How to Become a Freight Broker in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania freight brokers need to be able to manage all aspects of planning and coordinating logistics for the trucking industry.

The goal of a freight broker is to handle trucking loads.

With this handy informational guide, see what you need to know to work as a freight broker in PA.

We cover salaries in PA for freight brokers and answer frequently asked questions about this career.

Freight Broker Duties in Pennsylvania 

The typical duties of a freight broker involve managing hauls, talking with truck drivers, and working with customers shipping loads.

The industry ranges from retail and distribution centers to residential and small-to-medium (SMB) sized businesses.

Your goal is to manage freight loads and logistics to ensure deliveries arrive securely and on time.

Whether you work from home or in an office at a trucking company, your job duties are typically the same.

Here are some job duties of PA freight brokers that you can anticipate as part of your daily routine:

• Getting shipping requests from customers
• Setting shipping quotes for freight loads
• Booking freight hauls using carriers
• Scheduling loads to be picked up by drivers
• Working with carriers and shippers
• Managing records for hauls

You will also work with Department of Transportation (DOT) agents and inspectors in providing information about hauls and carriers.

Having some work history in the trucking or transportation industry will help you achieve your career goals as a freight broker.

This includes knowing how to engage positively with truck drivers delivering freight for you in some capacity. 

Licensing Requirements to Become a PA Freight Broker

In PA, there are no in-state specific licensing requirements for freight brokers.

To become a freight broker in Pennsylvania, you should follow the federal DOT requirements.

This covers getting a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) number, a DOT number, and a certificate for employment.

You can get the application for both of these at your local DOT office and online.

You must pay $300 to apply for a DOT and FMCSA license and number.

In addition, you will be expected to have a business bond called a surety bond.

This bond amount is $75,000 and covers any unexpected expenses you might have as a freight broker in PA.

Freight Broker Programs

Students can enroll in a freight broker training program at the Community College of Philadelphia.

This is a 100-hour credit course that takes up to six months in a self-paced program.

You do all your training online, and at the end, you earn a certificate stating you have completed the program.

The cost for the program is $1,895 for the online training.

Temple University

Temple University in Philadelphia, PA trains students who want to become freight brokers or agents.

For $1,895 in tuition and materials, you can earn a certificate in an online program.

Learn remotely to become a freight broker and receive 100 credit hours of training.

The course is self-paced, but you have six months to complete the program.

Freight Brokers Schools in Pennsylvania – Summary Table

Salary 

In Philadelphia, PA, freight broker agents earn approximately $37,300 annually.

Compare this to the national average of freight broker salaries, which is $35,000 made over a year.

You can make more in Philly as a freight broker, which benefits students training in this city.

In Erie, PA, the annual salary for a freight broker agent is $32,450.

As you can see, Erie residents make less in this industry than Philly residents. 

Annual Salary Range: Annual Salary by Location:

Location	Avg. Annual Salary
Philadelphia	$50,873
Pittsburgh	$47,220
Allentown	$48,313
Erie	$44,282
Upper Darby	$50,873
Reading	$47,689
Scranton	$44,499
Bethlehem	$48,313
Lancaster	$46,966
Bensalem	$52,256

Regional Salary in Pennsylvania

* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Cargo and Freight Agents, OCC Code 43-5011, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I Have to Pay for a Licensed Freight Broker in Pennsylvania?

No, you will not have to pay for a freight broker license in PA.

The state does not have a freight broker license or certification program.

Therefore, you can forgo having to pay such fees.

However, you must pay for a FMCSA and DOT license and number.

The cost for this is $300, and you pay this amount to the local DOT office when you apply for this documentation.

What is the Typical Time to Become a Freight Broker in PA?

On average, you will need to train to learn what is involved with freight broker agent duties.

Depending on the school or training program, this process typically takes six to 12 months.

If you go through a training program or online certificate course, you will have more of a structured timeline to become a PA freight broker.

Are Freight Brokers in PA Required to be Trained for Employment?

No, you are not required to go through a training program to be a PA freight broker agent.

The only requirement is to train for the job or learn what you need to know.

This involves picking up on the software and technology used to manage freight loads.

Here is where you can save valuable time by paying to attend a training program, such as an online course for freight brokers.

However, you do not have to take training or be a graduate of a school course on freight broker duties.

Freight Broker Info by State