Market Research Analyst
Median wage · national
$78,760
Range: $58K – $108K
Employed
900K
Openings/yr
87K
Typically: bachelor's degree
BUSINESS
Securities Sales Agents
Securities Sales Agents earn $78,660 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $56,540 and $129,950. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
About Securities 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.
- Median Wage
- $78,660
- Employed Nationally
- 490K
- Openings / Year
- 38,100
- Entry Education
- Bachelor's degree
- Job Zone
- Zone 4: Considerable Preparation
Also known as:
Account Administrator
Account Manager
Account Specialist
Bank and Savings Securities Trader
Banker
How Much Do Securities Sales Agents Make?
Securities Sales Agents earn $78,660 nationally, above the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $56,540 and $129,950. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
$78,660
National Median (Annual)
Above the national median for college graduates.
$57K–$130K
Middle 50% Range
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
Earnings Range
$56,540
Entry-level
$78,660
Median
$129,950
Experienced
The mean wage for this occupation is $109,150, above the median. A concentration of very high earners pulls the average up. The median is the better gauge of typical pay.
What Do Securities Sales Agents Do?
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Securities Sales Agents roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
What You'll 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.
Core Skills Employers Look For
Critical Thinking
Active Listening
Judgment and Decision Making
Monitoring
Persuasion
Who Thrives Here
E
Enterprising
Leadership, influence, and business acumen are rewarded here, where managing teams, driving decisions, or persuading others shapes career outcomes.
C
Conventional
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
S
Social
Working closely with people, teaching, advising, or helping others navigate challenges is a defining feature of this career's daily work.
Where Do Securities Sales Agents Work?
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Work Setting
Mixed
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Physical Demands
Light
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Stress Level
Moderate
Moderate pressure. Regular deadlines exist but are generally manageable with experience.
What Is the Job Outlook for Securities Sales Agents?
The BLS projects +3.3% employment change for Securities Sales Agents through 2034, below the national average of +5%. About 38,100 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
↗ +3.3%
10-Year Growth (2024–2034)
About as fast as average.
38,100
Annual Openings
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
490K
Currently Employed
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
Where the Jobs Are
The five states below employ the most Securities Sales Agents professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $78,660 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | 60,430 | $167,040 | +112.4% |
| 2 | California | 54,170 | $79,140 | +0.6% |
| 3 | Florida | 45,570 | $60,430 | -23.2% |
| 4 | Texas | 39,900 | $74,250 | -5.6% |
| 5 | Illinois | 25,290 | $82,130 | +4.4% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
How to Get Here
Most Securities Sales Agents positions require a bachelor's degree to qualify. The 2 programs below are the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
Typical Entry Education
Bachelor's degree
Job Zone
Zone 4: Considerable Preparation
These positions typically require a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience before advancing into senior roles.
Degree Programs That Lead Here
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Finance | 58,013 | $83,343 | 949 |
| 2 | Specialized Sales | 4,322 | $59,631 | 190 |
Top Colleges for Aspiring Securities Sales Agents
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CUNY Bernard M Baruch College New York, NY | 93 | $3,033 | $75,971 |
| 2 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL | 93 | $6,541 | $71,588 |
| 3 | University of Chicago Chicago, IL | 91 | $14,860 | $91,885 |
| 4 | Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN | 90 | $15,846 | $91,565 |
| 5 | University of Central Florida Orlando, FL | 90 | $10,411 | $58,308 |
| 6 | Florida State University Tallahassee, FL | 90 | $11,297 | $61,675 |
Plan Your Path
Once you've sized up Securities Sales Agents, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if the degree that leads to Securities Sales Agents pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Securities Sales Agents Pros & Cons
The data on Securities Sales Agents shows 3 measurable strengths and 2 real trade-offs. All points are drawn from BLS wage data, employment projections, and IPEDS program completions.
PROS
- Above-average pay At $78,660 median annually, this career pays meaningfully more than most college-graduate roles. Financial return on education is typically strong.
- High earning ceiling Top earners (75th percentile) reach $129,950 annually. Strong performers, specialists, and those in high-cost markets have significant upside beyond the median.
- Wide job market 490K professionals are employed in this field, large enough to offer geographic flexibility and multiple entry paths.
CONS
- Multi-year ramp before career-level pay This is a Job Zone 4 occupation, these positions typically require a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience before advancing into senior roles. Most workers in this field spend their first several years at entry-level pay well below the $78,660 median while building the experience employers require.
- Entry-level pay well below the national median The 25th percentile wage of $56,540 is considerably below the $78,660 median. Early-career workers typically spend 5 or more years building toward typical pay. Factor this into any program ROI calculation.
Securities Sales Agents Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Securities Sales Agents professionals earn?
The national median annual wage for Securities Sales Agents is $78,660, above the national median for full-time workers. The middle 50% of earners fall between $56,540 and $129,950. Pay varies by employer size, industry sector, specialization, and geography. National figures are a starting point, not a guarantee.
Is Securities Sales Agents a good career?
For people genuinely interested in the work, yes. At $78,660 median, with +3.3% projected growth through 2034, there is a real financial case and a stable market for new entrants. Compare program net price against local salary outcomes (not just the national median) before committing.
How long does it take to become a Securities Sales Agents?
Expect 4 years of undergraduate education followed by 2 or more years of field experience before most employers consider you qualified for career-level positions. A bachelor's degree is the typical minimum credential. Degree programs like Finance are typical entry paths. Early-career pay during this ramp-up period will be meaningfully below the $78,660 national median. Factor that gap into any program ROI calculation.
What is the job outlook for Securities Sales Agents?
The BLS projects +3.3% employment change for Securities Sales Agents through 2034, about as fast as average compared to all occupations. About 38,100 job openings per year are projected, including new positions and replacements for workers who retire or change careers. 490K people currently work in this occupation nationwide (BLS May 2024).
Why do Securities Sales Agents salaries vary so widely?
The $73,410 gap between the 25th ($56,540) and 75th ($129,950) percentile reflects how much employer type, industry, specialization, and geography affect pay. Entry-level roles and lower-demand markets cluster near the bottom; senior, specialized, or high-cost-metro positions push the top. In fields with this much spread, where you work and what you specialize in often matters more than years of experience.
What skills do Securities Sales Agents professionals need?
O*NET data identifies the core skills employers consistently prioritize for Securities Sales Agents roles: Critical Thinking, Active Listening, Judgment and Decision Making, Monitoring, and Persuasion. These develop through formal education and hands-on work. Programs with internship or co-op requirements give you a meaningful head start on the ones that take time to build.
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