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How to Become a Freight Broker in Wisconsin

Many people may not realize the multi-step process that takes place before an item arrives at their doorstep. When cargo arrives at a shipping company, a carrier is needed to transport this cargo to its intended destination. A freight broker helps connect shipping companies with carriers who can transport these loads quickly and efficiently. Freight agents will help in this process by assisting brokers with finding the right carriers for different loads. The faster and more reliable carriers a freight broker can find, the more successful they will be in this industry.

Requirements for Becoming a Freight Broker in Wisconsin

In Wisconsin, like all other states, freight brokers are not held to statewide regulations. National law, however, requires freight brokers to earn a high school diploma or equivalent and obtain a government-issued Broker Authority license before practicing.

Post-secondary training programs for freight brokers are available, though not required by national law. To advance quickly within the trade, you’ll want to learn as much as you can. In addition to enrolling in a training program, you may also choose to enhance your skills by earning certification, finding an experienced professional to serve as your mentor and completing an internship.

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Wisconsin Schools for Freight Brokers

The training programs below were designed for both new and experienced freight brokers to refine their skills.

  • Freight Broker Boot Camp is based entirely online. With a payment of $98, students will receive six months of full online access to financial strategies, negotiating methods, training articles, workflow diagrams and much more. After just 30 days, students should have the necessary skills to enter the trade.
  • Brooke Training offers ree tuition to veterans who qualify. All students also receive job placement assistance after completing courses. Students will learn both basic and advanced skills, and courses take place in-person as well as online.
  • Freight Movers School is also based online, with some course offerings taking place in-person in select states. Both beginner and advanced courses are available.

Certifications for Becoming a Freight Broker in Wisconsin

When you have completed high school or earned your GED, you will need to follow the requirements set in place by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) in order to obtain your Broker Authority license (also referred to as a Motor Carrier Operating Authority license). Initial requirements include registering your company as a business. Once you have done this, you will need to obtain a U.S. Department of Transportation number. Next, you will submit this number, an application and a $300 application fee to the FMCSA. You can expect your application to be processed within 4 to 6 weeks.

The FMCSA also requires that all freight brokers carry a $75,000 surety bond at all times.

Though certification is not necessary to practice, you may be interested in becoming a Certified Transportation Broker by successfully completing the exam administered 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 Wisconsin earned an average of $20.32 per hour, which is equivalent to $42,260 per year. The top 10 percent of freight brokers in this state earned more than $64,000 per year.

Figures provided by the BLS also state that there were 760 freight brokers working in the state of Wisconsin during 2016, and by 2026, this number is expected rise to 810. This represents a 6.5 percent expansion in the job market for freight brokers in Wisconsin over this 10-year period.

Working as a Freight Broker in Wisconsin

In Wisconsin, you can expect to earn the highest compensation in heavily populated cities like Madison and Green Bay. With their large populations, these cities are likely to see a large amount of transport each year.

Freight brokers will employ themselves by starting their own brokerage company, or they may choose to reap the benefits of working for a brokerage company that has been in operation for several years. If you want to enter this career field, it would benefit you to learn the ropes from someone who knows all about the business. This way, you can learn best practices, common tools and strategies to turn the highest profits.