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In Louisiana, moving goods from our many ports to the rest of the country is the backbone of our economy.
Getting items from a ship to a store or home is an incredibly complicated process that involves thousands of different jobs.
Freight brokers are an important part of this system; they ensure that manufacturers can find a carrier to transport their goods.
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Freight Broker Duties in Louisiana
Freight brokers are the link between the suppliers of goods and the carriers that transport those goods.
When a factory produces items for sale, a freight broker finds a carrier who is able to accept and transport the materials to a store or home.
In other words, freight brokers are the go-betweens for factories and shipping companies.
Licensing Requirements to Become a Freight Broker in Louisiana
The state of Louisiana does not require any type of license in order to become a freight broker.
However, all freight brokers throughout the country are required to have a Broker Authority License.
This license comes from a division of the federal government; the U.S Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration will issue this license.
To get this license, applicants must register with the U.S Department of Transport and obtain a Department of Transportation Number and a Motor Carrier Number.
After an applicant has registered and received these numbers, he or she can start the process of applying for their broker license.
In order to obtain a Broker Authority License, the FMCSA will require four things.
The first is adequate insurance for cargo and general liability.
These policies are issued by commercial insurance groups, and the term “adequate” can take on different meanings depending on the amount and type of cargo being moved.
Second, freight brokers are required to carry a $75,000 surety bond.
Third, a broker must have a freight agent in each state that he or she intends to conduct business in.
This includes all states that cargo is being moved through.
Finally, a potential freight broker must provide a $300 non-refundable deposit.
Expect the application process to take about four to six weeks from the time all paperwork has been submitted to the time the federal Broker Authority License is issued.
Once the license is received, however, the broker can start work immediately.
Freight Broker Programs in Louisiana
There is no requirement for a state license in Louisiana, but there are training programs that can help potential freight brokers gain the skills necessary to get started in this field or help those who are already employed in it to sharpen their skills.
The University of West Florida, Gulf Coast State College, Northwest Florida State College, and the University of South Alabama Center for Continuing Education and Conference Services all offer courses that are designed to enhance the services and knowledge base of freight brokers.
Freight Broker Salary in Louisiana
Freight brokers in Louisiana will typically make between $30,000 and $34,000 a year.
This is slightly less than the national average.
Freight brokers who own their own company, however, can earn much more.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| New Orleans | $52,181 |
| Baton Rouge | $49,045 |
| Shreveport | $48,496 |
| Lafayette | $48,463 |
| Lake Charles | $47,799 |
| Kenner | $52,153 |
| Bossier City | $48,496 |
| Monroe | $48,243 |
| Alexandria | $46,734 |
| New Iberia | $48,182 |
Regional Salary in Louisiana
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge, LA | 50 | $42,800 | $20.58 | $53,930 | $27,020 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | 340 | $48,450 | $23.29 | $62,760 | $38,140 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | 70 | $43,070 | $20.71 | $49,270 | $25,430 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is going through a training class worth the time and money?
Getting additional training if you are already working as a freight broker is a good way to distinguish yourself from other people in this career field.
If you are looking to move up or run your own agency, a training course is a really good idea.
Most of these classes do not take long to complete, and they can give freight brokers a glimpse of what the industry looks like from several different points of view that are separate from what they may be seeing in their current job.
Is there demand for freight brokers in Louisiana?
The port at the mouth of the Mississippi River brings in one of the highest amounts of cargo per day in the world.
Figuring out how to get those goods from the ships to stores is a monumental task that requires thousands of people.
In particular, the pressures of the global pandemic on the supply chain have made it necessary to rethink the traditional ways of moving these products.
As supply chains continue to change and evolve, freight brokers are expected to see a large increase in the amount of business that they receive.
How much will freight brokers in Louisiana make in the future?
As demand for freight brokers increases, the people who have the skillset and contacts necessary to succeed in this field will likely see an increase in their income.
It has been reported that the highest-paid freight broker in the state makes over $65000 a year, and many sole proprietors do not have an obligation to report their income.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Freight Broker
Freight Broker License by State