How to Become a Freight Broker in Tennessee (2026)
Tennessee employs about 4,990 freight brokers earning a median $71,280 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most freight brokers train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Tennessee.
Key Facts
- Median wage (Tennessee): $71,280/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Employed in Tennessee: 4,990 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Location quotient: 0.94x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Projected growth: 16.7% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)
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Compare Freight Broker Schools in Tennessee
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Kentucky Community and Technical College | 56.9 | Contact school for pricing | $43,110 | 49% | Yes* | 118 mi |
| 2 | Chattanooga State Community College | 48.1 | $4,772 - $17,756 | $48,364 | 24% | Yes* | 124 mi |
| 3 | Motlow State Community College | 47.8 | Contact school for pricing | $45,149 | 31% | Yes* | 64 mi |
| 4 | Volunteer State Community College | 46.8 | Contact school for pricing | $47,655 | 26% | Yes* | 61 mi |
| 5 | Nashville State Community College | 39.5 | Contact school for pricing | $48,592 | Not reported | Yes* | 36 mi |
Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.
Tennessee employs approximately 4,990 freight brokers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $71,280 1. Nationally, freight broker employment is projected to grow 16.7% from 2024 to 2034, with about 26,400 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a freight broker in Tennessee, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Freight Broker Wages by Metro Area in Tennessee
Logisticians Wages by Metro Area in Tennessee
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), logisticians wages in Tennessee vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis | 1,720 | $71,230 | $79,350 | $42,730 | $134,180 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin | 1,580 | $77,610 | $80,650 | $45,550 | $132,900 |
| Knoxville | 540 | $65,030 | $69,540 | $42,750 | $107,390 |
| Chattanooga | 370 | $73,680 | $78,870 | $44,500 | $125,890 |
| Clarksville | 170 | $65,170 | $73,600 | $40,560 | $119,320 |
| Kingsport-Bristol | 170 | $74,380 | $74,130 | $45,430 | $99,230 |
| Jackson | 140 | $50,220 | $58,930 | $39,710 | $82,930 |
| Morristown | 90 | $64,540 | $69,700 | $48,520 | $104,930 |
| Johnson City | 60 | $69,940 | $73,960 | $49,260 | $109,240 |
| Cleveland | 40 | $63,600 | $68,960 | $45,370 | $95,530 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Median wage (Tennessee): $71,280 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Freight Broker in Tennessee
How to become a freight broker in Tennessee? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for freight brokers in Tennessee.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
What do freight brokers earn in Tennessee? The median annual wage for freight brokers in Tennessee is $71,280 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $42,730 and experienced professionals can earn $127,700 or more 1.
How to Become a Freight Broker in Tennessee
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Tennessee training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
- Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an accredited trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in Tennessee that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
- Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
- Meet state and employer requirements. Confirm any registration, certification, or employer requirements that apply to freight brokers in Tennessee before you start working.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for freight brokers in Tennessee? Tennessee currently employs approximately 4,990 freight brokers 1. Nationally, freight broker employment is projected to grow 16.7% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in Tennessee? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Tennessee.
How much do freight brokers earn in Tennessee compared to the national average? The median annual wage for freight brokers in Tennessee is $71,280, which is $9,600 below the national median of $80,880 according to BLS data 1.
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Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |