22 Best truck dispatcher jobs (Hiring Now!) (2023)

FAQs

Is there a demand for truck dispatchers? ›

Becoming a truck dispatcher is a good opportunity if you are looking to enter the trucking industry. Truck dispatchers are in high demand, and they have good pay as well.

Salary Ranges for Trucking Dispatchers

The salaries of Trucking Dispatchers in the US range from $10,050 to $236,852 , with a median salary of $42,806 . The middle 57% of Trucking Dispatchers makes between $42,806 and $107,015, with the top 86% making $236,852.

As of Mar 7, 2023, the average weekly pay for a Truck Dispatcher in the United States is $919 a week. While ZipRecruiter is seeing weekly wages as high as $1,385 and as low as $433, the majority of Truck Dispatcher wages currently range between $663 (25th percentile) to $942 (75th percentile) across the United States.

The American Trucking Association projects that freight volume will increase by 36% through 2031. Foreign trade has increased demand, with trucking still the primary method of transporting goods. Drivers and dispatchers will continue to be needed to meet the growing need.

At times, dispatchers are managing between 30 and 50 drivers and trying to keep everyone happy and on track. That is the main reason many trucking companies use dispatch software specifically designed for trucking businesses. This way, they can track everything related to dispatch in one convenient place.

Flat-bed loads are good-paying loads because they're usually heavier or larger cargo, and the driver often has to help secure and cover the load. Dangerous goods, such as fuel, chemicals, or other unstable cargo, are better-paying as well.

Is it hard to be a dispatcher? Truck dispatching requires a high-level of organization, focus, attention to detail, and patience. Dispatchers constantly manage a high volume of requests — somewhat like an air traffic controller of the trucking world. It can be a stressful and challenging position.

Sometimes Dispatching is Hard

The job isn't physically demanding, but it can be emotionally and mentally taxing. Some days are worse than others. These are the reasons why specific training deals with some of the more distressing aspects of the job.

What percentage does truck dispatching take? ›

Dispatchers are paid a commission by the carrier for finding them their loads. This commission can range, but usually sits between 5-10% of the pay rate for that load. Here's a basic example.

Being an Emergency Dispatcher is difficult for a multitude of reasons. Firstly, the job is incredibly intense and stressful; at any moment you could answer the phone to a panicked caller and alter the course of their lives depending on your actions.

How much does a truck dispatcher make? According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national median salary for a truck dispatcher is $46,810 . These salaries may depend on factors such as location, employer, the type of trucking for which they're completing dispatching duties and other factors.

Dispatching Jobs are Difficult to Get

To qualify to apply for a 911 dispatcher job, you must meet a number of requirements. These include: High school diploma/GED or higher education depending on the service. Speak excellent and clear English and be able to write it as well.

Dispatchers typically get paid a percentage of your earnings off of each load they find. Some dispatchers charge a flat rate (for example, $50 per load), but most higher quality dispatch services will charge an average of 5-10 percent for each load.

This allows them to help make educated decisions about how they respond to the call and what equipment they take with them. We also need to know if you're going to be at, or near, the scene when we arrive because the police may need to talk to you, or you may need to point out the exact location.

Aside from the basic dispatching skills, dispatchers should have the ability to handle multiple calls and tasks, communicate effectively, manage their time, and use good judgment. Additionally, the ability to listen, absorb information, and have empathy for callers is crucial for this job."

73.2% of all 911 emergency dispatchers are women, while 26.8% are men. The average age of an employed 911 emergency dispatcher is 39 years old.

What is the turn over rate for dispatchers? ›

The National Emergency Number Association reports a 15-20% employee turnover rate at emergency centers nationally.

The most common degree for dispatchers is high school diploma 33% of dispatchers earn that degree. A close second is bachelor's degree with 27% and rounding it off is associate degree with 24%.

This job is a full-time position, and truck dispatchers are often on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They should be ready to step in to provide solutions when necessary, including when drivers fall ill or get injured.

Dispatchers find new loads using dispatching load boards. The best dispatchers will pour through load boards and work with freight brokers to source the most valuable loads for their clients. Load boards for dispatchers help identify the best set of loads that may be available for hauling in any given location.

Dry Van And Refrigerated Freight

Most rookies start out hauling a dry van or refrigerated freight because they are the most common types of freight available and they require little in the way of specialized training.

As of Dec 12, 2022, the average annual pay for an Amazon Owner Operator Truck Driver in the United States is $192,938 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $92.76 an hour. This is the equivalent of $3,710/week or $16,078/month.

How long does a truck dispatcher course take? Truck dispatcher training ranges from online courses that last a few days to a full associate's degree that can take two years to complete. Choose the best option for you based on cost, time, your previous experience, and your current skills.

What are the cons of being a dispatcher? ›

Additionally, the work is physically taxing, and dispatchers often experience back pain and eyestrain as a result of sitting and looking at computer screens for hours on end. The biggest hazard of the job, however, might be the emotional stress.

Many 911 operator positions require candidates to achieve approximately 40 - 45 words per minute on a typing test with very high accuracy. You can practice for your typing test for free. To prepare, you will want to practice typing for at least 5 minutes.

Public Safety Dispatchers are required to work holidays and weekends, as well as evening, night, and early morning shifts. Dispatchers work 12-hour shifts. One week you will work three 12-hour shifts; the next week you will work three 12-hour shifts and one 8-hour shift.

Flatbed Freight Rates – February 21, 2023

National average flatbed rates are currently $2.71 per mile, $. 04 lower than the January average. The Midwest has the highest average flatbed rates at $3.11 per mile; the lowest rates are in the West, with an average of $2.41 per mile.

According to the latest data from the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI), the average cost of trucking in 2021 was $1.855 per mile.

Flatbed drivers are some of the most in-demand drivers in the trucking industry today.

Today, retailers have too much inventory and consumer demand has dropped due to inflation and renewed spending on services. The result is weakening demand for truck capacity and falling trucking rates.

Truck dispatchers make $52,793 per year on average, or $25.38 per hour, in the United States. The average salary for a truck dispatcher in 2023 is anywhere between $46,000 to $60,000 per year or $22 to $29 per hour. The truck dispatcher salaries are subject to be higher or lower depending on your individual case.

Is it better to be a truck dispatcher or broker? ›

Dispatchers represent the best interests of the cargo carrier but freight brokers work to grow their own business. The freight broker's profit comes from the difference between the negotiated freight rate and the price that the shipper pays.

According to the BLS, the highest average salary for emergency dispatchers in nonmetropolitan areas is $62,440, while the highest paid average salary in metropolitan areas is significantly higher, at $96,230.

In most places across the United States, dispatchers are classified as clerical and/or administrative staff. This classification gives dispatchers a much lower pay than first responders.

It is not unusual for 911 operators to suffer from duty-related traumatic stress. Dispatchers have been found to be at risk for post-traumatic stress disorder just as much as their colleagues in the police or fire department.

The truck dispatcher almost always earns money, since their services are either paid in advance or receive a percentage of the booked transportation fare. But unlike other parties involved in transportation, the dispatcher does not need to invest a lot to start a dispatching business.

Is it hard to be a dispatcher? Truck dispatching requires a high-level of organization, focus, attention to detail, and patience. Dispatchers constantly manage a high volume of requests — somewhat like an air traffic controller of the trucking world. It can be a stressful and challenging position.

How much does a Truck Dispatcher make in California? The average Truck Dispatcher salary in California is $59,129 as of February 27, 2023, but the range typically falls between $50,780 and $69,341.

At times, dispatchers are managing between 30 and 50 drivers and trying to keep everyone happy and on track. That is the main reason many trucking companies use dispatch software specifically designed for trucking businesses. This way, they can track everything related to dispatch in one convenient place.

To start a dispatch business, one needs to have a reasonable amount of capital. A large sum is needed to purchase the delivery vans or cargo bikes. A good cargo bike can be purchased with at least ₦360,000 so depending on how large you want to operate your business, at least one bike should be purchased.

Dispatchers are paid a commission by the carrier for finding them their loads. This commission can range, but usually sits between 5-10% of the pay rate for that load.

What is the difference between a truck dispatcher and a freight dispatcher? ›

A freight broker connects shippers with carriers while dispatchers work for the carrier. Dispatchers are unregulated but freight brokers must have insurance and a license to operate.