Ask any trucking company employee, and they’ll tell you there’s an entire network of people working behind the scenes to make sure deliveries arrive where they need to be and when they’re supposed to be there. Truck dispatchers are an important part of this transportation logistics chain. As the main point of contact connecting drivers, customers, and suppliers, dispatchers have to make sure a lot of different things go right so that everyone can do their job.

Interested in becoming one of the 38,000 dispatchers in the trucking industry? We’ll walk you through what truck dispatchers do every day, the training and skills they need to succeed in their role, and how to become a truck dispatcher.

What Does a Truck Dispatcher Do?

Truck dispatchers are hired by trucking or freight companies to coordinate shipping operations. The primary function of a truck dispatcher is to keep schedules running smoothly, but there’s much to be done to make sure all goes well. Dispatchers can expect to do some of the following tasks every day:

• Communicate with truck drivers, suppliers, and customers to schedule deliveries and provide status updates as needed.
• Coordinate pick-up and drop-off logistics to ensure cargo is transported safely and on time.
• Map efficient and cost-effective transit routes for drivers.
• Maintain and update relevant customer, supplier, and driver information.
• Organize all documentation relating to transactions, orders, billing history, and other essential record-keeping items.

Many truck dispatchers work on-site at a company’s central office or satellite offices, though some dispatching roles might offer a hybrid work schedule or 100% remote work. The good news is that since every part of the country relies on trucking transportation, anyone interested in being a truck dispatcher has a good chance of finding the job and work arrangement that works best for them.

Where you live can also impact your pay as well. The average salary range for a truck dispatcher in the U.S. is $42,000–$54,000, but actual pay can vary by location, company, and number of hours worked per week.

Steps to Becoming a Truck Dispatcher

One of the most interesting aspects of working in a trucking-related job is that people with all types of personal, professional, and educational backgrounds find that their past experience — even if it’s outside of trucking or transportation — can help them thrive in the industry. Truck dispatching is one of those roles where individuals with different combinations of work skills, past experience, and self motivation can find success.

Education is a good place to start. Most truck dispatching positions list a high school diploma or GED as a basic educational requirement. Although an associate’s or bachelor’s degree isn’t typically required, certain fields of study could be beneficial to your future as a dispatcher, including the following:

• Business management
• Logistics
• Communications
• Accounting
• Supply chain management

The additional courses you take to earn these degrees help to broaden your skill set and can improve your chances for higher pay or more opportunities within the company.

Two- and four-year degrees aren’t the only way to boost your hiring and earning potential. Completing a truck dispatcher training course can strengthen your application and boost your confidence in interviews. Check with local trucking companies or community colleges for guidance on finding accredited courses, or search for online programs. The National Dispatch and Freight Certification Association (NDFCA) offers certification courses that can help you further your career as a truck dispatcher.

On-the-job experience also improves your chances of being hired as a truck dispatcher. Any job where you learn more about trucking operations or transportation can help you qualify for a dispatcher job. Many industries rely on trucking or transportation in some capacity, so you might already be a great hire and not even know it! Jobs in shipping, receiving, or any logistics-focused role offer great experience for future truck dispatchers.

Qualities and Skills of Successful Truck Dispatchers

Certain skills separate good truck dispatchers from great dispatchers. Focus on improving the following qualities to set yourself apart when applying for truck dispatcher jobs.

Communication skills

Dispatchers spend a majority of their day communicating. Between drivers, suppliers, customers, and other in-office personnel, truck dispatchers must be able to communicate clearly and professionally with everyone they interact with. This can be challenging when dealing with a variety of personalities or if something goes wrong with a delivery, but a great truck dispatcher understands the importance of good customer support. Effective communication — whether it’s via phone, email, or some other channel — is essential in this role.

Problem-solving skills

Managing a fleet of trucks criss-crossing the region or country comes with the potential for problems to arise. Dispatchers must be able to handle issues and find solutions while maintaining their composure and communicating with everyone involved. Truck drivers in particular rely on dispatchers to keep them posted on any sudden changes or problems, so the more you can plan ahead with backup plans, the more equipped you’ll be to jump into action.

Computer skills

Just like other organizations, trucking companies use different software programs to connect and manage various parts of their operations. Truck dispatchers should have at least a basic understanding of computers and be ready to learn programs for scheduling drivers, mapping routes, and monitoring shipments.

Organizational skills

Truck dispatchers have a lot to manage and will often have to use their communication, problem-solving, and computer skills simultaneously. Multitasking is inevitable in this type of role, so it’s important for truck dispatchers to be highly organized in every aspect of their job, including recording and filing documents, maintaining accurate records, sharing information, providing updates, and reporting shipment statuses.

Other helpful skills

Truck drivers have to abide by several state and federal laws that regulate how far or long they can drive and where. While you’ll receive training for the job, studying some of the basic regulations (like Hours of Service) beforehand can give you a better understanding of how to approach scheduling before getting started in the role.

Start Your New Career With Pride

Truck dispatchers, office staff, truck drivers, maintenance professionals — every member of Pride Transport plays a vital role in our success. Our group of professionals is committed to transporting goods safely, securely, and on-time while operating as a team. Learn more about our non-driver jobs as well as Pride driving careers today!