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Sales

Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents

Buy and sell securities or commodities in investment and trading firms, or provide financial services to businesses and individuals. May advise customers about stocks, bonds, mutual funds, commodities, and market conditions.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents
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Median pay

$78,140
Median annual pay for Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

3.3%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

38,100
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

514,500
Estimated U.S. employment for Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

+17,100
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

Bachelor's degree
Typical additional preparation: Moderate-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Active Listening
  2. 2Critical Thinking
  3. 3Monitoring
  4. 4Active Learning
  5. 5Reading Comprehension
  6. 6Speaking

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Customer and Personal Service
  2. 2Economics and Accounting
  3. 3English Language
  4. 4Mathematics
  5. 5Sales and Marketing
  6. 6Computers and Electronics

Abilities

  1. 1Oral Comprehension
  2. 2Oral Expression
  3. 3Deductive Reasoning
  4. 4Speech Clarity
  5. 5Written Comprehension
  6. 6Problem Sensitivity

Career interests

  1. 1Enterprising
  2. 2Conventional
  3. 3Social
  4. 4Investigative
  5. 5Artistic
  6. 6Realistic

Work styles

  1. 1Integrity
  2. 2Attention to Detail
  3. 3Dependability
  4. 4Social Orientation
  5. 5Stress Tolerance
  6. 6Self-Confidence

Work activities

  1. 1Working with Computers
  2. 2Getting Information
  3. 3Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
  4. 4Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  5. 5Processing Information
  6. 6Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Work context

  1. 1E-Mail
  2. 2Telephone Conversations
  3. 3Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  4. 4Contact With Others
  5. 5Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
  6. 6Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals

Representative tasks

  • Make bids or offers to buy or sell securities.
  • Monitor markets or positions.
  • Agree on buying or selling prices at optimal levels for clients.
  • Keep accurate records of transactions.
  • Buy or sell stocks, bonds, commodity futures, foreign currencies, or other securities on behalf of investment dealers.
  • Complete sales order tickets and submit for processing of client-requested transactions.
  • Report all positions or trading results.
  • Interview clients to determine clients' assets, liabilities, cash flow, insurance coverage, tax status, or financial objectives.

Software and tools

Microsoft Office software · in demandMicrosoft Excel · in demandMicrosoft SharePoint · hot technologyMicrosoft Visual Basic · hot technologyMicrosoft Windows · hot technologyMicrosoft Access · hot technologyLinux · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technologyOracle Java · hot technologyOracle PeopleSoft · hot technologyPython · hot technologyR · hot technology

The short answer

Buy and sell securities or commodities in investment and trading firms, or provide financial services to businesses and individuals. May advise customers about stocks, bonds, mutual funds, commodities, and market conditions.

The measurable national baseline is $78,140 median annual pay, 3.3% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034, and 38,100 projected openings per year. Use these figures as a national benchmark rather than a personal forecast; location, experience, employer, specialty, credentials, and hours can change individual outcomes.

Pay and the size of the opportunity

The national median-pay figure for Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents is $78,140. Current employment is 514,500, with projected 2034 employment of 531,600. Pay describes the middle worker nationally, not a guaranteed starting salary, and the employment totals describe the occupation's scale rather than the number of jobs available to one applicant.

Demand, growth, and annual openings

BLS projects 3.3% employment growth for Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents from 2024 to 2034 and about 38,100 openings per year. Growth measures whether the occupation is expanding, while annual openings also include replacement needs created when workers retire, change occupations, or leave the labor force.

Education and preparation

The typical BLS entry-education category is Bachelor's degree. Related work experience is None, and the listed on-the-job training category is Moderate-term on-the-job training. These categories summarize a national pathway; licensing, certification, portfolios, apprenticeships, or local employer requirements may add to it.

What the work involves

Buy and sell securities or commodities in investment and trading firms, or provide financial services to businesses and individuals. May advise customers about stocks, bonds, mutual funds, commodities, and market conditions.

A representative O*NET task is: Make bids or offers to buy or sell securities. The broader activity profile emphasizes Working with Computers, Getting Information, Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships.

Skills, knowledge, and tools

The strongest available O*NET skill signals are Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Monitoring. Leading knowledge areas are Customer and Personal Service, Economics and Accounting, English Language. These are national occupational signals, so a specific employer may emphasize a different mix. Examples of software or tools associated with the occupation include Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft SharePoint, Microsoft Visual Basic.

Common questions

What is the median pay for Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents?

The national median annual pay in the current dataset is $78,140. Actual pay varies by location, experience, employer, specialty, credentials, and hours.

Is demand growing for Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents?

BLS projects 3.3% employment growth from 2024 to 2034 and about 38,100 openings per year. Openings include both newly created positions and replacement demand.

What education is needed for Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents?

The typical BLS entry-education category is Bachelor's degree. Related experience, on-the-job training, licensing, or certification requirements may also apply.

What does Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents involve?

Buy and sell securities or commodities in investment and trading firms, or provide financial services to businesses and individuals. May advise customers about stocks, bonds, mutual funds, commodities, and market conditions.

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

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