Skip to content

Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents

Sales and Related (41-3031)

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.

At a Glance

Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents earns a median of $78,140/yr with +3.3% projected growth. Typical entry: Bachelor's degree. Top skills: Intellectual Curiosity, Attention to Detail, Achievement Orientation.

Median Annual Wage

$78,140/yr

Projected Growth (2024-34)

+3.3%

Annual Openings

38

Typical Education

Bachelor's degree

Skills & Requirements

Skills (13)

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

3.8
Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

3.8
Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

3.6
Judgment and Decision Making

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

3.6
Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

3.5
Persuasion

Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.

3.5
Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

3.5
Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

3.5
Social Perceptiveness

Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

3.4
Complex Problem Solving

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

3.4
Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

3.4
Service Orientation

Actively looking for ways to help people.

3.3
Systems Analysis

Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.

3.3

Knowledge (7)

Customer and Personal Service

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

4.3
Economics and Accounting

Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.

3.9
English Language

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

3.8
Sales and Marketing

Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

3.7
Mathematics

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

3.7
Computers and Electronics

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

3.5
Administration and Management

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

3.4

Abilities (14)

Oral Comprehension

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

4.1
Oral Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

3.9
Deductive Reasoning

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

3.8
Speech Clarity

The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

3.6
Written Comprehension

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

3.6
Problem Sensitivity

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

3.5
Written Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

3.5
Speech Recognition

The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

3.5
Near Vision

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

3.4
Inductive Reasoning

The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

3.4
Information Ordering

The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

3.4
Mathematical Reasoning

The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.

3.3
Fluency of Ideas

The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).

3.3
Category Flexibility

The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.

3.3

Technology (19)

R

Category: Object or component oriented development software | Hot Technology

4.5
Python

Category: Object or component oriented development software | Hot Technology

4.5
Oracle PeopleSoft

Category: Enterprise resource planning ERP software | Hot Technology

4.5
Oracle Java

Category: Object or component oriented development software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft Word

Category: Word processing software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft Windows

Category: Operating system software | Hot Technology

4.5
The MathWorks MATLAB

Category: Analytical or scientific software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft SharePoint

Category: Document management software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft PowerPoint

Category: Presentation software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Outlook

Category: Electronic mail software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Office software

Category: Office suite software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Excel

Category: Spreadsheet software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Access

Category: Data base user interface and query software | Hot Technology

4.5
Linux

Category: Operating system software | Hot Technology

4.5
C

Category: Development environment software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft Visual Basic

Category: Development environment software | Hot Technology

4.5
UNIX

Category: Operating system software | Hot Technology

4.5
SAP software

Category: Enterprise resource planning ERP software | Hot Technology

4.5
Salesforce software

Category: Customer relationship management CRM software | Hot Technology

4.5

Work Activities (18)

Working with Computers

Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

4.4
Getting Information

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

4.3
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships

Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

4.2
Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

4.1
Processing Information

Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

4.1
Communicating with People Outside the Organization

Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

4.0
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards

Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

4.0
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

4.0
Analyzing Data or Information

Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

3.9
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work

Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

3.9
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

3.9
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others

Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

3.8
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

3.7
Selling or Influencing Others

Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

3.7
Documenting/Recording Information

Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

3.6
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public

Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

3.5
Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People

Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

3.4
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others

Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

3.3

Work Styles (6)

Intellectual Curiosity

A tendency to seek out and acquire new work-related knowledge and obtain a deep understanding of work-related subjects.

5.0
Attention to Detail

A tendency to be detail-oriented, organized, and thorough in completing work.

5.0
Achievement Orientation

A tendency to establish and maintain personally challenging work-related goals, set high work-related standards, and exert high effort toward meeting those goals and standards.

5.0
Integrity

A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.

5.0
Social Orientation

A tendency to seek out, enjoy, and be energized by social interaction at work.

4.3
Stress Tolerance

A tendency to cope and function effectively in stressful situations at work.

3.6

Careers with Overlapping Skills

These occupations share the most skills. A career transition between them means many of your skills transfer directly.

Explore Key Skills

Frequently Asked Questions

Want to build these skills?

Sign up to find courses that teach these skills, track your progress, and build a skills passport aligned to Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents.

Get Started Free