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

FAQs

Are truck dispatchers in high demand? ›

Dispatchers play an essential role as well, and they're in high demand.

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.

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.

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 .

If an applicant's score is 40 or below, his/her performance is considered “below average” when compared to other applicants who have taken the test. If an applicant's score is 60 or above, his/her performance is considered “above average” when compared to other applicants who have taken the test.

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.

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.

If you do not give your location when you call into Emergency Medical Services, EMS will rely on the wireless location provided by the carrier as a better-than-nothing way to track your phone.

Freight dispatchers represent carriers during freight negotiations to help you book the right loads. Freight dispatchers are third parties who represent the carrier in freight negotiations. They work with shippers and brokers on your behalf to find the best-paying loads that match your preferred lanes and equipment.

Is Dispatcher a stressful job? ›

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.

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.

There can be many benefits that come with being a 911 operator; great pay, creditable health insurance, and unique experiences. However, long work hours, burnout, and health issues are some potential downsides.

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.

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.

What is a good typing speed for a dispatcher? ›

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.

The Dispatcher test is considered a hard exam since it simulates the challenging tasks of actual 911 dispatchers. Also, since most candidates take the exam without any prior dispatch experience, they're often overwhelmed by its unique sections, such as multitasking, call summarization, and more.

Truck dispatchers act as the traffic controller of the trucking industry. The job of a truck dispatcher can be stressful at times, as it requires a lot of attention, focus, and patience. They must have strong interpersonal skills to simultaneously communicate with drivers, brokers, and customers.

How do dispatchers find loads? Freight dispatchers usually work with brokers or scout load boards to find freight. However, many dispatchers also represent shippers directly to book loads for you.

Depending on your position, you may work a call center that handles calls for a variety of emergencies, or you may work at a location that handles calls for one agency, such as the police or the fire department. In small towns, you may simply work alone in the department building.

Receiving emergency and non-emergency calls and record significant information. Addressing problems and requests by transmitting information or providing solutions. Receiving and dispatching orders for products or deliveries.

What should I do if I accidentally dial 911? If you dial 911 by mistake, or if a child in your home dials 911 when no emergency exists, do not hang up – that could make 911 officials think that an emergency exists, and possibly send responders to your location. Instead, simply explain to the call-taker what happened.

However, if someone is monitoring your phone there are common signs you can look out for. These include an increase in data usage, suspicious files and applications, strange text messages, and unusual or malfunctioning device behavior such as your device overheating.

What stops a phone from being tracked? ›

Turn off location settings on Android:

Enter “Google Location Settings.” Turn off “Location Reporting” and “Location History.” You can also select “Delete Location History” to remove all previous tracking data.

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.

Proficiency in office software, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook Express. Ability to monitor drivers' logs, truck maintenance schedules, and repairs. Knowledge of applicable transportation regulations and laws. Excellent organizational, communication, and time management skills.

Why do dispatchers ask so many questions? Dispatchers ask for pertinent information first – address, type of call, name of caller or those involved, and your call back number. Once the initial information is obtained, additional questions may be asked depending on the type of call.

Dispatchers generally work rotating 8 or 10 hour shifts. Day shift begins at 6am, swing shift at 2pm and graveyard at 10pm. As scheduling allows cover shifts starting at various times may also be offered. Employees must be able to accommodate a rotating work schedule.

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. That can add up fast — especially if you're a smaller operation.

The trucking industry is in an upswing, and dispatchers are the backbone of the industry. A good dispatcher will always be in high demand so long as there are truckers delivering freight from one location to another.

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.

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

Is there good money in dispatching? ›

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.

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.

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.

Dry van trucking is the easiest type of trucking job to get. What is this? For one thing, the turnover rate is very high, leaving a revolving door of open jobs. It's also not uncommon for mega carriers to have thousands of these in their fleets.

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.

Dispatch fees means any amount charged by a taxicab broker to a taxicab owner to receive orders for taxicab service from the taxicab broker; Sample 1Sample 2Sample 3.

The average pay for a Dispatcher can greatly vary according to location and experience. A Dispatcher can expect a wage between $26,560 to $67,680 based on the level of seniority. Dispatchers will most likely earn wages of fourty-four thousand eight hundred and sixty dollars yearly.