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If you already have transportation industry experience, your next logical step may include becoming a freight broker.
The 10-year outlook for this position as of 2021 totals at least a 2 percent job growth, but it could rate as high as 30 percent for related careers.
Article Table of Contents
Freight Broker Duties in Nebraska
Freight brokers connect shippers with carriers and handle sending freight between United States locations.
They also track shipping movements and may have these responsibilities:
- Shipping cost negotiation – They seek out the most economic ways to ship items in the shortest amount of time for the least amount of money without compromising security and safety.
- Sales lead attraction – Commission opportunities present themselves as an incentive for finding new shipping clients.
- Safe freight service scouting – For the betterment of both shippers and carriers, freight brokers strive to provide safe and secure shipping options. Priorities include theft, loss, and damage prevention, which benefits retail customers, as well as wholesale suppliers.
- Generating shipping estimates – It is necessary for people employed in any logistic management field to know how to make accurate cost assessments.
- Scheduling orders – This will prevent unnecessary delays, and people managing shipments must know how to prepare for unexpected circumstances, such as accidents or traffic congestion.
- Carrier preparation – Anyone employed as a freight broker or related logistics occupation must know how to make carriers ready for deliveries.
- Operations oversight – Watching over logistics operations includes encouraging dispatchers, shippers, and carriers to work together. It also involves updating customers on shipping statuses and answering all questions they might have.
Licensing Requirements to Become a Freight Broker
The Department of Transportation requires Nebraska freight brokers to register with the Federal Carrier Safety Administration Department.
This includes a $300 processing fee and requires proof of insurance coverage for property and merchandise, and the approval process takes 4-6 weeks to complete.
Upon approval, you must wait 10 days before you make your brokerage services available to customers.
The broker licensing process also involves securing a Process Agent, but the FMCSA allows brokers to represent themselves.
Recommended training can also assist freight brokers to secure desired positions once they complete their courses.
Nebraska Freight Broker Programs
The state of Nebraska does not require you to secure formal training to become a freight broker.
However, the training you do receive will prepare you for the complexities of the logistics business.
You can complete in-person or online courses, which you can complete in 30-45 days.
However, you may want to enroll in advanced programs to prepare you for detailed shipment and inventory control.
Recommended educational tracks may include training in business, accounting, or marketing and supply chain management, for example.
You could obtain certificates in as little time as six months or maybe attend a two- or four-year college and obtain an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.
However, the minimum educational requirement is just that you need to have a high school diploma or equivalent.
It also helps to have transportation job experience, such as having worked as a truck driver.
Recommended Schools
Some places where you might receive customized logistics or supply chain management training include Western Nebraska Community College and Nebraska Business Development Center.
A typical learning course includes the Freight Broker certification program, which you can complete in as little time as you want within six months.
Salary
The cliché of “the more you learn, the more you earn” does apply here.
The starting salary ranges from about $31,441-$35,517 as of 2021.
However, you can seek continuing education and increase your earnings as you gain more experience and take on additional responsibilities.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Omaha | $49,870 |
| Lincoln | $49,629 |
| Bellevue | $49,870 |
| Grand Island | $48,944 |
| Kearney | $48,944 |
| Fremont | $49,127 |
| Hastings | $48,944 |
| North Platte | $47,454 |
| Norfolk | $44,419 |
| Columbus | $48,944 |
Regional Salary in Nebraska
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln, NE | 60 | $59,850 | $28.77 | $81,280 | $36,890 |
| Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA | 410 | $56,790 | $27.3 | $73,840 | $39,600 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get freight broker customers?
You can start with asking your friends and family to investigate the shipping processes at their workplaces.
Your instructors may also clue you in on how to land clients during class.
Making note of companies while on the road and asking your current customers to refer you also helps.
Securing clients takes patience, but you can do it!
Do I need a license if employed by another company?
No, you do not need a license if you decide to work for a company as a direct hire.
In fact, many freight brokers start this way to gain experience.
This also would help you build your resume when you do start your own business.
How do I fund my brokerage business?
You might need a small business loan, or you could save money for it.
If you are brokering part-time, you could also work another job to help you fund your operation until you achieve your minimum revenue requirements.
How do I gain freight broker experience?
That depends on you, and every situation is unique.
Perhaps you already work as a dispatcher, or you currently drive a truck or pack boxes.
If so, you might move up within the company you are at before you venture out on your own as an independent freight broker.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Freight Broker
Freight Broker License by State