Freight Broker/Agent Training Schools in Maryland

A freight broker in Maryland must negotiate prices, prepare quotes, collect relevant information, and track/manage shipments on behalf of a customer. In short, these professionals act as intermediaries, ensuring that purchased goods are shipped and delivered expediently and efficiently.

Freight brokers also help customers manage any challenges that may occur during the shipping process. For their efforts, they are well-rewarded and enjoy many opportunities to continue scaling their enterprises.

The following sections discuss the requirements and considerations that Maryland residents must understand to enter this profession successfully.

How to Become a Freight Broker in Maryland

Candidates may follow the steps below to enter into the freight brokerage discipline in Maryland.

Completing a Formal Program

Like any other profession, proper training is absolutely crucial to becoming a successful freight broker in Maryland. During their time in training, candidates are expected to gain extensive knowledge of how the transportation industry works while cultivating customer service, negotiation, and tracking/planning skills.

Interested individuals who would like to be able to focus on other life commitments at the same time as their educational activities can choose online programs or even self-paced options.

An upcoming section showcases some of the best programs for individuals to consider.

Business Registration and Planning

Prospective freight brokers in Maryland should work at an existing brokerage business before starting their businesses to learn the principles of the profession. Once they are ready, they can incorporate a business under their desired legal framework.

Of course, it is also important for candidates to plan how their business will be run.

This is also the point at which to start networking and building a solid database of trusted and reliable carriers.

Freight Broker Bond

Candidates need to meet a few legal requirements to start a freight brokerage business, and one of these is to have a freight broker bond. They are also expected to have blank coverage insurance.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration expects brokerage businesses to register and acquire a local transportation number from the Department of Transportation in their specific state, which in this case is Maryland.

Explore trades with similar paths:

• How to become a masonry worker in Maryland

Licensure & Certification Requirements

Freight brokers in Maryland are free to begin their career working with an existing freight brokering business as long as they are properly trained. State registration for a business only comes into play when candidates are about to branch out on their own and start their brokerage entity.

As mentioned earlier, it is also compulsory to receive a unique identification number from the State Department of Transportation and use this number to obtain a license from the FMCSA.

Another important professional consideration that is mandatory yet vital is certification. Freight brokers can become certified by an organization like the Association for Supply Chain Management to not only set themselves apart and acquire a greater level of credibility but also to have access to important resources for networking and continuing education.

Top Freight Broker Schools in Maryland

The following are some relevant programs for prospective freight brokers in Maryland.

Explore freight broker training schools in Maryland by city:

• Freight broker training schools in Baltimore

Salary & Career Outlook

At the beginning of their careers as freight brokers and $73,270 in Maryland, professionals often manage an annual average salary between $34,900 and $73,270. The first figure is most relevant for those in the bottom category, while the second figure is relevant for those in the median-earning category.

Long-time workers can be among the highest-paid and end the year with an average salary of around $153,825. Of course, how long they have worked is not the only factor that influences these numbers.

A professional’s reputation, business strategy, and specific location in the state also matter. Baltimore and Columbia currently have the highest annual average salaries for freight brokers in Maryland, at around $74,906 and $74,136, respectively.

Finksburg is also ranked high, with an average yearly return figure of $63,335.