Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents
SOC code 41-3031 · O*NET-SOC 41-3031.00 · Considerable preparation needed · Sales
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$78,660
a year
Hourly
$37.82
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$109,150
$52.48 per hour
Middle 50%
$56,540 – $129,950
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$48,040 – $212,880
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
489,570
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $48,040
- $23.10/hr
- 25th percentile
- $56,540
- $27.18/hr
- Median percentile
- $78,660
- $37.82/hr
- 75th percentile
- $129,950
- $62.48/hr
- 90th percentile
- $212,880
- $102.35/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+3%
Growing about as fast as average
514,500
jobs in 2024
531,600
projected for 2034
About 17,100 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What do securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents do?
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 tasks that matter most day to day
- 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.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold bachelor's degree — 55% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 4 — Considerable preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Bachelor's Degree55%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)27%
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate6%
- Some College Courses6%
Common questions
How much does a securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents earn?
The national median is $78,660 a year. The full range runs from $48,040 at the 10th percentile to $212,880 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 4, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Is securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 3% between 2024 and 2034 — growing about as fast as average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening3.8/5
- Critical Thinking3.8/5
- Monitoring3.6/5
- Reading Comprehension3.5/5
- Speaking3.5/5
- Active Learning3.5/5
- Writing3.4/5
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service4.3/5
- Economics and Accounting3.9/5
- English Language3.8/5
- Mathematics3.7/5
- Sales and Marketing3.7/5
- Computers and Electronics3.5/5
- Administration and Management3.4/5
- Law and Government3.1/5
Transferable strengths: Judgment and Decision Making, Persuasion, Social Perceptiveness.