is $62,105 per year, with an average additional compensation of $28,000 per year for commissions. Many factors influence the salary of a freight broker, especially location. Those employed in larger cities typically earn more than those employed in rural areas. Freight brokers with a good reputation and years of experience can also earn more than novice brokers.
Job outlook
Freight brokers play an instrumental role in the shipping industry. They ensure that a variety of goods move across the U.S. from one location to another, without complication. Demand for freight brokers continues to increase as the industry evolves. Starting a freight brokerage business or maintaining a current one appears to have a positive job outlook for this career.
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Freight broker salaries by state
Some states pay better than others when it comes to a career in freight brokerage. Here are the average freight broker salaries by state, according to Indeed and the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
- Alabama: $51,330 per year
- Alaska: $39,620 per year
- Arizona: $43,420 per year
- Arkansas: $71,220 per year
- California: $45,830 per year
- Colorado: $47,350 per year
- Connecticut: N/A
- Delaware: $42,790 per year
- Florida: $62,515 per year
- Georgia: $63,896 per year
- Hawaii: $39,920 per year
- Idaho: $49,710 per year
- Illinois: $66,448 per year
- Indiana: $43,210 per year
- Iowa: $60,744 per year
- Kansas: $75,686 per year
- Kentucky: $42,390 per year
- Louisiana: $42,950 per year
- Maine: $49,190 per year
- Maryland: $42,820 per year
- Massachusetts: $44,840 per year
- Michigan: $45,460 per year
- Minnesota: $50,120 per year
- Mississippi: $43,340 per year
- Missouri: $47,000 per year
- Montana: $46,230 per year
- Nebraska: $52,610 per year
- Nevada: $41,400 per year
- New Hampshire: $50,220 per year
- New Jersey: $56,470 per year
- New Mexico: $49,740 per year
- New York: $45,310 per year
- North Carolina: $45,060 per year
- North Dakota: $41,100 per year
- Ohio: $62,268 per year
- Oklahoma: $46,040 per year
- Oregon: $53,400 per year
- Pennsylvania: $46,150 per year
- Rhode Island: N/A
- South Carolina: $44,170 per year
- South Dakota: $52,230 per year
- Tennessee: $43,530 per year
- Texas: $61,921 per year
- Utah: $65,250 per year
- Vermont: $38,040 per year
- Virginia: $48,660 per year
- Washington: $54,600 per year
- West Virginia: $37,750 per year
- Wisconsin: $39,710 per year
- Wyoming: $44,340 per year
How to earn more as a freight broker
Several factors can help increase a freight broker's income. Because location heavily influences salary, freight brokers may want to move to an area that pays better on average. As shown above, freight brokers in Kansas make nearly $15,000 more per year on average than those who work in Iowa. Commission-based services also provide additional income as well. Freight brokers looking to increase their salary may also consider a career as a freight broker agent or try operating their own freight broker company.
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Related jobs
There are many related roles to freight brokerage that may interest someone seeking a career in the transportation industry. Here are a few examples of job listings currently available on Indeed: