Details Report for:
41-3031.03 - Securities and Commodities Traders
Buy and sell securities and commodities to transfer debt, capital, or risk. Establish and negotiate unit prices and terms of sale.
This title represents an occupation for which data collection is currently underway.
Tasks | Interests | Work Values | Education | Wages & Employment | Additional Information
Tasks Save Table (XLS/CSV)
- Agree on buying or selling prices at optimal levels for clients.
- Buy or sell stocks, bonds, commodity futures, foreign currencies, or other securities at stock exchanges on behalf of investment dealers.
- Make bids and offers to buy or sell securities.
- Analyze target companies and investment opportunities to inform investment decisions.
- Develop and maintain supplier and customer relationships.
- Devise trading, option and hedge strategies.
- Identify opportunities and develop channels for purchase or sale of securities or commodities.
- Inform other traders, managers, or customers of market conditions, including volume, price, competition, and dynamics.
- Monitor markets and positions.
- Process paperwork for special orders, including margin and option purchases.
- Receive sales order tickets and inspect forms to determine accuracy of information.
- Report all positions or trading results.
- Review securities transactions to ensure conformance to regulations.
- Track and analyze factors that affect price movement, such as trade policies, weather conditions, political developments, and supply-and-demand changes.
- Write and sign sales order confirmation forms to record and approve security transactions.
- Audit accounts and correct errors.
- Make transportation arrangements for sold or purchased commodities.
- Prepare financial reports, such as reviews of portfolio positions.
- Reconcile account-related statements, such as quarterly and annual statements and confirmations.
- Report deficiencies in account payments, securities deliveries, or documentation requirements to avoid rule violations.
- Supervise support staff and ensure proper execution of contracts.
Interests Save Table (XLS/CSV)
 Occupational Interest |
Interest |
|
|---|---|---|
95   |
Enterprising — Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business. | |
| 61 |
Conventional — Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow. | |
| 22 |
Social — Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others. | |
| 6 |
Investigative — Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally. | |
| 0 |
Artistic — Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules. | |
| 0 |
Realistic — Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others. | |
Work Values Save Table (XLS/CSV)
Extent |
Work Value |
|
|---|---|---|
| 72 |
Achievement — Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement. | |
| 72 |
Independence — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employs to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy. | |
| 70 |
Working Conditions — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions. | |
| 67 |
Recognition — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status. | |
| 56 |
Relationships — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service. | |
| 56 |
Support — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical. | |
Education
Education data collected from Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents.
Percentage of Respondents |
Education Level Attained |
|---|---|
| 67 |
Bachelor's degree or higher |
| 23 |
Some college |
| 10 |
High school or less |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
survey of employees aged 25-44.
Wages & Employment Trends
National
Median wages data collected from Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents.
Employment data collected from Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents.
Industry data collected from Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents.
| Median wages (2008) | $33.02 hourly, $68,680 annual |
| Employment (2008) | 317,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2008-2018) | 
Average (7% to 13%)
|
| Projected job openings (2008-2018) | 126,800 |
| Top industries (2008) | Finance and Insurance (80% employed in this sector)
Self-Employed (15%)
|
State & National
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2008 wage data
and 2008-2018 employment projections
.
"Projected growth" represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2008-2018). "Projected job openings" represent openings due to growth and replacement.
Sources of Additional Information
Disclaimer: Sources are listed to provide additional information on related jobs, specialties, and/or industries. Links to non-DOL Internet sites are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement.
- Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents
. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition.