What Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents this way: "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 core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "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".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is bachelor's degree. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is moderate-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 531,000 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 538,500 in 2035, an increase of 7,500 jobs (+1.4%). That is slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 35,100 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 6.6% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. 6.0% of workers in this occupation are self-employed; the wage figures below cover wage and salary workers. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $78,660, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents earn the most
Across the 20 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $59,285 in Georgia to $160,897 in New York, a gap of $101,611 (2.71 times). 7 of those 20 states average above the BLS national median of $78,660 and 13 average at or below it.
New Jersey employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 72,100, which is 13.9% of the 519,900 counted across them. New York follows with 64,380.
Highest-paying states
New York ($160,897), New Jersey ($152,268) and New Hampshire ($99,831) lead the ranking, while Georgia ($59,285) and West Virginia ($62,793) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents: pay against the cost of living
We compare 25 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Bergen County, NJ (New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ) at $85,856. The smallest margin is $16,962 in District of Columbia, DC.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 25 of the 25 markets. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 18.5% and 52.0% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (41-3000) include Advertising Sales Agents, Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel and Insurance Sales Agents.
Frequently asked questions about Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents
How much do Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $78,660. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $59,285 to $160,897.
Which state pays Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents the most?
New York, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $160,897. New Jersey is next at $152,268.
Is Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to grow by 1.4% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 35,100 openings a year.
What education do Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents need?
The typical entry-level education is bachelor's degree and moderate-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.
Where can Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Bergen County, NJ leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $85,856 on a median wage of $167,890.