How to hire a freight broker

How to hire a freight broker, step by step

Here's a step-by-step freight broker hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a freight broker job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new freight broker
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The freight broker hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A freight broker's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, freight brokers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of freight broker salaries for various roles:

   Type of Freight Broker	Description	Hourly rate
   Freight Broker		$16-37
   Air Cargo Agent	An air cargo agent is responsible for the safety of all air cargo in a flight. They are responsible for inspecting each shipment, logging shipment information, monitoring shipments in transit, and ensuring that shipments reach their destinations... Show more	$12-24
   Cargo Agent	A cargo agent is primarily in charge of facilitating cargo shipments, ensuring the cargo gets to their destination timely and accurately. They are responsible for preparing and processing the necessary documents and fees, routing shipments and arranging the shipping methods, weighing the parcels, and coordinating the logistics and transportation details... Show more	$12-21

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • TMS
   • Logistics
   • FTL
   • Shippers
   • LTL
   • Freight Carriers
   • Load Boards
   • Materials Handling
   • Market Trends
   • Intermodal
   • Broker Freight
   • Customer Service
   • Delivery Appointments
   • Commodities

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage EDI transmit pricing on orders from customers.
   • Manage, inspect, photograph, and create reports biweekly for U.S. department of HUD and Fannie Mae assign properties.
   • Book dry and refrigerate freight for FTL and LTL loads.
   • Specialize in working with power only units and flat beds experience in working with FTL, and LTL shipments.
   • Create, develop and retain business relationships with shippers.
   • Provide RFP's for large company customers

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your freight broker job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A freight broker can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, freight brokers' average salary in south dakota is 38% less than in new york.
   • Seniority. Entry-level freight brokers 55% less than senior-level freight brokers.
   • Certifications. A freight broker with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a freight broker's salary.

   Average freight broker salary

   $52,390yearly

   $25.19 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level freight broker salary

   $35,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 15, 2025

4. Writing a freight broker job description

   A freight broker job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a freight broker job description:

   Freight broker job description example

   THE COMPANY: Since 1980, Stevens Transport has remained the primary choice of the Fortune 500 for delivery of perishable items and is the largest family-owned and operated climate controlled freight company in Texas. Family is a top priority at Stevens and those values are integrated into everything we do, every day. Our award-winning service and reputation paired with state-of-the-art equipment has made us the pioneer of the industry.
   
   Stevens Transport Corporate offices as well as it's many departments and family of companies, reside on a massive 75-acre campus just East of Dallas. As a debt free, multimodal logistics conglomerate, Stevens Transport injects unmatched integrity into a corporate business model that reflects a track record of consistent growth and success. As “America's Trucking Family” and one of the nation's premier employers, we understand that our biggest “assets” are our people that support the continuous growth.
   
   If you are looking to continue with a rewarding career in Transportation & Logistics, come join the over 750 corporate family members with an exciting opportunity waiting for you!!
   
   THE ROLE: Stevens Transport TL, the brokerage division of Stevens Transport, is seeking to hire a National Freight Broker to solicit independent carriers to cover customer-awarded freight by negotiating profitable margins on various lanes, generate carrier sales leads and build relationships with carriers.
   
   Our Freight Brokers have strong oral, written and interpersonal communication skills and a passion for sales, relationship building, and working with people. They are at the center of an unpredictable, deadline-driven environment and are expert problem-solvers and can think on their feet.
   
   QUALIFICATIONS:Highly organized and communicative - must be able to interact effectively at all levels, both internally and externally Ability to perform in an environment with rapidly changing priorities and competing deadlines High degree of initiative and independent execution. You are capable of thriving as a team player but are also driven by autonomy
   
   ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:Selling freight to carriers over the phone and consistently making and answering 100+ calls per day Building and maintaining relationships with carriers and covering 25+ loads a week Generating carrier sales leads Negotiating rates with drivers for best return on gross profit per load Monitoring shipment status, reply to e-mails, process updates and act as point of contact for carrier and customer Documenting daily check calls in AS/400Communicating changes in load status to applicable parties
   
   REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:Timely follow-through Ability to handle high volumes of inbound email Solid computer skills with above average typing speed and accuracy
   HIGHLY BENEFICIAL QUALIFICATIONS:1+ years of carrier sales OR logistics experience
   Medical, Vision, Dental coverage and Supplemental Life Insurance available + 401(k) retirement plan and quarterly match.
   
   #LI-MA2
   #ZR #ONSITE

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right freight broker for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your freight broker job on Zippia to find and recruit freight broker candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting freight brokers requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new freight broker

   Once you've found the freight broker candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new freight broker. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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