Freight Broker/Agent Training Schools in South Dakota

The state of South Dakota needs freight brokers just like anywhere else in the country. Projections from federal and state bodies are very favorable regarding the employment rate of freight brokers, which is why residents of the state are advised to consider this career if they are passionate about transportation and logistics.

To help interested individuals achieve their goals, we have provided a detailed guide on this page, analyzing everything it takes to enter the freight brokering discipline in South Dakota. We cover the basic expectations, educational considerations, specific training programs, and certification possibilities.

The guide concludes with an overview of the annual average salary figures for freight brokers in South Dakota, along with the factors that influence them.

How to Become a Freight Broker in South Dakota

Freight brokers in South Dakota begin their careers by following the steps below.

Attend a Training Program

While attending a training program as a future freight broker in South Dakota is not mandatory by law, it is crucial to ensure career success. For this reason, it is usually the first step that candidates take in their attempt to start a successful freight brokering business.

While it is possible to find a training school that offers a campus-only program, many will also provide students with the opportunity to study online through a self-guided approach. Candidates can expect to learn about industry trends, best practices, business requirements, and modern technology, among other key topics.

Networking & Career Identification

Freight brokers work closely with carriers, so finding the proper motor carrier is crucial to success in the field. Individuals must always be on the lookout for reputable, reliable, trustworthy, and safe carriers.

It is possible to find great options online or through recommendations from other brokers.

Start a Business

To officially become a freight broker and not a freight agent, candidates must launch their own freight brokering business. This requires several legal considerations, the first of which is the incorporation of a legal business entity in accordance with state laws.

Afterward, freight brokering businesses are required to have a surety bond of $75,000 and BOC-3 blanket coverage.

Register with the FMCSA

A freight brokering business is not considered a legal entity until it acquires approval from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. To do so, professionals in the field need a $300 OP-1 application form, which is usually processed in about one month.

They also need a unique registration number from the Department of Transportation.

Explore trades with similar paths:

• How to become a travel agent in South Dakota

Licensure & Certification Requirements

South Dakota is one of the many states across the country where freight brokers don’t need state approval to become licensed. They need approval from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Of course, they will still have to go through the steps to incorporate a business in the state, but the major approval will come after filing an OP-1 form with the FMCSA. As mentioned earlier, this will also involve a surety bond, blanket coverage insurance, and a USDOT number.

Approval from the FMCSA typically takes less than a month.

When it comes to certification as a freight broker in South Dakota, candidates are compelled to pursue one of their professional goals, not because it is compulsory. Those who want to attain certified status may consider credentials from the Association for Supply Chain Management and the Transportation Intermediaries Association.

Top Freight Broker Schools in South Dakota

The schools below are notable for excellent freight brokering training programs in South Dakota.

Explore freight broker training schools in South Dakota by city:

• Freight broker training schools in Sioux Falls

Salary & Career Outlook

A fresh freight broker in South Dakota can manage an average annual salary of $65,309 before starting to work on factors that will help them increase their yearly returns. These factors encompass considerations such as experience, location, business strategy, professional credentials, and networking.

Those who are on the most favorable side of all of these factors are the highest-paid in the state and can manage an annual average salary of $67,924 or more. Those who are still working on them can fall behind and start with an annual average salary of $62,794, placing them in the bottom 10% category.

As mentioned earlier, location can play a role. Prominent cities in South Dakota where one can work as a freight broker and earn significant yearly returns include Sioux Falls, with an annual average salary of $65,309, and Rapid City, with an annual average salary of $63,153.