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If you’re quick on your feet and enjoy a fast-paced work environment, you may enjoy a career as a stockbroker.
Stockbrokerage is more than just market analysis—in fact, it can be a fairly social and exciting job. Most firms require applicants to have a bachelor’s degree and pass a few qualification exams. This guide explores how to become a stockbroker, including education, licensure and career data.
What Do Stockbrokers Do?
Stockbrokers buy and sell stocks at the direction of their clients. Being a stockbroker requires sales and social skills since these professionals are responsible for building and advising their own client base. Some clients may not be familiar with the market, so it’s up to the broker to assess the situation and explain their recommendations simply.
Role and Responsibilities
The stock market changes constantly. Brokers monitor day-to-day changes, follow economic trends, understand their clients’ portfolios and make adjustments to increase profit. This career is fast-paced, with a lot of money on the line.
How to Become a Stockbroker
Most stockbrokers must earn a degree and licensure before they can practice. Read on to learn more.
Stockbroker Education Requirements
If you want to become a stockbroker, the first step is to earn a college degree. A bachelor’s degree is required for most entry-level positions, and it’s especially helpful to major in something business-related. These classes provide an overview of the industry and can help hone your skills in finance and economics.
To get a feel for the job—and to boost your resume—consider getting a summer internship. You’ll get hands-on experience and make connections that can help in your job search.
Pass the Necessary Exams
With your bachelor’s degree in hand, it’s time to get licensed. Stockbrokers must register with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). FINRA is a not-for-profit organization that’s been authorized by Congress to regulate brokerage firms and stockbrokers—more than 624,000 individuals.
To become a registered securities professional, you’ll need to pass two exams. You can take the Securities Industry Essentials® exam before landing a job. This test covers basic information about the securities industry, such as regulatory agencies, best practices and the structure of the market as a whole.
Next, you must pass a qualification exam. This test requires association with a FINRA-registered firm. The Series 7 exam—which specifically serves general securities representatives—covers the details of your chosen field.
Most states also require brokers to pass the Series 63, or the Uniform Securities State Law Examination. This test is administered by the North American Securities Administrators Association but facilitated through FINRA. It focuses on state-specific laws and regulations.
Certification isn’t a one-time deal, though. FINRA requires license-holders to maintain their certifications through annual continuing education programs. This includes online training about regulations, ethics and compliance, as well as training programs from your firm.
Consider Graduate Education
Stockbrokers advance in their careers by gaining more clients, and completing a master’s program also helps. Earning an MBA can demonstrate that you have the finance and communication skills necessary for a leadership position in the industry.
Changes in the Brokerage Industry
Technology has altered the brokerage industry in recent decades. Most trades are made online, rather than auction-style on the trading room floor.
In 2017, there were 205 floor brokers from 125 firms on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) floor—already a significant decrease from the NYSE’s heyday. Now, there are just 21 firms on the directory. The NYSE has physically decreased its space, and more stockbrokers are allowed to work from home.
Who Uses Stockbrokers?
Online discount brokers like Charles Schwab and Robinhood allow individuals to invest with few or no fees. Many investors use these robo-advisors in lieu of human brokers.
However, individuals and companies who have large sums of money to invest still work with stockbrokers to make personalized decisions. In turn, stockbrokers receive a commission off the trade.
What Skills Does a Stockbroker Need?
Above all, stockbrokers must know how to keep calm under pressure. Given the volatility of the market, these professionals need to analyze all available information quickly, while thinking through all potential risks. They should know how to make decisions they can defend to their clients.
Stockbrokers benefit from math and computer skills. They use computer programming and investment formulas to analyze various situations.
The social aspect of this job is just as important. When starting out, stockbrokers make cold calls to convince potential clients to trust them with their money. Brokers must be confident and persuasive, and they should be able to distill their analyses and recommendations for their clients. Stockbrokers who excel at this can build a larger client base through referrals.
How Much Does a Stockbroker Make?
Stockbrokerage can be a lucrative career. Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents—which includes stockbrokers—earned a median annual wage of $67,480 in May 2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). In contrast, the median salary for all occupations nationwide was $46,310.
There’s significant earning potential for stockbrokers at the top. The top 10% of these workers earned more than $189,620, according to the BLS.
New brokers typically earn a salary while they learn the field and build their client base. As their accounts grow, commissions make up a larger portion of brokers’ income. Full-service brokers can charge a commission of 1% to 2% of their clients’ managed assets.
Career Outlook for Stockbrokers
As online trading becomes easier and more popular, there’s less need for humans to facilitate trades. Instead, an online brokerage firm may look to hire sales agents who have financial expertise and customer service experience to help advise online investors.
That said, the BLS projects a 7% growth in positions for securities, commodities and financial services sales agents between 2022 and 2032—twice as fast as the projected growth for all occupations nationwide. And as people leave the industry or retire, the BLS projects 40,100 jobs to open up each year for these professionals.
As the U.S. population ages—and fewer people have pensions to rely on—retirees may seek out individualized advice from stockbrokers, the BLS says.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Stockbrokers
Is stockbroker a good career?
Stockbrokerage entails dealing with large sums of money, making the work stressful and fast-paced. Since their clients work during the day, brokers may be expected to advise clients on evenings and weekends. However, the U.S. continues to be an economic hub, meaning there will be demand for stockbrokers, and top earners can make over $189,000 per year.
Do stockbrokers make good money?
Stockbrokers earn more than the average American. In May 2022, securities agents earned a median annual wage of $67,480. Larger client bases and more successful trades lead to higher earnings.
How much do beginner stockbrokers make?
When starting out, new stockbrokers are paid a salary. As they gain more clients and move up the ranks, they may take a lower salary in favor of higher commissions. Stockbrokers with one to four years of experience earn around $60,000 per year on average, according to Payscale.
Do you need a degree to be a stockbroker?
Most firms require applicants to have a bachelor’s degree. There isn’t a specific major requirement, but a degree in business is especially helpful. Earning a master’s degree can be helpful for advancement, but it’s not necessary.
