Get Freight Broker Training in Oregon

Freight brokers are key players in the transportation chain that moves goods from one location to another. They act as intermediaries by connecting a shipper who has a product to sell with an authorized carrier who would like to provide that transportation. Freight brokers provide a variety of services for their clients, including negotiating prices, managing contracts and permits, and coordinating delivery schedules.

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Freight brokers in Oregon may find work with a transportation company or start their own small business from home if they prefer. This is a potentially lucrative career option as well. In 2018, Oregon exported over $22 billion worth of goods, which was 9.4 percent of the state’s GDP. Oregon is a prime location for freight brokers, since it’s on the West Coast. This makes it easier to connect clients from across Asia and Canada to the rest of the US.

Oregon Licensing Requirements for Freight Brokers

Oregon does not have its own regulations or licensing requirements for freight brokers. Instead, they rely on federal oversight from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Before you can begin work as a freight broker, you’ll need to be 18 years old and have your high school diploma or GED.

There are two primary routes to becoming a freight broker. You may gain the skills you need through on-the-job training with a transportation company or larger freight brokerage. The other option is to seek out training from a local community college or trade school.

Before you’re ready to start working as a freight broker, there are several additional steps you’ll have to complete. The steps may vary depending on whether you are employed by a transportation company or plan to start your own freight brokerage. To register your business with the FMCSA you’ll need to:

  1. Apply for a USDOT number and a Motor Carrier (MC) number for your business
  2. Pay a $300 application fee
  3. Obtain liability and cargo insurance and a surety bond of $75,000

Once you submit your application, it may take four to six weeks to complete your registration with the FMCSA. You can’t begin to practice as a freight broker in Oregon until this registration process is complete.

Training for Freight Brokers in Oregon

While you can learn the business through on-the-job training, it may be easier to start working as a freight broker if you get training prior to entering the industry. Taking courses at a college or trade school will give you the background you’ll need in business management, marketing and bookkeeping, as well as teach you the industry-specific aspects of the job. You’ll learn about the laws and regulations for shipping, how to set contracts and invoice clients, and details on insurance and running a freight brokerage.

One option for further education is the program offered via Ed2go. They’ve teamed up with industry experts to create a nationally-recognized program you can take at your local community college. These partnerships with local institutions allow you to receive personal attention from your instructors in small class settings or online, while getting the benefit of a fully-developed curriculum. Some of the local colleges that offer this six-month Freight Broker/Agent program include:

  • Portland Community College in Portland
  • Linn-Benton Community College in Albany
  • Lower Columbia College in Longview, Washington

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Search Freight Broker/Agent Training Programs

Get information on Freight Broker Courses by entering your zip code and request enrollment information.

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Once you’ve completed your coursework and started working as a freight broker, you may gain additional certification as a transportation broker (CTB) through the Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA). They offer advanced coursework that should help you improve your business skills and may increase your credibility as a freight broker.

Salary Expectations for Freight Brokers in Oregon

What kind of salary can you expect to make as a freight broker? Your salary will depend on your level of experience and whether you work for a large, medium or small transportation firm. If you opt to start your own business, your earnings may be modest as you expand your clientele.

According to Indeed.com, freight brokers in Oregon reported an average salary of $70,160 per year in the 36 months prior to February 2020. This ranged from approximately $17,000 on the low end to over $160,000 on the upper end. In general, Oregon freight brokers report earning about 23 percent more than the national average. Shipping is an industry that is integral to the economy of Oregon, so freight brokers should remain in demand for years to come.

Working as a Freight Broker in Oregon

Freight brokers in Oregon provide a vital service, as so many industries rely on the products shipped through the state for their livelihoods. You may be facilitating the movement of computer or medical components, agriculture products or materials for construction, among the many possibilities. Goods can be shipped over the ocean through the Port of Portland and easily distributed throughout the nation by highway or railway. Oregon often acts as a hub for commerce, and local freight brokers have the advantage of direct access to international markets for both importing and exporting products.

You can also find freight broker training in California, Washington, Idaho and Nevada.