How to Become a Freight Broker in North Dakota
Working as a freight broker will require patience, interpersonal skills and confidence. You’ll need to present yourself to shipping companies as someone who can add value to their business. In communication with carriers, you’ll want to appear as someone who is experienced, knowledgeable and self-assured. Your job will be to make the necessary connections between these two parties, choosing carriers who are timely, responsible and capable of getting the job done. Freight agents may assist you in this process, helping you source carriers and connecting you with shipping companies in need of your services.
Requirements for Becoming a Freight Broker in North Dakota
Although no statewide regulations exist when it comes to freight brokerage, national law holds all freight brokers to strict standards. These standards include earning a high school diploma or GED, as well as obtaining a government-issued license to practice. This license may be referred to as either a Motor Carrier Operating Authority license or a Broker Authority license.
National law does not set any standards that would require freight brokers to earn an education beyond the high school level. Even so, there are many freight broker training programs that exist and can be taken both online or in-person. Other options to further develop your skillset would include completing an apprenticeship or internship program, finding an experienced professional to become your mentor or earning certification.
North Dakota Schools for Freight Brokers
Those who enjoy learning in a structured setting may appreciate the freight brokerage training programs listed below:
- Load Training offers nline courses, as well as five-day in-person trainings which take place in Phoenix, Houston or Atlanta. Topics of study include how to respond to inquiries from carriers and shippers, how to create a truck availability database and much more.
- Brooke Training also ffers both in-person and online courses. The program covers basic and advanced brokerage techniques, allows qualifying veterans to attend courses for free and offers each student assistance with job placement upon course completion.
- Freight Movers School offers in-person trainings in Texas and Georgia. Online courses are also available. There is a course offered on brokerage basics as well as a course on improving sales.
Certifications for Becoming a Freight Broker in North Dakota
All national regulations for freight brokers are enforced by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). According to this administration, before you can obtain your license to practice you must first register your company as a business. Next, you’ll need to obtain a U.S. Department of Transportation number. After doing so, you will send this number, an application and application fee of $300 to the FMCSA. When your application has been approved, which typically takes four to six weeks, you will receive your license. All freight brokers are required to carry a $75,000 surety bond at all times.
Earning credentials can help you distinguish yourself from the competition. If you wish to do so, you can sit for the Certified Transportation Brokers exam, which is offered exclusively through the Transportation Intermediaries Association.
Career Outlook and Salary Expectations
In 2022, cargo and freight agents in the United States earn an average salary of $46,860 per year. The salary range for this occupation nationally spans from $32,720 at the 10th percentile to $70,280 at the 90th percentile. Unfortunately, specific data for North Dakota is not provided, but we can infer that the salaries in the state might be close to or within this national range.
National vs. North Dakota Salaries:
| Percentile | United States Salary | North Dakota Salary (2017 Data) |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | $32,720 | N/A |
| 25% | $38,400 | N/A |
| Median (50%) | $46,860 | N/A |
| 75% | $58,710 | N/A |
| 90% | $70,280 | N/A |
Freight Broker Trends in North Dakota
The employment trends for Cargo and Freight Agents in North Dakota (43-5011.00) demonstrate a significant growth trajectory for the decade from 2020 to 2030. In 2020, North Dakota had 160 employees working in this occupation. This number is projected to increase to 190 employees by 2030, representing a growth rate of 19%. Additionally, there are expected to be around 20 job openings annually over this period, which includes openings due to both growth and replacement. This trend indicates a robust job market for cargo and freight agents in North Dakota, 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 160 employees | 190 employees | 19% | 20 |
| United States | 95,900 employees (2022) | 105,200 employees (2032) | 10% (Much faster than average) | 11,000 |
Sources of Data:
North Dakota Data: The employment figures and projections for North Dakota 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 a Freight Broker in North Dakota
In North Dakota, the largest cities are Fargo and Bismarck. These will be ideal places for freight brokers to work in this state, as their large populations put them at the top of the list for freight distribution in North Dakota.
Learning is an essential component of growth. If you want to build a fruitful career that has longevity, it may be in your best interest to work at a brokerage company under experienced professionals who can show you a thing or two about this industry. After building the skillset to become a confident professional, it may be a natural next step to begin your own brokerage company and work as an entrepreneur. You may have to persevere through tough times, but this is true for most business owners. If you’re up for the challenge, you should consider getting started today.