How Much Does It Cost to Start a Freight Brokerage?
Last updated: March 2026
National Average
Low
$16,000
Medium
$36,000
High
$80,000
Start a freight brokerage connecting shippers with trucking carriers and earning a margin on freight transactions.
Time to Launch
1-3 months
Profit Margins
15-25%
Break-Even Timeline
3-12 months
Interactive Cost Calculator
Select a state below to see state-adjusted costs.
Startup Cost Calculator
Freight Brokerage in Nationally
Budget:
$2,500
$2,000
$600
$1,500
$400
$1,500
$600
$25,000
Options
Employees:
One-Time Costs
$34,100
Monthly Costs
$0
First Year Total
$34,100
Startup Costs by State
| State | Low | Medium | High | LLC Fee | Sales Tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | $13,600 | $30,600 | $68,000 | $50 | 7.0% |
| West Virginia | $13,760 | $30,960 | $68,800 | $100 | 6.0% |
| Alabama | $14,080 | $31,680 | $70,400 | $200 | 4.0% |
| Arkansas | $14,240 | $32,040 | $71,200 | $45 | 6.5% |
| Oklahoma | $14,240 | $32,040 | $71,200 | $100 | 4.5% |
| Kansas | $14,400 | $32,400 | $72,000 | $160 | 6.5% |
| Indiana | $14,560 | $32,760 | $72,800 | $95 | 7.0% |
| Iowa | $14,560 | $32,760 | $72,800 | $50 | 6.0% |
| Michigan | $14,560 | $32,760 | $72,800 | $50 | 6.0% |
| Nebraska | $14,560 | $32,760 | $72,800 | $105 | 5.5% |
| Ohio | $14,560 | $32,760 | $72,800 | $99 | 5.8% |
| Kentucky | $14,720 | $33,120 | $73,600 | $40 | 6.0% |
| Louisiana | $14,720 | $33,120 | $73,600 | $100 | 4.5% |
| Missouri | $14,720 | $33,120 | $73,600 | $50 | 4.2% |
| Tennessee | $14,720 | $33,120 | $73,600 | $300 | 7.0% |
| Texas | $14,720 | $33,120 | $73,600 | $300 | 6.3% |
| Georgia | $15,040 | $33,840 | $75,200 | $100 | 4.0% |
| Illinois | $15,200 | $34,200 | $76,000 | $150 | 6.3% |
| New Mexico | $15,200 | $34,200 | $76,000 | $50 | 5.1% |
| Wisconsin | $15,200 | $34,200 | $76,000 | $130 | 5.0% |
| North Carolina | $15,360 | $34,560 | $76,800 | $125 | 4.8% |
| South Carolina | $15,360 | $34,560 | $76,800 | $110 | 6.0% |
| South Dakota | $15,520 | $34,920 | $77,600 | $150 | 4.5% |
| Minnesota | $15,680 | $35,280 | $78,400 | $155 | 6.9% |
| North Dakota | $15,840 | $35,640 | $79,200 | $135 | 5.0% |
| Wyoming | $16,000 | $36,000 | $80,000 | $100 | 4.0% |
| Nevada | $16,320 | $36,720 | $81,600 | $425 | 6.8% |
| Arizona | $16,480 | $37,080 | $82,400 | $50 | 5.6% |
| Florida | $16,480 | $37,080 | $82,400 | $125 | 6.0% |
| Idaho | $16,480 | $37,080 | $82,400 | $100 | 6.0% |
| Pennsylvania | $16,480 | $37,080 | $82,400 | $125 | 6.0% |
| Delaware | $16,640 | $37,440 | $83,200 | $110 | 0.0% |
| Virginia | $16,640 | $37,440 | $83,200 | $100 | 4.3% |
| Colorado | $16,960 | $38,160 | $84,800 | $50 | 2.9% |
| Montana | $16,960 | $38,160 | $84,800 | $70 | 0.0% |
| Utah | $16,960 | $38,160 | $84,800 | $54 | 4.8% |
| Oregon | $17,920 | $40,320 | $89,600 | $100 | 0.0% |
| Vermont | $17,920 | $40,320 | $89,600 | $125 | 6.0% |
| Maine | $18,240 | $41,040 | $91,200 | $175 | 5.5% |
| Rhode Island | $18,560 | $41,760 | $92,800 | $150 | 7.0% |
| New Hampshire | $18,720 | $42,120 | $93,600 | $102 | 0.0% |
| Washington | $18,880 | $42,480 | $94,400 | $200 | 6.5% |
| Connecticut | $19,040 | $42,840 | $95,200 | $120 | 6.3% |
| New Jersey | $20,000 | $45,000 | $100,000 | $125 | 6.6% |
| Alaska | $20,320 | $45,720 | $101,600 | $250 | 0.0% |
| Maryland | $20,640 | $46,440 | $103,200 | $100 | 6.0% |
| California | $21,600 | $48,600 | $108,000 | $70 | 7.3% |
| New York | $22,240 | $50,040 | $111,200 | $200 | 4.0% |
| Massachusetts | $24,000 | $54,000 | $120,000 | $500 | 6.3% |
| Hawaii | $30,880 | $69,480 | $154,400 | $50 | 4.0% |
Cheapest & Most Expensive States
5 Cheapest States
- Mississippi$30,600
- West Virginia$30,960
- Alabama$31,680
- Arkansas$32,040
- Oklahoma$32,040
5 Most Expensive States
- Hawaii$69,480
- Massachusetts$54,000
- New York$50,040
- California$48,600
- Maryland$46,440
Frequently Asked Questions
Starting a freight brokerage requires $20,000–$45,000, including the $75,000 surety bond ($700–$1,500/year premium), FMCSA authority filing ($300), TMS software ($500–$2,000/year), load board subscriptions ($300–$600/year), and working capital ($10,000–$25,000) for the carrier payment gap.
Freight brokers earn the spread between what shippers pay and what carriers accept. On a $2,000 load where the broker pays a carrier $1,700, the broker earns $300 (15% margin). High-volume brokers move hundreds of loads monthly; 100 loads/month at $250 average margin = $25,000/month gross revenue.
Yes — FMCSA freight broker authority (MC number) is required to legally broker freight for compensation. The application costs $300 and requires a $75,000 surety bond or trust fund. Authority typically takes 21 days to activate. Operating without authority is illegal and can result in significant fines.
Cold calling is the primary prospecting method — call 20–50 companies per day when starting. Target manufacturers, distributors, and retailers who ship regularly. LinkedIn outreach to logistics and supply chain managers works well. Cold email sequences convert at 1–3%. Once you have 3-5 active accounts, referrals grow the business.