Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents
Also called: 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.
Also called: Account Administrator, Account Manager, Account Specialist, Bank and Savings Securities Trader, Banker, Banker Associate
Median pay
$78,660
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$48,040 – $212,880
People employed
489,570
Holland code
ECS
Enterprising · Conventional · Social
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you want a job with little physical risk?
- 2.Do you enjoy serving customers or the public?
- 3.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
- 4.Are you comfortable sitting at a desk most of the day?
- 5.Are you happy talking and working with people most of the day?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (47 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents salary in every state →
What securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents do
- 01Make bids or offers to buy or sell securities.
- 02Monitor markets or positions.
- 03Agree on buying or selling prices at optimal levels for clients.
- 04Keep accurate records of transactions.
- 05Buy or sell stocks, bonds, commodity futures, foreign currencies, or other securities on behalf of investment dealers.
- 06Complete sales order tickets and submit for processing of client-requested transactions.
Skills that matter most
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service
- Economics and Accounting
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Sales and Marketing
Work styles that stand out
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Intellectual Curiosity
- Achievement Orientation
- Social Orientation
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a bachelor's degree (O*NET Job Zone 4).
- Related work experience: over 2 years, up to and including 4 years.
- On-the-job training: over 3 months, up to and including 6 months.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents
- Personal Financial Advisors96% · +34%
- Loan Officers93% · −3%
- Investment Fund Managers90% · group pay
- Financial Managers89% · +112%
- Credit Analysts87% · +6%
Change into securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Loan Officers93% · $76,690
- Investment Fund Managers92% · $166,570
- Insurance Underwriters91% · $81,370
- Credit Counselors88% · $52,230
- Online Merchants88% · $83,050
Majors that lead here
- Financial Planning and Services
- Investments and Securities
- Business and Personal/Financial Services Marketing Operations
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.