Well, since we never really see the figures, all I can draw on is guesses. BLS reported average annual stockbroker salary to be in the $70K range, with the lowest 10 percent making annual earnings of $31,330 and highest 10 percent making $166,400.
Perhaps that is accurate for brokers based in small towns. I cannot imagine Merrill Lynch paying brokers in NYC less than 200k. Of course much of it is commission so perhaps the BLS number is base pay.