Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents

41-3031.00 Zone 4 — Considerable Preparation Needed

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 known as: Account Administrator, Account Manager, Account Specialist, Bank and Savings Securities Trader, Banker, Banker Associate, Block Trader, Bond Broker, ...

Annual Salary

$78,140

Median annual wage (May 2024)

$51,600 25th – 75th percentile $129,480
10th percentile $47,080
90th percentile $215,210
U.S. Employment: 472,300

Job Outlook

+3.3%

Projected growth, 2024–2034 (About average)

Annual Job Openings 38,100 per year (avg. 2024–2034)
Typical education: Bachelor's degree
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training

What You'd Do

  • 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.
  • Discuss financial options with clients and keep them informed about transactions.
  • Determine customers' financial services needs and prepare proposals to sell services that address these needs.

Top Skills

Active Listening 3.8
Critical Thinking 3.8
Judgment and Decision Making 3.6
Monitoring 3.6
Reading Comprehension 3.5
Speaking 3.5
Active Learning 3.5
Persuasion 3.5

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Knowledge Areas

Customer and Personal Service 4.3
Economics and Accounting 3.9
English Language 3.8
Mathematics 3.7
Sales and Marketing 3.7
Computers and Electronics 3.5
Administration and Management 3.4
Law and Government 3.1

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation by education level

Bachelor's
55.3%
High School
26.8%
Post-Bacc Cert
6%
Some College
5.8%
Master's
3.8%
Associate's
1.1%
Certificate
1.1%

Technology & Tools

Software and tools commonly used in this role

In-Demand Technologies

C++ Linux Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft SharePoint Microsoft Visual Basic Microsoft Windows Microsoft Word Oracle Java Oracle PeopleSoft Python R Salesforce software SAP software The MathWorks MATLAB UNIX

Other Tools

ADP/Vantra VOLTS AIQ Systems TradingExpert Pro AnalyzerXL Aspen Graphics Technical Analysis Software Bloomberg Professional BondDesk Group Trader WorkStation CableSoft LiveWire Trader Calypso Technology Calypso Asset Management Charles River Development Charles River Investment Management System Citi The Yield Book Calculator CQG Integrated Client

Work Styles

Personality traits and work styles important for this career

2.9
Integrity
2.7
Attention to Detail
2.6
Dependability
2.5
Social Orientation
2.5
Stress Tolerance
2.4
Self-Confidence
2.4
Achievement Orientation

Key Abilities

Cognitive, physical, and sensory abilities important for this role

Oral Comprehension 4.1
Oral Expression 3.9
Deductive Reasoning 3.8
Written Comprehension 3.6
Speech Clarity 3.6
Written Expression 3.5
Problem Sensitivity 3.5
Speech Recognition 3.5

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Activities

General types of job behaviors occurring on this job

Working with Computers 4.4
Getting Information 4.3
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships 4.2
Processing Information 4.1
Making Decisions and Solving Problems 4.1
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge 4.0
Communicating with People Outside the Organization 4.0
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards 4.0

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Environment

Physical and social factors that influence the nature of work

E-Mail
5.0
Telephone Conversations
4.9
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
4.7
Contact With Others
4.7
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
4.6
Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
4.4
Freedom to Make Decisions
4.3
Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results
4.3
Frequency of Decision Making
4.3
Deal With External Customers or the Public in General
4.3
Spend Time Sitting
4.3
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
4.2

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Salary data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Outlook data: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034.

This page includes information from the O*NET 30.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.