by 
The freight brokerage enterprise continues to expand with the multinational market volume predicted to surpass $41.4 billion in a couple of years.
This opens up vast opportunities for you who desire to delve into the Ohio freight industry.
You can work with a freight broker or start your own.
An established freight brokerage firm requires some extra processes.
Here is how to become a freight broker in Ohio.
Article Table of Contents
Freight Broker Duties in Ohio
This includes checking for proper authority, insurance needs, track record, and experience.
A freight broker is a middleman between a shipper and a carrier (trucking firm).
A freight broker will supply the commercial truck capabilities every shipper requires to get their merchandise out the gate and to its delivery.
A skilled freight broker recognizes the value of good carriers.
Integrity and dependability are important priorities.
Brokers frequently use independent contractors to develop a database of transporters, making their process more efficient.
When a transport company calls a freight broker, the broker uses this information to discover accessible carriers to convey loads.
Freight brokers must properly interact with all concerned parties and be insured in case something goes wrong with the cargo before it arrives at its destination.
Ohio Freight Broker Licensing Requirements
After familiarizing yourself with the industry and creating a business plan, you are ready to apply for a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) freight broker license.
This includes obtaining a USDOT number and broker authority.
Get a USDOT Number
All freight brokers must register with the USDOT (Unified Registration System). A USDOT number is free.
Acquire Your Broker Authority
Anyone who transports goods for pay or assistance must have a broker or operating authority from the FMCSA.
Your broker license permits you to lawfully do business.
Now that you have your USDOT number, you should register for your broker authority online with the FMCSA.
The broker authority comes with a $300 one-time cost.
To receive your $75,000 freight broker license, you will either want a freight broker bond (BMC-84) or a trust fund (BMC-85).
Companies must also register with Unified Carrier Registration, an alliance among states that effectively control costs paid by truckers, freight brokers, and other logistics experts.
Ohio Freight Broker Programs
Get some training in the freight sector as your initial step.
Formal training, courses, and self-study are all options.
While no formal training is required, a mix of practical learning experience and formal study will get you up to full speed.
Get Freight Broker on-the-job Training
Other jobs in the sector might train you as a freight broker.
In this way, you will get familiar with the intricacies of the industry.
Additionally, you will have many perspectives as you work with merchants and carriers to transport goods locally and internationally.
Some examples include:
- Trucker – you will get first-hand knowledge of the pros and cons that truckers face daily. In that way, you will be able to make smarter decisions when assigning certain loads, knowing what types of transportation and drivers best suit that cargo.
- Dispatcher – A dispatcher for a shipping logistics firm is as close as you will get to being a freight broker and will help develop your management and people skills.
A Freight Broker Course
An organized training program can help you develop your talents.
Each program listed below is meant to teach you the trade in a curriculum-based context.
- Load Training: online and in-person courses (out of state). A database of truck availability will be created for students to reply to carrier and shipper questions.
- Brooke Transportation Training Solutions offers both in-person and online courses. Both new and seasoned freight brokers might benefit from training. On-campus job placement aid is available to all students, and qualified veterans can take courses for free.
- Freight Movers School: Georgia and Texas locations. Online training in brokerage basics and advanced strategies are also accessible.
Certifications for Ohio Freight Brokers
While not required, accreditation may be advantageous for individuals seeking to represent themselves as trained and certified freight brokers.
The Transportation Intermediaries Association offers a Certified Transportation Brokers test.
Ohio Freight Broker Salary
Freight Broker salaries in Columbus, OH vary from $44,978 to $59,744.
Knowledge, credentials, additional training, and years in the field can all influence salary ranges.
Salary.com provides more digital, real-time income statistics than any other site.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Columbus | $52,036 |
| Cleveland | $52,210 |
| Cincinnati | $51,582 |
| Toledo | $51,054 |
| Akron | $50,643 |
| Dayton | $51,276 |
| Arlington | $49,498 |
| Youngstown | $50,100 |
| Canton | $50,573 |
| Lorain | $51,360 |
Regional Salary in Ohio
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akron, OH | 230 | $45,180 | $21.72 | $59,260 | $36,440 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | 140 | $51,540 | $24.78 | $63,700 | $46,120 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | 1,850 | $49,210 | $23.66 | $69,110 | $39,970 |
| Cleveland-Elyria, OH | 670 | $49,960 | $24.02 | $64,600 | $37,670 |
| Columbus, OH | 700 | $50,010 | $24.04 | $64,070 | $38,480 |
| Dayton, OH | 90 | $49,950 | $24.01 | $74,300 | $34,830 |
| Toledo, OH | 110 | $50,280 | $24.17 | $62,660 | $38,150 |
| Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, OH-PA | 70 | $41,970 | $20.18 | $61,010 | $25,210 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does becoming a freight broker take?
If you follow these broad guidelines, you can start your freight brokerage in six to twelve months.
The actual duration will depend on how much time and resources you can devote to your brokerage.
How much does becoming a freight broker cost?
Freight broker charges vary depending on business equipment, insurance, software, and marketing.
Starting and running a brokerage firm is quite cheap.
Why become a freight broker?
Because freight brokers act as liaisons between shippers and carriers, they must be qualified and licensed.
Do you need freight broker certification?
Freight brokering, like many other occupations, demands substantial industry knowledge to succeed.
Get familiar with the method, and you will be better able to handle the daily grind and any unexpected obstacles.
Is there a demand for freight brokers in Ohio?
As the Ohio freight industry evolves, so does the need for freight brokers.
Establishing or managing a freight brokerage operation seems to have a promising job future based on statistics.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Freight Broker
Freight Broker License by State
I have a question I heard brokering cattle loads you didn’t have to have broker lic is that true ?