How to Become a Freight Broker in Mississippi

To work as a freight broker, you will need to serve as the middleman between shipping companies and carriers, as your responsibility will be to make compatible connections between the two. To do your job well, you may need to perform background checks and other research so that you can ensure carriers are qualified and reliable. Keeping an open line of communication with both parties throughout the shipping process will also be a necessary part of your job.

If this sounds like a lot of work, you may be pleased to know that freight brokers often employ freight agents as independent contractors. Freight agents will assist in making the proper connections between carriers and shippers, as well as completing other business functions.

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Requirements for Becoming a Freight Broker in Mississippi

There are currently no U.S. states that have regulations in place for freight brokers. Instead, freight brokers are held to national standards that must be met before practicing. These standards include a high school diploma or equivalent, as well as obtaining a government-issued Broker Authority license.

National law does not require freight brokers to earn certifications or complete post-secondary training programs. Although these options are not mandatory, they may be of significance if you want tools that you can leverage to find higher paying positions within the industry. Finding a mentor or completing an internship will also serve you well on your endeavor to succeed as a freight broker.

Mississippi Schools for Freight Brokers

Below are some freight broker training programs that may benefit those who are new to the industry as well as those who are more experienced.

  • Freight Broker Boot Camp allows students to learn the skills to become a freight broker in as little as 30 days. With a $98 payment, you will receive six months of full online access to financial strategies, workflow diagrams, training articles, negotiating methods and much more.
  • Brooke Training offers ree tuition for veterans who qualify. Each student is eligible to receive job placement assistance upon course completion. Basic and advanced training is available either in-person (in select states) or online.
  • Freight Movers School also offers courses both in-person and online. Areas of study include brokerage basics as well as improving sales. In-person training takes place in Texas and Georgia.

Certifications for Becoming a Freight Broker in Mississippi

To become a freight broker in any state, you must follow the regulations set by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

According to this administration, the first step to obtaining your Broker Authority license (also known as a Motor Carrier Operating Authority license) is to register your company as a business. Next, you must obtain a U.S. Department of Transportation number. After doing so, you will submit this number, an application and $300 application fee to the FMCSA. Application processing time usually takes between four and six weeks. All licensed freight brokers are required to carry a $75,000 surety bond at all times.

If you are interested in earning certification, you may opt to sit for the Certified Transportation Broker exam, which is offered exclusively through the Transportation Intermediaries Association.

Career Outlook and Salary Expectations

According to data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) during 2017, freight brokers working in Mississippi earned an average of $21.65 per hour, which is equivalent to $45,040 per year. The top 10 percent of freight brokers in this state earned more than $59,000 during the same year.

Figures provided by the BLS also state that there were 270 freight brokers working in Mississippi during 2016, and by 2026 this number is projected to rise to 290. This represents a 5.1 percent expansion in the job market for freight brokers in Mississippi during this 10-year period.

Working as a Freight Broker in Mississippi

In Mississippi, the cities with the highest populations are Gulfport and Southaven. Places like these will have a large amount of freight distribution, which means they will be ideal places for freight brokers to work.

Working directly under an experienced freight broker would be wise for those who are new to the industry. After establishing the level of expertise necessary to work as a self-employed freight broker, you may decide to start your own brokerage company. With responsibility and dedication, you can build a fruitful and long-lasting career as a freight broker.