How to hire a freight dispatcher

How to hire a freight dispatcher, step by step

Here's a step-by-step freight dispatcher 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 dispatcher job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new freight dispatcher
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the freight dispatcher you need to hire. Certain freight dispatcher roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   A freight dispatcher's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, freight dispatchers 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.

   The following list breaks down different types of freight dispatchers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Freight Dispatcher	Description	Hourly rate
   Freight Dispatcher		$11-35
   Yardmaster/Customer Service/Crew Dispatching	A yardmaster/customer service/crew dispatching officer functions differently depending on their industry or place of employment. Most of their responsibilities revolve around dealing with providing customer support and services, responding to inquiries and correspondence, addressing issues and concerns, providing corrective measures, and producing progress reports... Show more	$12-18
   Dispatch Coordinator	A dispatch coordinator is primarily in charge of dispatching and tracking vehicles that provide different services. The extent of their duties varies upon their industry or institution of employment... Show more	$14-22

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • DOT
   • Shippers
   • OTR
   • Load Boards
   • Owner Operators
   • LTL

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage customer service satisfaction by providing update eta and location of drivers.
   • Dispatch drivers from the CSX to other locations within Tennessee.
   • Call carriers on a daily basis to update moves in Pegasus.
   • Perform daily dispatching import and export container trucks, customer service, data input accuracy and maintain office operation.
   • Ensure proper documentation and quality containers utilize for export container drays.
   • Discuss cable television equipment operation with customers over telephone to explain equipment usage and to troubleshoot equipment problems.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your freight dispatcher job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A freight dispatcher salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, freight dispatchers' average salary in montana is 36% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level freight dispatchers earn 67% less than senior-level freight dispatchers.
   • Certifications. A freight dispatcher with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a freight dispatcher's salary.

   Average freight dispatcher salary

   $42,749yearly

   $20.55 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level freight dispatcher salary

   $24,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 23, 2026

4. Writing a freight dispatcher job description

   A good freight dispatcher job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a freight dispatcher job description:

   Freight dispatcher job description example

   Boise Cascade Building Materials Distribution has an opening for a Freight Specialist Dispatcher. Please review the responsibilities and needed qualifications below and apply today!
   
   Boise Cascade has been in the business of manufacturing wood products and distributing building materials for over half a century. Today we're one of the largest manufacturers of plywood and engineered wood products in North America - and the only wholesale stocking distributor for building products that can service the entire United States. Because our business is built on relationships, our associates are critical to our success. And we're committed to investing in them. That's why we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to have a positive impact on all areas of your life - from health and well-being, career and community, to financial security and personal safety, with many benefits beginning on your first day of employment. We call it, Total Rewards. Here's a snapshot of what we offer:
   * We care about your Health, Well-Being, and Future:
   * Medical + Prescription, Dental + Vision
   * Flexible Spending Account, Health Reimbursement Account, Preventive Care
   
   * Life and Accidental Death Insurance, 401(k)/Roth Retirement Plan Options with Employer Contributions
   * Tuition Assistance, Employee Assistance Program
   
   * We offer paid Time Away from Work:
   * 8 Holidays, Personal/Vacations Days
   * Disability Benefits, Parental Leave
   
   * We Appreciate you:
   * Competitive Base and Incentive Pay for all positions
   * Service Recognition Program
   * Professional development and career progression opportunities
   
   Responsibilities
   
   Schedule the inbound and/or outbound delivery of products and orders to customers via contract or company truck drivers. Coordinate with the location's personnel to provide trucking arrangements for all freight needs. Utilize RFN system (review routes, assign route number, release pick ticket information to scanning equipment) for trucks and/or will calls. Maintain the company-owned truck fleet including truck maintenance, maintenance records, and physical inspection of equipment keeping them in effective operating condition. Meet customer service requirements and monitor department productivity and location goals. Create day-to-day safety awareness and DOT and OSHA regulations. Develop efficient delivery schedules effectively utilizing trucks and / or use of contract drivers. Assure timely filing of DOT reports and Driver Services records. Maintain profiles and freight contracts, motor carrier profiles, shipping rates, driving logs, etc. and update the TIS system as appropriate. Train driving associates. Demonstrate strong commitment to safety, quality, environmental awareness, and continuous process improvement. Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
   
   Qualifications
   
   Basic Qualifications: High school education or equivalent. Normal office environment with minimal physical exertion.
   
   Preferred Qualifications: Knowledge and experience with DOT regulations, requirements and truck driver safety a plus. Effective communication skills. Ability to perform tasks in a fast paced work environment. Requires proficiency in utilizing computer software applications necessary for performing job responsibilities. Ability to understand and apply addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
   
   Competencies: Applied Learning, Collaborating, Communication, Customer Orientation, Decision Making, Initiating Action, Managing Work, Monitoring Information, Safety Focus, Work Standards.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find freight dispatchers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any freight dispatchers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level freight dispatchers with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit freight dispatchers, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   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 dispatcher

   Once you have selected a candidate for the freight dispatcher position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new freight dispatcher. 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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