Truck Dispatcher Rates 2025: What You Should Expect to Pay

What a “Real” Dispatcher Should Do

Dispatch isn’t just clicking “book.” The service has value when it protects your time, reduces risk, improves documentation, and keeps revenue consistent.

Operations & communication

  • Book loads and negotiate with lane reality (not fantasy numbers)
  • Handle broker/shipper/receiver calls and schedule updates
  • Manage rate cons, instructions, changes, and “surprise” constraints
  • Keep you compliant on appointment windows and check-calls

Revenue protection & paperwork

  • Vet brokers and avoid sketchy payment patterns
  • Get accessorial approvals in writing before you roll
  • Recover detention, layover, TONU (with clean documentation)
  • Maintain a paper trail: confirmations, emails, and receipts
Quick filter: if they can’t clearly explain who they communicate with, how they document approvals, and how they avoid risky brokers — it’s not “dispatch,” it’s gambling.

Most Common Dispatch Pricing Models

These are the most typical pricing structures you’ll see. Actual rates vary by equipment type, lanes, volume, broker mix, and how hands-on the service is.

1) Percentage-Based

Most common. Often tied to support level and operational complexity.

  • Usually 5%–10% (sometimes more for high-risk ops)
  • Ask: linehaul-only vs total gross
  • Best when they actively negotiate + document accessorials

2) Flat Weekly Fee

Common for dedicated-ish lanes or predictable operations.

  • Often $300–$650/wk per truck (varies)
  • Ask about load minimums and support boundaries
  • Best for stable lanes + consistent cadence

3) Hybrid (Base + Performance)

Growing: a base fee plus a smaller percentage.

  • Base fee covers consistent workload
  • Performance % aligns incentives
  • Best when goals + documentation are explicit

1) Percentage-Based (Most Common)

In 2026, many dispatch companies charge a percentage of revenue. You’ll typically see 5%–10% depending on how “hands-on” the service is.

5%–6% Multi-truck fleets / consistent volume Often volume-based or limited-scope support.
7%–8% Common for owner-operators and small fleets Negotiation + proactive communication + basic accessorial awareness.
9%–10% New authority / hotshot / higher-risk ops More hands-on support, tougher negotiations, more troubleshooting.
Ask this Linehaul only or total gross? Confirm in writing how FSC/accessorials are treated.

What “reasonable” should include

  • Negotiation (not just booking)
  • Broker vetting and risk screening
  • Document trail: emails/approvals/confirmations
  • Accessorial recovery workflow (detention/layover/TONU)

Pricing questions to ask

  • What counts as “gross” (linehaul vs total)?
  • Any minimum weekly revenue requirement?
  • Do you charge set-up fees or upfront fees?
  • How do you handle chargebacks / disputes?

2) Flat Weekly Fee

Flat-rate dispatching is common for dedicated lanes or stable operations. Typical pricing is often $300–$650/week per truck (varies by support level).

Best fit

  • Dedicated/consistent lanes
  • Predictable weekly cadence
  • Clear operating preferences (regions, home time)
  • You want consistent cost budgeting

What to confirm in writing

  • How many loads per week they support
  • Whether negotiation is included
  • Paperwork support boundaries (RCs, invoices, accessorials)
  • After-hours coverage and check-call expectations
Watch for: “Flat fee” that excludes key work (paperwork, accessorial recovery, broker vetting) often becomes expensive later.

3) Hybrid (Base + Performance)

Hybrids are growing: a base fee plus a smaller performance percentage. This can align incentives when goals and boundaries are clear.

Example Base + small % A steady base covers workload, small % rewards performance.
Best when KPIs are defined RPM targets, weekly gross targets, documentation standards.
Confirm What’s included Negotiation, broker vetting, accessorial recovery, paperwork.
Avoid Vague promises “Guaranteed $5/mile” with no constraints is a red flag.

Why hybrids can work

  • Stabilizes cost while rewarding performance
  • Encourages proactive negotiation
  • Better fit for growth-oriented carriers

Where hybrids go wrong

  • No written scope (who does what)
  • No documentation standards
  • Performance % applied to unclear “gross” definition

Typical Price vs What’s Reasonable to Expect

This is a practical expectation table — not a promise. Your lanes, equipment, volume, and broker mix change what’s “normal.”

Typical PriceWhat’s Reasonable to ExpectGood Fit For
4%–6%
Usually volume-based or limited-scope support
Solid load booking + basic negotiation. Often best for fleets with strong ops already in place.Multi-truck fleets, consistent freight, clear preferences.
7%–8%
Common for owner-operators and small fleets
Negotiation + proactive communication + basic accessorial awareness. Should include broker risk screening.Owner-ops and small fleets needing consistent support.
9%–10%
New authorities, hotshot, complex ops
Heavier support: onboarding guidance, tougher negotiations, more troubleshooting. You should see documentation and availability.New MCs, niche equipment, higher complexity lanes.
$300–$650/wk
Flat fee (often for dedicated/stable lanes)
Predictable cost, good for steady operations. Should include communication management and basic paperwork flow.Dedicated freight, predictable weekly cadence.
Important: Ask whether pricing is on linehaul only or includes fuel surcharge + accessorials. Confirm that in writing before you sign.

Scam Dispatchers & “Facebook Dispatch” Patterns

Not every dispatcher is a scam — but in 2026, if they don’t understand trucking, don’t have a real process, and won’t document anything, you’re taking serious risk.

Red flags that should stop you immediately

No written Dispatch Service Agreement If they won’t put terms in writing, you’re unprotected.
Upfront money demanded before any dispatch work High scam correlation; legitimate services document scope first.
They can’t explain who communicates with brokers/receivers “Just text me the load” is not a professional process.
“Guaranteed $5/mile” with no constraints No lane, season, equipment, or deadhead reality = marketing bait.
No broker vetting / no paper trail No email confirmations, no approvals in writing = chargebacks & disputes.

High-risk overseas / “Facebook-only” patterns

  • They only communicate via WhatsApp/FB messenger (no professional email trail)
  • They push sketchy brokers or weird rate cons with mismatched info
  • They won’t show proof of process: approvals, confirmations, accessorial documentation
  • They discourage you from calling the broker/shipper for verification
  • They pressure you to “just sign it” or “we handle it” with no visibility
Simple rule: If you can’t audit the paper trail (emails, approvals, confirmations), you’re the one holding the risk.

Dispatch Rates FAQs

Is 5% dispatch “too cheap”?

Not automatically — but at low percentages you must confirm what’s included. If there’s no negotiation, no broker vetting, and no documentation, you may be paying less up front but more later in problems.

Should the percentage include fuel surcharge?

It depends. Some charge on linehaul only, others on total gross. The key is to define it clearly in writing — and understand how accessorials are treated.

What’s the #1 scam sign?

No written agreement + pressure for upfront money + no paper trail. Legitimate operations document scope and maintain confirmations in writing.

What should I require before I sign with a dispatcher?

Written scope, clear pricing definition (linehaul vs gross), communication method (email trail), broker vetting process, and how accessorials are handled.

Want help from a U.S.-based team? Explore Truck Dispatch Services or contact us.

Want Dispatch Support That Holds Up Under Audit?

If you want real negotiation, broker vetting, documentation discipline, and consistent communication — talk to Freight Girlz.

No hype. Clean process. Paper trail first.