How to Become a Freight Broker in Hawai’i
Freight rokerage is an excellent career for motivated, organized individuals who enjoy working with people. In Hawai’i, becoming a freight broker means being part of a growing industry. These licensed professionals are responsible for arranging transportation of goods between locations, using local, national and international motor carriers. Unlike freight agents, who work as middlemen between brokers and clients, a freight broker works directly with carriers to ensure that their clients’ needs are met in the best way possible.
Requirements or Becoming a Freight Broker in Hawai’i
A high school iploma or completion of equivalent education is necessary to become a freight broker. There is no specific post-secondary training required, although completing a training program is recommended and certainly an asset. These programs vary in length: some are single-day, online courses, while others are full-year trainings offered through colleges and universities. Exams administered by the Transportation Intermediaries Association are given for Certified Transportation Broker (CTB) applicants. This is a voluntary but valuable certification.
CTB courses ffer more in-depth education and a competitive advantage.
Freight roker Classes and Educational Programs
There are no n-site classes for freight brokers offered in Hawai’i, but numerous online courses are available. These include:
- Freight Brokers Course. Freight Brokers Course offers four levels of online training, with their 10-week Basic course currently costing $149.00. Their Deluxe course, which costs $799.00, offers support and resources above and beyond the basic training.
- Brooke Transportation School, through Ed2Go. These self-paced freight broker and freight agent courses are offered through Texas-based Brooke Transportation School. Students are given six months to complete 180 hours of self-study, with support from experienced industry professionals. Their course currently costs $1,895.00.
- Freight Movers School. Freight Movers School offers basic online training for freight new brokers. Tuition for the 60-day course is $900.00 at this time. This program uses recorded webinars to engage students, as well as more traditional methods of home study.
Licensing or Freight Brokers in Hawai’i
All freight rokers are required to be licensed with the US Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. This application requires that brokers pay a licensing fee and hold a $75,000 surety bond. No continuing education is required to maintain licensure, but freight broker licenses must be renewed yearly, and each broker must obtain both cargo and liability insurance.
Career utlook and Salary Expectations
The freight transportation industry in Hawaii is experiencing growth, reflecting the broader trend in the retail sector, especially with the rise of online businesses. The outlook for careers in freight brokerage in Hawaii remains positive.
As of the latest data, cargo and freight agents in the United States earn an average salary of $46,860 per year. In Hawaii, these professionals earn an average salary of $35,850 annually, which is below the national average but still indicative of a healthy job market in the state. The following HTML tables provide a detailed comparison of salaries at different percentiles both nationally and in Hawaii, as well as in specific regions within Hawaii.
National vs. Hawaii Salaries:
| Percentile | United States Salary | Hawaii Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | $32,720 | $28,240 |
| 25% | $38,400 | $30,940 |
| Median (50%) | $46,860 | $35,850 |
| 75% | $58,710 | $51,410 |
| 90% | $70,280 | $66,180 |
Salaries by Region in Hawaii:
| Location | 10% | 25% | Median (50%) | 75% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Honolulu, HI | $26,680 | $29,960 | $35,660 | $51,990 | $79,820 |
Freight Broker Trends in Hawai’i
The employment trends for Cargo and Freight Agents in Hawaii (43-5011.00) indicate a substantial growth trajectory for the decade from 2020 to 2030. In 2020, Hawaii had 1,100 employees working in this occupation. This number is projected to increase to 1,400 employees by 2030, representing a significant growth rate of 27%. Additionally, there are expected to be around 150 job openings annually over this period, which includes openings due to both growth and replacement. This trend suggests a robust job market for cargo and freight agents in Hawaii, significantly outpacing the national average growth rate.
In comparison, the national trend for the same period shows a growth rate of 10%, which is considered much faster than average. In 2022, there were 95,900 employees in this occupation across the United States, with projections indicating an increase to 105,200 employees by 2032. Nationally, there are expected to be about 11,000 job openings annually over this period.
Employment Trends
| Location | Employment (2020) | Projected Employment (2030) | Projected Growth (2020-2030) | Projected Annual Job Openings (2020-2030) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | 1,100 employees | 1,400 employees | 27% | 150 |
| United States | 95,900 employees (2022) | 105,200 employees (2032) | 10% (Much faster than average) | 11,000 |
Sources of Data:
Hawai’i Data: The employment figures and projections for Hawai’i are sourced from Projections Central, specifically their 2020-2030 long-term projections. Projections Central is known for providing detailed and state-specific employment projections, offering valuable insights into various occupational trends.
United States Data: The national employment figures and projections are obtained from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), specifically their 2022-2032 employment projections.
Working as Freight Broker in Hawai’i
It is mportant to have certain standards when looking for a position with an existing brokerage. Make sure that the company you apply to meets all the national registration requirements, know how the pay rate stacks up against other companies with similar positions and find out how the company treats their current employees. Alternatively, entrepreneurs may have good success starting their own business.
With the reight brokerage field having a projected employment increase of 10.4 percent nationally, there will be new graduates from broker training programs looking for positions. Take the courses now and get established before the competition.