Freight brokers in Massachusetts connect critical parts of the transportation industry.
Talented freight brokers are in high demand across the country, including in Massachusetts.
Completing a Massachusetts freight broker program helps prospective freight brokers understand the laws and the terminology used in the industry, and the difference between a freight broker and agent.
Gain the skills and knowledge that are necessary to become a vital asset to all aspects of the shipping industry.
Freight brokers must complete the licensing requirements required for the state where they wish to work or start their own business as a freight broker.
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Freight Broker Duties in Massachusetts
Freight brokers have a variety of duties, some of which include:
- Serving as a liaison between the shippers and the carriers
- Taking pickup orders from the company
- Scheduling freight and communicating order instructions to the drivers
- Demonstrating outstanding communication skills and negotiation skills
- Assuming the financial responsibility in the shipping process
- Utilizing computer skills and technology skills in day-to-day job duties
The duties of a freight broker in Massachusetts also include resolving any issues that arise, invoicing the shippers, and paying the carriers and the freight agents.
Freight brokers must have excellent listening skills and time management skills.
Licensing Requirements to Become a Freight Broker in Massachusetts
Massachusetts does not have state licensing requirements to become a freight broker.
Other requirements do exist for freight brokers.
Freight brokers are required to obtain licensing from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
The FMCSA enforces nationwide regulations to make sure that all carrier companies operate in an efficient and safe manner.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration explains that new freight broker applicants who are applying for the first time must “apply for broker authority with the FMCSA via the Unified Registration System (URS).
”Once the applicant receives the required MC number, the applicant may continue the process.”
The steps include:
- Obtaining a Surety Bond (Form BMC-84) or Trust Fund Agreement (Form BMC-85) in the amount of $75,000
- Designating a process agent by completing Form BOC-3
- Paying the $300 application fee
- Update authority as required by the FMCSA
It is important to note that first-time broker applicants may designate themselves as the processing agent.
The average application processing time is four to six weeks.
Freight Broker Programs in Massachusetts
People who want to become a freight broker in The Commonwealth of Massachusetts often complete a freight broker program.
Completing a freight broker program will provide students with the knowledge and skills to become a successful freight broker.
Westfield State University, located in Westfield, offers an online Freight Broker/Agent Training program.
The university indicates that students learn licensing, freight broker operations, transportation laws, and sales and marketing for freight brokers.
Students also learn how to obtain their licensure and how to start their own successful freight brokerage.
There are no program prerequisites.
The focus of the program is solely on U.S. domestic freight brokering.
Students have six months to complete the 100 percent online program.
Massachusetts Bay (MassBay) Community College offers a Freight Broker/Agent Training program online.
Students enrolled in the self-paced program gain detailed knowledge about being a freight broker in Massachusetts.
Learn the terminology and laws associated with the industry.
Gain knowledge about the foundational aspects of freight brokering, technology skills, marketing and advertising skills, and other important skills.
Students have six months to complete the online program, which costs $1,895.
Another freight broker program option in Massachusetts is the program offered by Bunker Hill Community College.
The program is also offered online.
It is a self-paced, 100-hour program that students must complete within six months.
Massachusetts Freight Broker Salary
The salary for a freight broker in Massachusetts varies, according to several factors.
The city where you work may affect your salary.
Experienced freight brokers likely make more money than a freight broker with less experience.
Salary.com lists the salary range for a freight broker in Massachusetts as ranging from $35,931 to $40,581.
The stated salary range for a freight broker in Boston is $37,199 to $42,013.
Freight brokers working in Salem have a salary range of $37,155 to $41,963.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Boston | $54,167 |
| Worcester | $50,735 |
| Springfield | $50,228 |
| Lowell | $52,446 |
| Cambridge | $54,167 |
| Brockton | $52,499 |
| New Bedford | $51,153 |
| Fall River | $51,153 |
| Lynn | $54,167 |
| Quincy | $54,167 |
Regional Salary in Massachusetts
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | 690 | $54,130 | $26.02 | $72,650 | $36,830 |
| Springfield, MA-CT | 70 | $65,780 | $31.62 | $82,210 | $37,190 |
| Worcester, MA-CT | 60 | - NA - | - NA - | - NA - | - NA - |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Massachusetts freight brokers work long hours?
Freight brokers in Massachusetts can usually set their own working hours.
Many freight brokers work from home, which means that they have the independence to establish a comfortable work/ life balance.
What is the job outlook for freight brokers?
The Westfield State University Freight Broker program page indicates that the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) lists the freight broker/agent as having a “bright outlook,” with the potential for more than 30 percent job growth over the next few years.
Why are freight brokers in such high demand in Massachusetts?
Freight brokers are in high demand for several reasons, including because of the significant role that they have in the logistics and transportation industries.
They simplify the shipping process, improve operations efficiency, and build important relationships with shippers and carriers.
Freight Broker Info by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
