Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Identifying problems, considering possible solutions, and choosing appropriate actions.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
How to Become a Securities, Commodities, or Financial Services Sales Agent Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents should have strong analytical skills. 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.
Education
Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents typically need a bachelor’s degree to enter the occupation. A common field of degree is business, which usually includes coursework in topics such as finance, accounting, and economics. Internships often provide useful experience, and employers may prefer to hire candidates who have worked as interns. Some employers require or prefer that candidates have an MBA.
Training
Employers usually provide on-the-job training to workers after they are hired. For example, some workers may receive technical instruction in securities analysis and selling strategies. Firms may rotate their trainees among various departments to give them a broad understanding of the business. Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents also must keep up with new products and services and other developments.
Licenses, Certifications & Registrations
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) is the main licensing organization for the securities industry. A license is generally required to sell financial products or services, which may apply to some positions. Because most of the licenses require sponsorship by an employer, companies do not expect individuals to have these licenses before starting a job. Employers often recommend certification, which may improve the chances for advancement. Information on certifications is available from CareerOneStop.
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Pay
the median annual wage for all workers was $50,980.
Job Outlook
Job Outlook Employment of securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035. Despite limited employment growth, about 35,100 openings for securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. Employment Services that investment bankers provide, such as helping with initial public offerings and mergers and acquisitions, will continue to be in demand as the economy grows. The United States remains an international financial center, meaning that the economic growth of countries around the world will contribute to employment growth in the U.S. financial industry. An aging population and the decline of traditional pensions may boost demand for these workers, as individuals approaching retirement seek brokers to facilitate securities purchases. However, automated trading systems have reduced demand for securities traders. Because simpler stock purchases can be made online without a broker, financial firms will focus on hiring sales agents with specialized areas of expertise and strong customer-service skills. Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents Percent change in employment, projected 2025–35 Total, all occupations 3% Sales representatives, services 2% Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents 1% Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
What They Do
What Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents Do
Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents connect buyers and sellers in financial markets. They sell securities or commodities to clients, advise companies in search of investors, and conduct trades.
Duties
Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents typically do the following:
- Contact prospective clients to present information and explain available services
- Advise clients about investments and market conditions
- Buy and sell securities, such as stocks and bonds
- Buy and sell commodities, such as corn, oil, and gold
- Monitor financial markets and the performance of individual securities
- Analyze company finances to provide recommendations for public offerings, mergers, and acquisitions
- Evaluate cost and revenue of agreements
Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents deal with a wide range of products and clients. Agents spend much of the day interacting with people, whether selling stock to an individual or discussing the status of a merger deal with a company executive.
The following are examples of types of securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents:
Brokers execute buy and sell orders for clients. They may advise customers about stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or commodities.
Finding clients is a large part of a broker’s job. They often must create their own client base by calling from a list of potential clients. Some agents network by joining social groups, and others may rely on referrals from satisfied clients.
Investment bankers connect businesses that need money to finance their operations or expansion plans with investors who are interested in providing that funding.
Some of the services that investment bankers provide are assistance with initial public offerings (IPOs) and mergers and acquisitions. For IPOs, investment bankers must estimate how much the company is worth and ensure that it meets the legal requirements to become publicly traded. For mergers and acquisitions, investment bankers provide advice throughout the process to ensure that the transaction goes smoothly.
Securities and commodities traders carry out buy and sell orders for stocks, bonds, and commodities from clients and make trades on behalf of the firm itself. Investment banks primarily employ these workers, although some work for commercial banks, hedge funds, and private equity groups.
Work Environment
Work Environment
Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents held about 531,000 jobs in 2025. The largest employers of securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents were as follows:
| Credit intermediation and related activities | 54% |
| Securities, commodity contracts, and other financial investments and related activities | 33 |
| Self-employed workers | 6 |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 2 |
| Insurance carriers and related activities | 2 |
Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents work many hours under stressful conditions. The pace of work is fast, and managers are usually demanding of their workers, because both commissions and advancements are tied to sales.
Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents typically work in an office setting. Travel may be required for those who work with companies located in other parts of the United States or internationally.
Work Schedules
Most securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Work schedules may vary and can include evenings and weekends to accommodate clients or to meet deadlines.
Important Qualities
The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. For more information, visit the Employment Projections (EP) skills data page. Analytical skills. Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents use statistical techniques and logical thinking to closely examine the profitability of potential deals or trades. Customer-service skills. Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents respond to client inquiries or concerns and make clients feel comfortable with the agent’s recommendations. Decision-making skills. Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents use their judgment to evaluate sales and investment options and advise clients on the best course of action. Detail oriented. Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents ensure complete accuracy in their financial and statistical models, research, and presentation materials for clients. Initiative. Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents actively seek out new clients to increase business. Math skills. Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents need to be familiar with investment formulas, valuation techniques, and forecasting models.
More Information
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.