An options trader is a financial professional who works with the stock market. They work with clients and help them to invest in different stock options, which are contracts that give an owner of the stock the right to buy or sell the stock at a fixed price for a certain period of time. Options traders may work exclusively for themselves or a company.
Options traders must be extremely knowledgeable and skillful when it comes to the options market. Trading in options is often a lot riskier than trading in stocks, as options have a greater potential for large losses than traditional stocks do. This means an options trader must be savvy on the options market and be able to perform market forecasting that can help limit a client's risks and maximize their profits.
Options traders come in four different categories. Retail investors are options traders who buy and sell options with their own money for profit. Industrial traders are options traders who perform the job for large financial entities like mutual funds and hedge funds.
Broker-dealers facilitate option trades on behalf of a company and its client base. Market makers are required to make bids and offers on the options traded on specific securities; therefore, market makers provide liquidity in the options marketplace.
Though it is possible to be a self-taught options trader, many who work for large financial firms possess either a bachelor's degree or master's degree in finance, economics, business, or another related field. Many also have to pass complex financial exams to gain certifications in the field. Examples of these exams include the Securities Industries Essential exam, and the Series 6 and Series 7 exams.
- Salary$110,139
- Growth Rate4%
- Jobs Number1,433
- Most Common SkillFX
- Most Common DegreeBachelors degree
- Best StateNew York
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Options Trader career paths
In addition to switching up your job search, it might prove helpful to look at a career path for your specific job. Now, what's a career path you ask? Well, it's practically a map that shows how you might advance from one job title to another. Our career paths are especially detailed with salary changes. So, for example, if you started out with the role of equity trader you might progress to a role such as finance advisor eventually. Later on in your career, you could end up with the title portfolio manager.
Options Trader
Average options trader salary
The average Options Trader salary in the United States is $110,139 per year or $53 per hour. Options Trader salaries range between $65,000 and $185,000 per year.
Average
Options Trader
Salary
$110,139Yearly
$52.95
hourly
What Am I Worth?
Options Trader skills and job requirements
Options Trader skills
- FX
- Stock Options
- Equities
- Stock Market
- Risk Management Strategies
- Equity Options
- Derivative
- Order Flow
- Financial Markets
- Python
Options Trader requirements
- Bachelor's Degree in Finance or Economics
- Minimum of 5 years of trading experience
- Deep knowledge of option markets, strategies and risk management
- Proficiency in trading software and platforms
- Familiarity with Financial regulations
Options Trader responsibilities
- Enact, and manage equity block desk operation and set up floor broker network on NYSE.
- Create VBA applications to automate basic trading functions and administration functions such as reorganization tenders and trade pricing issues.
- Manage business, sales, marketing, international negotiation and communication for a commodities business.
- Trade options profitably on screen markets and trade complex option spreads via telephone brokers at the CBOE and CME.
Options Trader education
Options Trader majors
30.5
%
21.0
%
15.8
%
Options Trader degrees
Bachelors
82.3
%
Masters
11.9
%
Associate
3.4
%
Options Trader resume examples
How do options traders rate their job?
Best states for an options trader
11. Georgia
Total options trader jobs: 12Avg. salary: $101,465Location quotient: 0.94View 12 options trader jobs in GA
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Updated April 6, 2023