Mid-Level

Registered Representative

The licensed securities professional — selling investments and advising clients on financial decisions.

Career Level
Junior
Mid
Senior
Director
VP
Executive
Work Personality
E
C
S
I
A
R
Enterprisingleading, persuading
Conventionalorganizing, detail-oriented
Based on Holland Code framework
Job markets for Registered Representatives
Employment concentration · ~367 areas
Based on employment in related occupations
Mapped SOC categories:
BLS Occupational Employment Statistics
What it's like

What it's like to be a Registered Representative

As a Registered Representative, you hold securities licenses (typically Series 7 and 66 or 63/65) that allow you to sell investments and provide financial advice. You might work for a broker-dealer, bank, or independent firm, helping clients invest in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and other securities.

Your day involves prospecting for new clients, meeting with existing clients to review portfolios, making investment recommendations, executing transactions, and staying compliant with securities regulations. The balance between sales and advice depends on your firm and compensation structure.

The hardest part is balancing client interests with business realities. You're typically compensated based on transactions or assets, which can create conflicts. Compliance requirements are extensive and constantly evolving. Building a book of business takes time, and client acquisition can be challenging. The people who thrive here genuinely care about client outcomes while understanding the business necessities.

AchievementAbove avg
Working ConditionsAbove avg
IndependenceAbove avg
RelationshipsModerate
RecognitionModerate
SupportModerate
O*NET Work Values survey
StrategyExecution
StructuredAdaptable
ManagingContributing
CollaborativeIndependent
Firm typeCompensation modelClient segmentProduct scopeIndependence level
Registered representative roles vary significantly by firm. Wirehouses provide infrastructure and brand but less flexibility; independents offer more autonomy but require more self-direction. Compensation models range from commission to fee-based to salary plus bonus. Client segments from mass market to high-net-worth create different experiences.
✦ Editorial — written by Truest from industry research and career patterns
Career Paths

Where this role sits in the broader career landscape — and where it can take you.

$239K$179K$119K$60K$0KLower paying387 metro areas, sorted by salary level
All experience levels1
This level's estimated range
INDUSTRIES PAYING ABOVE AVERAGE
1 BLS OEWS May 2024 covers all Registered Representatives (SOC 41-3031.00), not just this title · BEA RPP 2023
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.
Exploring the Registered Representative career path? Truest helps you figure out if it's the right fit — and plan your path forward.
Explore career tools
1
Financial planning
Holistic advice differentiates from pure sales
2
Client relationship management
Long-term relationships drive sustainable business
3
Regulatory navigation
Compliance is non-negotiable in securities
What is the compensation structure?
What client segment does the firm focus on?
What products and services can I offer?
What training and development is available?
What compliance support is provided?
✦ Editorial — career progression and interview guidance based on industry patterns
The Broader Landscape

Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.

$47K–$215K
Salary Range
10th – 90th percentile
472K
U.S. Employment
+3.3%
10yr Growth
38K
Annual Openings

How this category is changing

$64K$61K$58K$55K$52K201920202021202220232024$52K$64K
BLS OEWS May 2024 · BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034

Skills & Requirements

Critical ThinkingActive ListeningJudgment and Decision MakingMonitoringPersuasionReading ComprehensionSpeakingActive LearningComplex Problem SolvingSocial Perceptiveness
O*NET OnLine · Bureau of Labor Statistics
41-3031.00

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Federal data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024) · BLS Employment Projections · O*NET OnLine
Truest editorial: Fit check, role profile, things that vary, advancement analysis, lateral moves, interview questions.