Freight Broker/Agent Training Schools in Florida

A key responsibility for freight brokers in Florida is negotiating favorable rates for shippers and helping them discover the best carriers for their unique shipping needs. These professionals must also be able to manage logistical challenges and ensure that shipments are delivered within specified timetables.

To become a thriving freight broker in Florida, candidates must follow a few steps to receive foundational training and take advantage of career opportunities. Luckily for readers of this page, the guide below explains these steps in detail.

Along the way, readers will discover some training destinations for starting their careers and the expected annual average salary for freight brokers in Florida.

How to Become a Freight Broker in Florida

Florida freight brokers typically start their careers by following the considerations below.

Educational Requirements

Aspiring freight brokers in Florida will be glad to know they are not expected to have a postsecondary diploma or degree to start their careers. However, just because it is not mandatory does not mean it is not valued.

Candidates usually attend logistics and business classes to familiarize themselves with industry trends and relevant tools and make themselves more appealing to potential clients.

Business Registration

Candidates who have received the right base education to start their careers may begin to plan how they will run their freight brokerage business. Those who feel ready enough to proceed can then register their business with the state of Florida and receive an Employer Identification Number (EIN).

Broker Licensure & Surety Bond

Like in most states, freight brokerage businesses in Florida must receive a license from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). They also need a surety bond of $75,000 and possible workers’ compensation insurance, among other insurance policies.

We will discuss this issue further in the next section.

Relationship, Marketing & Continuous Learning

Lastly, freight brokerage is an ever-changing business; professionals are expected to keep up through continuous learning. They are also expected to leverage growing technology, including social media and tech, to improve their marketing efforts and build relationships with relevant figures in the industry.

Explore trades with similar paths:

• Learn how to become a travel agent in Florida

Licensure & Certification Requirements

The main licensure requirement for freight brokers in the state of Florida is a license from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Candidates must have officially registered their business to qualify for this license.

They can then submit their details to the administration, along with a registration fee of $300. Once their license has been approved, they may begin to work professionally as full-fledged freight brokers in Florida.

As for certification, even though it is not mandatory, candidates often pursue it anyway, thanks to the professional edge that comes along with it. The most prominent certification for freight brokers in Florida is the Certified Transportation Brokers credential offered by the Transportation Intermediaries Association.

Top Freight Brokerage Schools in Florida

The entries below are among the best freight-broking programs for Florida residents.

Explore freight broker training schools in Florida by city:

• Freight broker training schools in Miami

Salary & Career Outlook

Freight brokers in Florida who are just beginning their careers may take home an annual average salary of $65,320 if they are among the bottom 10% or around $33,997 among the average earners.

The good news is that with time and experience, they can increase their earnings to as high as $125,504 on average at the end of each year. This is good enough to be among the highest-paid freight brokers in the top 10%.

The location inside Florida where a freight broker works will also play a role in determining their annual returns, as will factors such as specialty focus and professional reputation.

A Florida freight brokers survey showed that professionals in Coral Springs earned the highest average salary, around $95,942 per year. Also worth mentioning are freight brokers in Clearwater, who earned an annual average salary of $89,439, and those in Saint Petersburg, who earned an annual average salary of $82,968.