Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents vs. Retail Salespersons: Who Earns More?
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents out-earn Retail Salespersons by $43K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents land at $78,660 and Retail Salespersons at $35,410. The education gap is real: securities, commodities, and financial services sales agent programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while retail salesperson programs require no formal educational credential. Top-paying state for Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents is New York ($168,340); for Retail Salespersons it's Washington ($39,560).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents or Retail Salespersons?
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents earn more nationally. The median is $78,660 for Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents versus $35,410 for Retail Salespersons, a difference of $43K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents or Retail Salespersons?
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents has the better 10-year outlook at 3.3% projected growth, compared to -0.5% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents or Retail Salespersons?
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Retail Salespersons requires no formal educational credential. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents get paid the most?
New York is the top-paying state for Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents at $168,340/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents vs. Retail Salespersons pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In New York, Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents earn $168,340 vs. $37,720 for Retail Salespersons. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.