Series 26 License Salary

The Series 26 license exam — officially known as the Investment Company and Variable Contracts Products Principal Qualification Exam — is an essential qualification for individuals who wish to manage and supervise mutual funds, variable annuities, and other investment-related products.

This article explores the typical Series 26 license salary you would expect to earn, as well as the key factors influencing your earning potential and the many career pathways available to you with this qualification.

Series 26 License Salary Overview

Administered by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), the Series 26 license exam opens a world of opportunities to leadership roles in the investment sector for finance professionals.

As a rough estimate, entry-level Series 26 license holders might expect to earn between $50,000 and $80,000 per year. In contrast, experienced license holders with several years of experience and additional qualifications can earn $90,000 to $150,000 or more.

That being said, the figures cited above can vary depending on factors like your experience, location, role, and education.

In order to ensure you maximize your income in this career path, investing in additional qualifications is key as it demonstrates your expertise and lends credibility to your skills.

Factors Influencing Salary

Below, we’ve provided a breakdown of the most important factors that could impact your salary:

• Experience: The more years of relevant experience you have, the better the position you’ll be in for commanding a higher salary
• Location: The region or city in which you work also plays a significant role in your salary — larger cities with higher living costs tend to offer higher salaries
• Job Role: Your specific role or responsibilities within an organization greatly impact your potential earnings. Naturally, these positions are more valuable to the company since they often demand a greater level of expertise, education, or specialized skills — which is reflected in a higher salary
• Economic Conditions: During periods of economic growth, investment firms may see increased revenue from higher assets under management and trading commissions. This can result in higher salaries and bonuses because these firms generally earn larger profits during these times

Note: It’s important to be aware of these factors impacting your salary to be able to manage your career expectations and set realistic goals for your salary growth.

Series 26 Jobs

Series 26 license holders can qualify for jobs that involve the supervision and management of mutual funds, variable annuities, and other investment products.

Here are some careers that may commonly require this license:

• Investment Company Principal: Professionals in this role are responsible for managing and supervising mutual funds and other investment products so that they comply with applicable regulations. They also may help set investment strategies and make crucial investment decisions
• Mutual Fund Manager: These professionals make investment decisions for a mutual funds portfolio by analyzing financial data, studying market trends, and selecting stocks, bonds, closed-end funds, and other securities to include in the mutual fund
• Variable Contract Principal: This role involves supervising and managing variable annuities, variable life insurance sales, and other variable contracts while ensuring compliance with regulations and overseeing sales practices
• Compliance Officer: This position focuses on ensuring a firm adheres to all regulatory requirements, as well as sometimes training staff and creating compliance policies

Because each of these jobs can come with different levels of responsibility, they demand different salary levels. Positions with more responsibility and decision-making authority tend to offer higher salaries.

How to Get Your Series 26 License

Before you take the Series 26 exam, make sure you meet these requirements:

• You’re associated with — and sponsored by — a FINRA member firm or another applicable self-regulatory organization (SRO)
• You’ve passed the Security Industry Essentials (SIE) exam
• You’ve passed the Series 6 exam, also known as the Investment Company and Variable Contracts Products Representative Exam
• You’ve passed the Series 7 exam, officially called the General Securities Representative Exam
• You have an approved accommodation for online applications

Obtaining a Series 26 license is important because it qualifies you to manage mutual and closed-end funds (initial offering only). Your knowledge of these major job functions can expand your career opportunities and earning potential as a financial professional.

Exam Preparation and Procedure

It’s common to feel overwhelmed when preparing for the Series 26 exam due to the breadth of its curriculum.

In order to help you with this, we’ve compiled the following tips below to help you with exam preparation:

• Create a study plan: Develop a detailed study plan that allows sufficient time for each of the Series 26 exam’s 110 multiple-choice questions in two hours and 45 minutes. Make sure you stick to your plan and prioritize the areas where you may need extra practice
• Use study guides: Reputable study guides are a great way to cover all the knowledge required to pass the exam as they’ll provide you with essential information, practice questions, and exam tips to help you understand the material better
• Take practice exams: Mock exams will help you assess your progress, identify any areas where you need improvement, and familiarize yourself with the test format. Make sure to time yourself during practice exams to simulate the actual testing conditions
• Complete prep courses: Enrolling in a prep course for the Series 26 exam will provide you with structured study materials, expert guidance, and practice tests thereby increasing your chances of mastering the content and passing the exam

If you’re thinking about investing in a prep course it’s important to make sure you select a reputable provider. This is crucial to maximizing this investment in your future as it ensures you have access to well-crafted materials and expert guidance that aligns with industry standards.