Career comparison
Bookkeeper vs. Brokerage Clerk
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Brokerage clerks earn more at the median ($65,750 vs. $50,670), while bookkeepers usually get to work faster (3–12 months of training). Bookkeepers record transactions, reconcile accounts and keep a business’s books accurate. Brokerage clerks process trades and keep records for investment firms.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Bookkeeper | Brokerage Clerk | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $50,670 ($24.36/hr) | $65,750 ($31.61/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $36,000 – $74,550 | $50,260 – $102,010 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -5.6% (a projected decline) | -7.6% (a projected decline) |
| Openings per year | 144,100 | 3,400 |
| Typical entry education | Some college, no degree | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | 3–12 months | A few months on the job |
| Key credential | Certified Bookkeeper (AIPB) | SIE exam |
| Work setting | Bookkeepers work for small businesses, accounting firms, nonprofits and larger companies, or for themselves serving multiple clients. | Clerks work in offices at brokerages, banks and investment firms.. |
What each job does
Bookkeeper
- Record transactions in accounting software
- Process accounts payable and receivable
- Reconcile bank and credit card accounts
- Prepare payroll data and track payroll liabilities
- Maintain the general ledger and chart of accounts
Brokerage Clerk
- Process trade orders
- Verify trade details
- Prepare confirmations
- Process transfers
- Update account records
How they’re similar
Both careers involve working with information, desk work, and steady routines. Both are part of the business & office field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose bookkeeper if…
- I like numbers and keeping things accurate
- I’m comfortable with spreadsheets and software
- I prefer structured, detail-oriented work
Choose brokerage clerk if…
- I’m very accurate
- I like finance
- I work well under deadlines
Still torn? Take the Bookkeeper fit quiz and the Brokerage Clerk fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, bookkeeper or brokerage clerk?
Brokerage Clerks earn more at the median: $65,750 versus $50,670 for bookkeepers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Bookkeepers typically train faster (3–12 months) than brokerage clerks (A few months on the job).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects bookkeepers to grow -5.6% from 2025–35, compared with -7.6% for brokerage clerks.