Financial Services Sales Agent Training and Jobs
Schools and Degrees
Many employers of securities and commodities sales agents require applicants to have a college degree in economics, finance, accounting or business. A master's degree is necessary for many high level positions in the securities industry. MBA's are very useful for job seekers in the profession. Many securities firms employ summer interns before their last year of college. New employees are typically provided with on-the-job training. Securities sales agents continually go to training seminars and conferences to stay up-to-date with the latest products and services.
Training and Education
Expect to get a bachelor's degree for this occupation. The share of financial services sales agents with a bachelor's degree or higher is 67%. About 23% of workers got additional education after high school, but did not have to get a college degree. There was no need to go beyond high school for 10% of employees.
Job Overview
Financial services sales agents provide banking, insurance, accounting, tax preparation, securities and other related services. The duties for financial sales agents vary greatly by occupational specialty. Securities sales agents set up trades in stocks, bonds, mutual funds and other forms of financial instruments. They arrange securities trades for individuals and large institutions. Stock brokers sell securities to retail investors and are paid a fee for their service. Investment bankers are sales agents that offer underwriting services. They connect company representatives looking for money to finance their operations with investors that will provide the funding in exchange for debt instruments or equity.
Job Requirements
Financial services sales agents need to be able to deal with stress. Their work environment often becomes fast paced and they usually have to work with demanding managers. Financial services sales agents need good interpersonal and communication skills. They also need to be skilled at analyzing numbers. Having a desire to succeed and being able to work independently are important attributes for the occupation. They also need to be able to handle rejection.
Nature of Work
Financial services sales agents typically work 40 hours a week. They spend a significant portion of their time away from their office having meetings with clients and potential clients. Financial services representatives sometimes go to civic functions in order to meet potential clients. Some financial services agents work exclusively inside banks. Stock brokers and investment advisors typically work over 40 hours a week and they often work in the evenings and weekends to accommodate their clients that work during the day. Many securities sales agents employed by discount or online brokerage companies work in call-center settings. They spend a substantial portion of their time on the telephone with customers taking orders and discussing securities.
Area Job Conditions
Bridgeport (Connecticut), New York (New York), and Nashua (New Hampshire) boast the most financial services sales agents for their size population. Fort Smith (Arkansas), Visalia (California), and Killeen (Texas) have the fewest.
The highest salaries for workers are in and around Bridgeport (Connecticut), San Francisco (California), and Cape Coral (Florida). The lowest-paying areas are Reno (Nevada), Laredo (Texas), and Carson City (Nevada).
Part-Time and Self Employment
It is estimated that 7% of financial services sales agents work less than full time. Self-employment is the choice of 18% of workers.
Career Videos
Financial Services Sales Agents by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)
In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.
Alabama
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | $88,000 | 650 | -41% |
| Huntsville | $98,000 | 110 | -76% |
| Mobile | $81,000 | 170 | -56% |
| Montgomery | $111,000 | 120 | -66% |
| Tuscaloosa | $104,000 | 60 | -68% |
Alaska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage | $85,000 | 130 | -64% |
Arizona
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix | $76,000 | 4,970 | +24% |
| Prescott | $34,000 | 100 | -7% |
| Tucson | $59,000 | 370 | -52% |
| Yuma | $34,000 | 60 | -46% |
Arkansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville | $85,000 | 180 | -60% |
| Little Rock | $127,000 | 440 | -43% |
California
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield | $92,000 | 130 | -77% |
| Chico | $78,000 | 130 | -9% |
| Fresno | $89,000 | 220 | -69% |
| Los Angeles | $112,000 | 7,920 | -14% |
| Merced | 50 | -56% | |
| Modesto | $75,000 | 100 | -70% |
| Napa | $88,000 | 130 | +2% |
| Oakland | $105,000 | 1,720 | -24% |
| Oxnard | $87,000 | 490 | -26% |
| Redding | $61,000 | 100 | -17% |
| Riverside | $72,000 | 840 | -69% |
| Sacramento | $58,000 | 1,740 | -12% |
| Salinas | $83,000 | 250 | -28% |
| San Diego | $87,000 | 2,410 | -19% |
| San Francisco | $140,000 | 4,900 | +117% |
| San Jose | $94,000 | 1,390 | -32% |
| San Luis Obispo | $109,000 | 130 | -33% |
| Santa Ana | $91,000 | 3,040 | -8% |
| Santa Barbara | $105,000 | 210 | -42% |
| Santa Cruz | $95,000 | 140 | -23% |
| Santa Rosa | $103,000 | 240 | -37% |
| Stockton | $79,000 | 190 | -59% |
| Vallejo | $63,000 | 70 | -73% |
| Visalia | $101,000 | 80 | -72% |
| Yuba City | $67,000 | 40 | -46% |
Colorado
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder | $74,000 | 460 | +39% |
| Colorado Springs | $46,000 | 510 | -9% |
| Denver | $66,000 | 4,330 | +53% |
| Fort Collins | 480 | +78% | |
| Grand Junction | $47,000 | 70 | -39% |
| Greeley | 160 | +7% | |
| Pueblo | $77,000 | 40 | -65% |
Connecticut
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport | $168,000 | 5,500 | +474% |
| Danbury | $104,000 | 60 | -57% |
| Hartford | $116,000 | 660 | -49% |
| New Haven | $115,000 | 340 | -44% |
| Norwich | 110 | -58% | |
| Waterbury | $137,000 | 60 | -57% |
Delaware
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington | $114,000 | 1,250 | +72% |
District of Columbia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $95,000 | 2,940 | -47% |
Florida
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Coral | $104,000 | 420 | -1% |
| Deltona | $61,000 | 190 | -43% |
| Fort Lauderdale | $101,000 | 1,470 | -7% |
| Fort Walton Beach | $74,000 | 220 | +40% |
| Gainesville | $64,000 | 70 | -73% |
| Jacksonville | $86,000 | 1,830 | +35% |
| Lakeland | 170 | -59% | |
| Miami | $91,000 | 3,040 | +36% |
| Naples | $100,000 | 380 | +60% |
| Ocala | $63,000 | 50 | -73% |
| Orlando | $81,000 | 980 | -58% |
| Palm Bay | $85,000 | 210 | -51% |
| Panama City | $71,000 | 60 | -57% |
| Pensacola | $72,000 | 160 | -50% |
| Port St Lucie | $86,000 | 310 | +22% |
| Punta Gorda | $92,000 | 40 | -47% |
| Sarasota | $76,000 | 550 | +1% |
| Sebastian | $88,000 | 100 | +7% |
| Tallahassee | $81,000 | 220 | -37% |
| Tampa | $76,000 | 3,120 | +20% |
| West Palm Beach | $102,000 | 1,900 | +62% |
Georgia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athens | $109,000 | 40 | -73% |
| Atlanta | $105,000 | 2,840 | -46% |
| Augusta | $110,000 | 270 | -40% |
| Columbus | $77,000 | 140 | -40% |
| Gainesville | $74,000 | 50 | -65% |
| Macon | $45,000 | 70 | -63% |
| Savannah | $84,000 | 90 | -72% |
Hawaii
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu | $66,000 | 550 | -44% |
Idaho
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise | $77,000 | 340 | -41% |
| Idaho Falls | $37,000 | 30 | -67% |
Illinois
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington | $112,000 | 110 | -24% |
| Champaign | 90 | -58% | |
| Chicago | $98,000 | 16,830 | +96% |
| Decatur | 90 | +1% | |
| Peoria | $86,000 | 120 | -68% |
| Rockford | $82,000 | 230 | -24% |
| Springfield | $81,000 | 260 | +14% |
Indiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson | $104,000 | 80 | +9% |
| Bloomington | $54,000 | 120 | -16% |
| Elkhart | $82,000 | 100 | -56% |
| Evansville | $100,000 | 160 | -57% |
| Fort Wayne | $66,000 | 310 | -31% |
| Gary | $63,000 | 390 | -35% |
| Indianapolis | $91,000 | 2,490 | +22% |
| Kokomo | 30 | -60% | |
| Lafayette | $69,000 | 80 | -49% |
| Muncie | $80,000 | 110 | +23% |
| South Bend | $66,000 | 190 | -31% |
Iowa
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids | $79,000 | 200 | -33% |
| Davenport | $57,000 | 290 | -29% |
| Des Moines | $62,000 | 920 | +25% |
| Dubuque | $100,000 | 60 | -44% |
| Iowa City | $59,000 | 70 | -52% |
| Sioux City | $52,000 | 110 | -26% |
| Waterloo | $80,000 | 120 | -33% |
Kansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawrence | $80,000 | 30 | -65% |
| Topeka | $86,000 | 80 | -66% |
| Wichita | $78,000 | 270 | -58% |
Kentucky
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green | $46,000 | 140 | +25% |
| Elizabethtown | $72,000 | 70 | -19% |
| Lexington | $56,000 | 300 | -44% |
| Louisville | $78,000 | 1,360 | -1% |
Louisiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria | $75,000 | 60 | -54% |
| Baton Rouge | $70,000 | 500 | -40% |
| Houma | $89,000 | 80 | -60% |
| Lafayette | $79,000 | 120 | -61% |
| Lake Charles | $55,000 | 90 | -51% |
| Monroe | $71,000 | 220 | +39% |
| New Orleans | $82,000 | 530 | -56% |
| Shreveport | $59,000 | 150 | -62% |
Maine
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lewiston | $66,000 | 40 | -60% |
| Portland | $126,000 | 440 | 0% |
Maryland
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hagerstown | $90,000 | 40 | -80% |
Massachusetts
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town | $90,000 | 150 | -28% |
| Boston | $102,000 | 7,380 | +86% |
| Lowell | $89,000 | 60 | -77% |
| New Bedford | $62,000 | 40 | -70% |
| Peabody | $80,000 | 130 | -40% |
| Pittsfield | $69,000 | 30 | -51% |
| Springfield | $84,000 | 270 | -59% |
| Worcester | $89,000 | 300 | -46% |
Michigan
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor | $66,000 | 310 | -15% |
| Detroit | $63,000 | 1,160 | -24% |
| Flint | $60,000 | 190 | -32% |
| Grand Rapids | $59,000 | 700 | -17% |
| Holland | 110 | -46% | |
| Lansing | $61,000 | 280 | -36% |
| Muskegon | $99,000 | 50 | -55% |
| Warren | $73,000 | 2,770 | +13% |
Minnesota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth | $88,000 | 200 | -28% |
| Mankato | 80 | -29% | |
| Minneapolis | $92,000 | 5,830 | +44% |
| Rochester | $67,000 | 210 | -3% |
| St Cloud | $80,000 | 120 | -40% |
Mississippi
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hattiesburg | $82,000 | 30 | -74% |
| Jackson | $78,000 | 170 | -70% |
Missouri
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Girardeau | $77,000 | 70 | -20% |
| Columbia | $80,000 | 80 | -52% |
| Jefferson City | $81,000 | 70 | -54% |
| Kansas City | $102,000 | 2,140 | -7% |
| Springfield | $73,000 | 160 | -62% |
| St Joseph | $111,000 | 40 | -60% |
| St Louis | $72,000 | 3,110 | +2% |
Montana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings | $72,000 | 170 | -3% |
| Missoula | $95,000 | 40 | -62% |
Nebraska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln | $99,000 | 250 | -28% |
| Omaha | $68,000 | 630 | -41% |
Nevada
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas | $51,000 | 530 | -73% |
| Reno | $46,000 | 530 | +27% |
New Hampshire
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester | $81,000 | 100 | -54% |
| Nashua | 450 | +52% | |
| Portsmouth | $84,000 | 90 | -22% |
New Jersey
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City | $92,000 | 90 | -71% |
| Camden | $81,000 | 1,030 | -13% |
| Edison | $87,000 | 2,710 | +16% |
| Newark | $103,000 | 3,850 | +69% |
| Trenton | $90,000 | 910 | +81% |
| Vineland | $70,000 | 60 | -51% |
New Mexico
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | $84,000 | 270 | -69% |
| Santa Fe | $123,000 | 110 | -13% |
New York
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | $82,000 | 490 | -52% |
| Binghamton | $110,000 | 120 | -50% |
| Buffalo | $127,000 | 1,030 | -18% |
| Kingston | $80,000 | 70 | -43% |
| Nassau | $90,000 | 2,280 | -21% |
| New York | $128,000 | 40,790 | +243% |
| Poughkeepsie | $75,000 | 140 | -74% |
| Rochester | $101,000 | 540 | -53% |
| Syracuse | $106,000 | 320 | -54% |
North Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville | $103,000 | 190 | -51% |
| Burlington | $52,000 | 40 | -65% |
| Charlotte | $121,000 | 2,260 | +16% |
| Durham | $128,000 | 610 | -1% |
| Fayetteville | $81,000 | 40 | -85% |
| Greensboro | $76,000 | 340 | -57% |
| Greenville | $80,000 | 40 | -71% |
| Hickory | $73,000 | 70 | -78% |
| Raleigh | $84,000 | 650 | -44% |
| Rocky Mount | $112,000 | 50 | -57% |
| Wilmington | $99,000 | 190 | -35% |
| Winston Salem | $100,000 | 330 | -29% |
North Dakota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck | $106,000 | 50 | -62% |
| Fargo | $74,000 | 100 | -62% |
Ohio
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | $66,000 | 600 | -17% |
| Canton | $50,000 | 320 | -12% |
| Cincinnati | $68,000 | 3,110 | +35% |
| Cleveland | $79,000 | 2,760 | +19% |
| Columbus | $68,000 | 1,880 | -10% |
| Dayton | $50,000 | 670 | -22% |
| Lima | $55,000 | 90 | -14% |
| Mansfield | $90,000 | 80 | -23% |
| Sandusky | 50 | -25% | |
| Springfield | $67,000 | 50 | -47% |
| Toledo | $78,000 | 590 | -10% |
| Youngstown | $64,000 | 600 | +20% |
Oklahoma
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City | $96,000 | 510 | -61% |
| Tulsa | $79,000 | 710 | -27% |
Oregon
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bend | $54,000 | 240 | +87% |
| Eugene | $73,000 | 280 | -8% |
| Medford | $80,000 | 150 | -6% |
| Portland | $82,000 | 1,930 | -17% |
| Salem | 160 | -51% |
Pennsylvania
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown | $96,000 | 340 | -56% |
| Altoona | $45,000 | 70 | -43% |
| Erie | $69,000 | 160 | -42% |
| Harrisburg | $69,000 | 370 | -48% |
| Lancaster | $66,000 | 320 | -39% |
| Lebanon | $64,000 | 30 | -66% |
| Philadelphia | $95,000 | 5,250 | +21% |
| Pittsburgh | $81,000 | 2,220 | -15% |
| Reading | $99,000 | 160 | -56% |
| Scranton | $68,000 | 340 | -41% |
| State College | $81,000 | 110 | -14% |
| Williamsport | $69,000 | 40 | -61% |
| York | $101,000 | 190 | -51% |
Rhode Island
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | $98,000 | 630 | -50% |
South Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $81,000 | 350 | -45% |
| Columbia | $108,000 | 300 | -62% |
| Greenville | $84,000 | 250 | -63% |
| Myrtle Beach | $103,000 | 90 | -61% |
| Spartanburg | $73,000 | 90 | -63% |
Tennessee
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga | $70,000 | 140 | -72% |
| Johnson City | $76,000 | 70 | -53% |
| Kingsport | $114,000 | 80 | -69% |
| Knoxville | $80,000 | 290 | -61% |
| Memphis | $111,000 | 790 | -43% |
| Nashville | $72,000 | 960 | -43% |
Texas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abilene | $87,000 | 70 | -45% |
| Amarillo | $99,000 | 120 | -47% |
| Austin | $60,000 | 2,010 | +13% |
| Beaumont | $83,000 | 150 | -57% |
| Brownsville | $62,000 | 60 | -79% |
| College Station | $70,000 | 80 | -59% |
| Corpus Christi | $75,000 | 160 | -59% |
| Dallas | $84,000 | 7,430 | +55% |
| El Paso | $66,000 | 400 | -34% |
| Fort Worth | $63,000 | 2,350 | +20% |
| Houston | $102,000 | 7,970 | +33% |
| Killeen | $82,000 | 60 | -78% |
| Laredo | $64,000 | 50 | -69% |
| Longview | $83,000 | 100 | -50% |
| Lubbock | 400 | +48% | |
| Midland | 70 | -45% | |
| Odessa | $83,000 | 60 | -47% |
| San Antonio | $69,000 | 2,170 | +9% |
| Tyler | 100 | -47% | |
| Victoria | $75,000 | 40 | -58% |
| Waco | $51,000 | 240 | +14% |
Utah
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Logan | $39,000 | 70 | -25% |
| Ogden | $63,000 | 80 | -82% |
| Provo | 50 | -87% | |
| Salt Lake City | $82,000 | 2,220 | +61% |
Vermont
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | $93,000 | 230 | -3% |
Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blacksburg | $79,000 | 40 | -68% |
| Charlottesville | $89,000 | 120 | -34% |
| Harrisonburg | $67,000 | 50 | -56% |
| Lynchburg | $69,000 | 60 | -71% |
| Richmond | $93,000 | 1,430 | +3% |
| Roanoke | $66,000 | 280 | -17% |
| Virginia Beach | $87,000 | 860 | -50% |
Washington
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham | $54,000 | 120 | -21% |
| Bremerton | 40 | -77% | |
| Kennewick | $62,000 | 80 | -62% |
| Mount Vernon | $85,000 | 80 | -8% |
| Olympia | $50,000 | 70 | -66% |
| Seattle | $83,000 | 2,820 | -12% |
| Spokane | $54,000 | 400 | -11% |
| Tacoma | $81,000 | 280 | -52% |
| Yakima | $71,000 | 80 | -54% |
West Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $90,000 | 70 | -78% |
| Huntington | $63,000 | 70 | -71% |
| Parkersburg | 70 | -50% | |
| Wheeling | $69,000 | 90 | -32% |
Wisconsin
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eau Claire | 70 | -54% | |
| Green Bay | $52,000 | 310 | -16% |
| Janesville | $38,000 | 90 | -30% |
| La Crosse | $56,000 | 40 | -73% |
| Madison | $64,000 | 370 | -51% |
| Milwaukee | $83,000 | 2,250 | +19% |
| Oshkosh | $71,000 | 90 | -51% |
| Racine | $63,000 | 50 | -67% |
| Wausau | $41,000 | 70 | -48% |
Wyoming
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casper | $49,000 | 30 | -57% |