How Much Money Do Freight Brokers Make? (Freight Broker Earnings Explained)
- Matt
- Nov 17, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 17
If you’re thinking about getting into freight brokerage, one of the first questions you probably have is, “How much money can I make as a freight broker?” The answer? It depends, but for the right person, freight broker earnings can reach six or even seven figures annually. In this post, we’re going to break it all down: freight broker salaries, freight agent earnings, what impacts your income, and how to maximize your profits.
What Is a Freight Broker’s Average Salary?
Let’s get straight to the numbers. According to industry data, freight brokers can earn 7-8 figures if built correctly.
Here’s a breakdown of earnings based on experience:
Entry-Level Freight Broker: $40,000–$65,000/year
Mid-Level Freight Broker: $65,000–$150,000/year
Top Performers and Owners: $150,000–$500,000+
Unlike many 9-to-5 jobs, freight broker income isn’t capped. As you gain experience, build relationships, and grow your business, the sky’s the limit.
How Freight Brokers Earn Money
Freight brokers make money by charging a margin on the freight they move. Here’s how it works:
Negotiation: A broker negotiates a rate with the shipper (e.g., $2,000 to move a load).
Carrier Payment: The broker hires a trucking company to move the load (e.g., pays the carrier $1,600).
Profit: The difference, $400, is the broker’s profit.
Most brokers aim for a margin of 15% to 20% on each load, though this can vary by industry and market conditions.
Freight Broker vs. Freight Agent Earnings
It’s important to know the difference between freight brokers and freight agents when it comes to earnings:
Freight Brokers: As business owners, brokers keep 100% of the profit after expenses. This means higher earning potential but also more responsibilities.
Freight Agents: Agents work under a broker’s authority and typically earn 50%–70% of the profit on each load they book. While they have less risk and responsibility, their earnings are tied to their commission rate.
Example:
A freight broker books $10,000 in profits in a week, they keep all of it.
A freight agent books the same $10,000 in profits, they earn $5,000–$7,000, depending on their commission rate.
What Impacts Freight Broker Earnings?
Several factors determine how much money you can make as a freight broker or agent:
Experience: The more you know, the easier it is to negotiate higher margins and build long-term relationships with shippers.
Industry: Niche markets (e.g., refrigerated freight or oversized loads) often yield higher margins than general freight.
Volume: Moving more loads increases your total profit, even if margins are smaller.
Efficiency: Investing in tools like load boards and transportation management systems (TMS) can help you move freight faster.
Training: Proper freight broker training (like my course at howtobecomeafreightbroker.com) can save you years of trial and error.
How Much Do Freight Brokers Make Per Load?
On average, freight brokers earn $100–$500 per load in profit, depending on the size of the shipment and the margin negotiated.
Example:
A small load: $200 profit
A large, specialized load: $1,000+ profit
Move 20 loads a week with an average profit of $200/load, and you’re making $16,000/month, or almost $200,000/year.
Can Freight Brokers Earn Six Figures?
Absolutely. In fact, many freight brokers hit six figures within their first few years. Here’s a simple roadmap:
Year 1: Build relationships, learn the business, and aim for $40,000–$75,000.
Year 2–3: Grow your shipper network, increase volume, and aim for $100,000–$150,000.
Year 5+: Scale your business by hiring agents or staff and aim for $200,000–$500,000+.
Is Becoming a Freight Broker Worth It?
The freight brokerage industry is highly lucrative for those willing to put in the work. You control your schedule, your earnings, and how big you want your business to grow.
Freight Broker Income Advantages:
Unlimited Potential: You earn based on how much freight you move and how well you negotiate.
Low Barrier to Entry: With proper freight broker training and tools, you can start earning quickly.
Scalability: You can grow from a one-person operation to a multimillion-dollar brokerage.
Freight Broker Income Challenges:
Risk: As a broker, you’re responsible for billing, compliance, and carrier payments.
Learning Curve: It takes time to build shipper relationships and learn the industry.
Ready to Earn More as a Freight Broker?
Freight brokerage is one of the few industries where your income is directly tied to your hustle. If you’re ready to take control of your career, start earning what you’re worth, and break into a booming industry, check out my freight broker training course at howtobecomeafreightbroker.com.
Whether you’re a beginner or looking to scale your business, my course gives you the tools and strategies to succeed.
Until next time, keep hustling and book more freight!
