The Freight Brokerage Dilemma: Are Truckers Getting Their Fair Share?

In the world of logistics, freight brokers play a crucial role. They connect shippers who need to move goods with carriers who can deliver them. On paper, it’s a win–win arrangement: brokers keep the freight moving, shippers save time, and truckers get loads. But when you peel back the layers, a question often arises—are truck drivers really getting their fair share of the pie, or are they carrying the weight while brokers take the lion’s cut?

What Freight Brokers Actually Do

Freight brokers aren’t just middlemen for the sake of being middlemen. They handle the coordination between shippers and carriers, negotiate contracts, and manage paperwork like bills of lading, insurance, and payment terms. For small trucking companies or owner-operators who don’t have time to cold-call shippers, a broker can seem like a lifeline.

They also assume some risks. If a shipper doesn’t pay on time, the broker may still be responsible for paying the carrier. They invest in compliance systems, staff, and sometimes even provide quick-pay options to carriers. In short, they grease the wheels of the supply chain.

But here’s where the dilemma begins: if brokers are meant to create efficiency, why do so many truckers feel they’re being underpaid while brokers walk away with higher margins?

The Transparency Issue

One of the biggest sticking points is transparency. Most truck drivers don’t see the rate a broker charges the shipper. They only see what they’re being paid to haul the load. For example, if a shipper pays $3,000 for a load, a broker might keep $1,200 and pass $1,800 to the carrier. That’s a 40% cut—much higher than the 10%–20% margin that many consider fair.

Truckers often argue that if they knew what the load truly paid, they could negotiate better or choose loads that make sense for their fuel, maintenance, and time costs. Without transparency, drivers feel like they’re working blind.

Rising Costs vs. Static Payouts

The cost of running a truck has surged in recent years—diesel prices, maintenance, insurance premiums, and compliance fees are all rising. Yet many carriers report that brokered rates haven’t kept pace. A driver who nets $1.70 per mile while paying $1.50 per mile in expenses is left with pennies.

This imbalance fuels frustration. Drivers are the ones out on the road, away from families, shouldering the risks of accidents, breakdowns, and unpredictable weather. But often, they feel they’re treated as disposable contractors in a system that doesn’t value their sacrifices.

Are Brokers Taking Too Much?

It’s not all black and white. Some brokers genuinely take only a modest fee and aim to build long-term partnerships with carriers. They understand that if truckers go out of business, the supply chain collapses. Others, however, chase quick profits, undercutting drivers to pad their margins.

The problem is the lack of an industry-wide standard. Unlike some countries that regulate brokerage fees, the U.S. has very loose oversight. This leaves room for bad actors who exploit market swings, especially during economic downturns when truckers are desperate for freight.

Possible Solutions to the Dilemma

So, what can be done to strike a fair balance? A few solutions are often discussed:

1. Greater Transparency

Regulations could require brokers to disclose what shippers are paying. Some drivers argue this would level the playing field and discourage unfair markups.

2. Technology Platforms

Load boards and digital freight marketplaces are creating more direct connections between shippers and carriers. Over time, this could reduce reliance on brokers, or at least pressure them to charge fairer rates.

3. Stronger Carrier–Broker Partnerships

Brokers who treat carriers as partners, not pawns, tend to retain loyal drivers. Carriers, in turn, benefit from consistent loads and better rates. Trust and long-term relationships can solve more problems than regulation ever will.

4. Driver Education

Carriers who understand how to negotiate, calculate true cost per mile, and identify profitable lanes are less likely to feel trapped. Knowledge shifts some of the power back into the trucker’s hands.

Final Thoughts

The freight brokerage dilemma isn’t about eliminating brokers—it’s about fairness. Brokers do provide real value, but when their cut outweighs the driver’s effort and risk, resentment builds. Truck drivers are the backbone of the economy. Without them, groceries don’t reach stores, medicine doesn’t reach hospitals, and manufacturing grinds to a halt.

The question is not whether brokers deserve a piece of the pie, but whether they should be allowed to take the biggest slice while drivers are left with crumbs. As the industry evolves, more transparency, smarter technology, and better partnerships could finally give truckers the fair share they’ve long deserved.