How to Become a Freight Broker in West Virginia

If you’re interested in the logistics and transportation industry, becoming a freight broker may be the right career for you.

Freight brokers are an essential part of the supply chain that helps keep the flow of goods moving seamlessly across the US and beyond!

Below, we provide an overview of what it takes to become a freight broker in West Virginia.

We’ll include details on freight broker duties and licensing requirements and answer a few frequently asked questions about the career.

Freight Broker Duties

West Virginia freight brokers carry out a range of responsibilities to facilitate logistics and transportation for goods that need to be transported across the state or country.

Examples of their duties include the following:

• Act as Shipping Intermediaries: Freight brokers in Virginia act as intermediaries for shippers and carriers to connect along the supply chain.
• Contract Negotiations: Brokers negotiate contractors with shippers, manufacturers, and carriers. They help all parties find cost-effective shipping solutions for moving products to distribution centers and warehouses nationwide.
• Payment Facilitation: Shippers and carriers often rely on their brokers to negotiate fair and affordable rates and to distribute payment. Brokers accept payment from shippers and forward balances owed to carriers after deducting their commission fees based on the contracted rates.
• Cargo Tracking and Transport: Cargo is monitored from pickup to delivery by third-party logistics providers who often create and plan transportation routes for distribution and delivery.

Licensing Requirements for Freight Brokers in West Virginia

• West Virginia freight brokers must have registered licenses with the US Department of Transportation and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
• New brokers can begin the licensing application process by visiting the relevant agency websites and completing the application online.
• Prospective brokers must note that they may also be required to get additional business licenses and certifications to operate as a legal brokerage in West Virginia.
• Freight brokers must also get a surety bond and designate a process agent to protect their business and cargo along the supply chain.

West Virginia Freight Broker Program

Some schools offering truck driver and logistics training also offer freight broker and freight agent training programs. 

A college or university usually offers these programs as a continuing education program component. 

West Virginia University at Parkersburg

WVU at Parkersburg Workforce and Economic Development offers an online freight broker training program that most students complete in about six months. 

The program teaches prospective brokers the basics of the industry, how to get licensed, and how to market their businesses. 

Contact Information

• Address: 300 Campus Drive, Parkersburg, WV 26104 US
• Website: https://careertraining.ed2go.com/wvup/training-programs/freight-broker-training/
• Phone: 304-424-8000

Online Freight Broker Training in West Virginia

A wide variety of options are available for West Virginia freight brokers who want to get training online.

Consider the following required skill sets when searching for freight broker training programs online. 

Required Skills

• Logistics and Shipping
• Sales, Marketing, and Customer Service
• Legal Regulations and Compliance
• Business Management and Operations

Salary

US freight brokers can make hefty salaries that range into the hundred thousand.

High salaries are often the exception rather than the rule, where the average salary of US freight brokers in West Virginia is just over $35,000.00 a year.

New brokers who want to earn higher salaries as freight brokers can invest in their businesses by taking training classes, negotiating better commissions, and partnering with specialty logistics providers to boost their incomes.

Annual Salary Range: Annual Salary by Location:

Location	Avg. Annual Salary
Charleston	$43,668
Huntington	$42,820
Parkersburg	$42,570
Wheeling	$46,933
Morgantown	$46,933
Weirton	$46,736
Fairmont	$46,933
Beckley	$43,285
Clarksburg	$42,187
Martinsburg	$53,127

Regional Salary in West Virginia

* Salary information based on the May 2022 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Cargo and Freight Agents, OCC Code 43-5011, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I get freight broker training in West Virginia?

There are a few different ways to get freight broker training in West Virginia.

The easiest way is to attend classes online.

Prospective freight brokers can learn how to become freight brokers by attending online training offered by one of West Virginia’s colleges or universities.

Many local colleges and universities have partnered with online education providers to offer career-based and continuing education training programs for students who want to start businesses or non-traditional careers.

Do I need a license to become a freight broker in West Virginia?

Yes.

All West Virginia brokers participating in commerce shipping and sales must register with the Department of Transportation for an individual registration and license number.

Failing to maintain the proper licensing and registration numbers for commerce on US roads may result in license suspension, fines, or other fees.

How much do freight brokers get paid in West Virginia?

West Virginia freight brokers make about $35,000.00 a year on average.

They can make more or less than the average based on factors like freight broker education, elite contracts, and negotiating skills that garner higher commission rates.

There are some successful brokers operating in West Virginia and other states in the US that make as much as one hundred thousand dollars per year.

These brokers put in additional time and effort to complete related trainings and stay on top of industry trends that keeps them at the top of their game.

Freight Broker Info by State