A freight broker is a sales professional that sells freight transportation services to clients. Freight brokers work for transportation logistics, wholesale and manufacturing organizations that move products from one location to another using a variety of carriers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated the wages for a freight broker salary in Illinois in May 2012.
Qualifications
Most employers prefer some college coursework or an associate’s degree for this occupation. At least three years of previous freight brokering experience is often required. Along with education and experience, freight brokers must be persuasive, have strong customer service and negotiation skills. The ability to use software related to transportation pricing and creating delivery routes is also required.
Salary
The median salary for freight brokers in Illinois was $53,440 per year, according to the bureau. This includes bonuses and commissions paid for freight brokers’ sales performance. The 25th percentile earned $37,590 per year and the 75th percentile earned $80,750 per year. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $26,150 per year and the highest 10 percent earned more than $116,620 per year.
Hourly Wages
Some freight brokers earn hourly wages. Those paid hourly wages may not receive bonuses or commissions, depending on the employer. The median hourly wage was $25.69 per hour. The 25th percentile earned $18.07 per hour and the 75th percentile earned $38.82 per hour. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $12.57 per hour and the highest 10 percent earned more than $56.07 per hour.
Illinois Regional Areas
The bureau reported wages for 18 metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas in Illinois. The highest levels of employment of freight brokers were in the Chicago area, where the median salary was $56,230 per year or $27.03 per hour. In the Bloomington area, the median salary was $36,230 per year or $17.42 per hour. The highest wages were in the Lake County area, where the median salary was $58,910 per year or $28.32 per hour. In Rockford, the median salary was $47,640 per year or $22.91 per hour.
