Sales Representatives, Services

How to become a Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agent

Official title: Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents

Also called: Broker, Commodities Broker, Equity Trader, Financial Advisor, Financial Consultant, Investment Representative, Investments Advisor, Investments Specialist, Personal Banker, Trader

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.

Main 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.

How to become one

Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents typically need a bachelor's degree for entry-level jobs. A master's degree in business administration (MBA) may be helpful for advancement.

Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

Apprenticeship: Financial Services Representative.
College: Business & Commerce degrees, Offered by 35 universities in the US
Licence: A licence is required in 21 states.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Median pay: $78,660 a year The middle half earn $56,540 to $129,950.
About 531,000 people work in this job now, and about 538,500 are projected by 2035. (+1.4%)
People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.

Questions people ask

How do I become a Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agent?

How much does a Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agent earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $78,660 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $56,540 to $129,950.

Is a Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agent a growing career in the US?

Employment is projected to stay about the same by 2035: about 531,000 people now and 538,500 later (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agent?

Usually. 73% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agent?

People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.

Sources

Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.