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Stock broker vs portfolio manager

The differences between stock brokers and portfolio managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a stock broker, becoming a portfolio manager takes usually requires 6-8 years. Additionally, a portfolio manager has an average salary of $114,671, which is higher than the $59,096 average annual salary of a stock broker.

The top three skills for a stock broker include financial products, client portfolios and securities. The most important skills for a portfolio manager are portfolio management, customer service, and risk management.

Stock broker vs portfolio manager overview

Stock BrokerPortfolio Manager
Yearly salary$59,096$114,671
Hourly rate$28.41$55.13
Growth rate10%17%
Number of jobs29,20243,192
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 77%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age4346
Years of experience68

Stock broker vs portfolio manager salary

Stock brokers and portfolio managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Stock BrokerPortfolio Manager
Average salary$59,096$114,671
Salary rangeBetween $37,000 And $93,000Between $66,000 And $198,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYStamford, CT
Highest paying stateNew YorkConnecticut
Best paying companyICAPThe Citadel
Best paying industryFinanceFinance

Differences between stock broker and portfolio manager education

There are a few differences between a stock broker and a portfolio manager in terms of educational background:

Stock BrokerPortfolio Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 77%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Stock broker vs portfolio manager demographics

Here are the differences between stock brokers' and portfolio managers' demographics:

Stock BrokerPortfolio Manager
Average age4346
Gender ratioMale, 85.5% Female, 14.5%Male, 66.6% Female, 33.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 11.4% Asian, 12.3% White, 66.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 7.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 14.4% Asian, 10.1% White, 63.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage6%11%

Differences between stock broker and portfolio manager duties and responsibilities

Stock broker example responsibilities.

  • Manage communication with clients regarding margin call requirements base on NYSE and NASD standards.
  • Administer the purchase and sale of small cap equities trade on NASDAQ and NYSE exchanges.
  • Study to pass all require FINRA testing!
  • Develop and monitor all stock trading and reporting and institute guidelines for proper FINRA procedures.
  • Calculate common area maintenance expenses and CPI increases and notify tenants via letter of increases.
  • Generate over $200k in derivative commission revenue through full-service brokerage and execution and roughly $100K in self-direct trading commission.
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Portfolio manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage ongoing existing client needs and assist in credit structuring at loan origination.
  • Manage over $900M in U.S. Equities and fixed-income; are simultaneously responsible for monitoring over $1.4b in global assets
  • Manage governance, engage stakeholders and communicate budget impact to senior management.
  • Conduct post-promotion analysis and manage financial reporting to ensure favorable ROI for clients.
  • Create PowerPoint presentation books for clients.
  • Facilitate internal, external, GAAP audits.
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Stock broker vs portfolio manager skills

Common stock broker skills
  • Financial Products, 11%
  • Client Portfolios, 10%
  • Securities, 8%
  • Bonds, 7%
  • Stock Market, 4%
  • Cold Calls, 4%
Common portfolio manager skills
  • Portfolio Management, 10%
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Risk Management, 5%
  • Project Management, 5%
  • Financial Statements, 5%
  • Real Estate, 5%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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