Are freight brokers in demand?
High Demand and Growth
According to Indeed.com, the average national salary for freight brokers is $62,105 plus about $28,000 in commission per year. The average starting salary is solid, too, at around $40,000, with unlimited opportunities for commission.
As more businesses emphasize supply chain efficiency to maintain smooth operations, demand for freight brokerage services is expected to remain strong.
Freight Brokerage Market size was valued at USD 51.7 billion in 2023 and is estimated to register a CAGR of 6% between 2024 and 2032. The rise of e-commerce has led to an increased demand for efficient and flexible freight solutions.
What does gross margin mean for freight brokerage? Gross margin numbers are often displayed as a percentage of net sales and for a freight brokerage, usually range from 10% - 20%. This means that for every $1 you pay your brokerage, they usually take away less than $. 15 in gross margin.
Becoming a freight broker is a relatively easy and low-cost way to start a business. Still, from there, you're facing a steep learning curve, a fiercely competitive industry, and tight margins—a perfect storm for two-thirds of new brokers who fail in their first year. But it's not all doom and gloom.
- Load Boards. This is one of the most common ways brokerages find loads. ...
- Referrals. ...
- Actively Seeking Out New Shippers. ...
- Cold Calls. ...
- Warm Calls. ...
- Online Tactics. ...
- Targeted Marketing Campaigns. ...
- Partner with BlueGrace.
Dry vans pay the least, flatbed loads pay higher, and refrigerated cargo pays the most. Each type of load required different driver skills and equipment. Developing the skills and capabilities to haul higher-paying loads is a long-term strategy to build a more profitable trucking company.
Yes, freight brokers can indeed make 7 figures – many have successfully grown 6, 7 and even 8 figure businesses.
Flat-bed loads are good-paying loads because they're usually heavier or larger cargo, and the driver often has to help secure and cover the load. Dangerous goods, such as fuel, chemicals, or other unstable cargo, are better-paying as well.
Will freight brokers be replaced?
While it's difficult to predict the future with certainty, it's unlikely that technology will render the traditional freight brokerage model completely obsolete in the next five years (or more).
Yes, being a freight broker is stressful.
This, combined with the significant amount of work it takes to organize and manage shipments, often results in freight brokerage being a stressful job. However, many people find this stress worth it for the money they earn and the freedom of being their own boss.
Freight agents have less liability in comparison to a freight broker. Freight agents need freight brokers to operate, whereas freight brokers can operate without freight agents. A freight broker will have a more consistent brand look and feel across its office(s) versus freight agents that operate under the broker.
Develop relationships with trusted carriers
Consider using an onboarding platform for carriers and utilize tools like Carrier 411 for vetting and monitoring of carriers. Trucker Tools has developed a trusted network for carriers, allowing the broker to rebook carriers in their network.
The fact is, the freight brokerage business is very fragmented with thousands of brokers and the majority of freight brokerage firms does less than $5 million per year in sales. It's important to note that while gross revenue is great, the key lies in running a profitable and sustainable business.
- Talk to Existing Customers. ...
- Know Your Competitors. ...
- Make Some Cold Calls. ...
- Warm Calling Tactics. ...
- Reach out to Former Customers. ...
- Look for Referrals. ...
- Create a Loyalty Program.
The average age of freight brokers is 40+ years years old, representing 54% of the freight broker population.
- Lack of control: When you use a freight broker, you're giving up some control over your shipping process. - Dependence on technology: Freight brokers typically rely heavily on technology, so if there are any problems with their systems, it can cause delays in your shipments.
The short answer is no. In the transportation world, brokers find loads for carriers. It's the trucking company that owns the trucks, while the shipper owns the freight that must be moved from point A to point B. Still, there's a lot more to explore when it comes to these transportation roles.
What is the best load board for brokers?
- DAT One.
- Direct Freight Services.
- 123 Loadboard.
- C.H. Robinson Navisphere Carrier.
- Trucker Path TruckLoads.
- DOFT Load Board & Truck Loads.
- Truckstop.com.
- TruckSmarter.
Data from throughout 2020 has shown us that freight brokers are averaging around 15% overall with each load yielding around $270 in profit. I tend to find most successful brokers average somewhere between 12-18% in margin.
Heavy hauls almost always pay higher than standard loads because of the added work involved. If you have capacity to take on larger loads, consider taking them every now and then to boost revenue. You should also explore other higher paying loads, such as hazmat freight or oversized loads.
- Private Fleet Drivers. Private fleet drivers are truck drivers employed directly by companies to handle their internal transport needs, especially in large retail corporations. ...
- Hazmat Haulers. ...
- Refrigerated Goods Drivers. ...
- Car Haulers. ...
- Owner Operators. ...
- Team Driving Jobs. ...
- Long-Haul Trucking Opportunities.
- Refrigerated Trucking. Refrigerated trucking, also known as “reefer” trucking, is the backbone of perishable goods transportation and logistics. ...
- Flatbed Trucking. ...
- Specialized Freight Transportation. ...
- Intermodal Trucking. ...
- Regional and Local Trucking. ...
- Conclusion.
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