ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Derivatives Trader Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Valkyrie Trading

Junior Derivatives Trader

Chicago, IL

$140K/yr

At Valkyrie, Derivatives Traders are responsible for operating our proprietary trading system and being fully responsible for day-to-day PnL and risk. You're directly facing the market every day and ...

Valkyrie Trading

Junior Derivatives Trader

Chicago, IL · On-site

$140K/yr

At Valkyrie, Derivatives Traders are responsible for operating our proprietary trading system and being fully responsible for day-to-day PnL and risk. You're directly facing the market every day and ...

ExxonMobil

System Trader

Spring, TX · On-site

Identifies hedging requirements but is not authorized to trade derivatives Job Role Responsibilities Collaborate with Optimizers to implement commercial strategies that ensure system balance and ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsDerivatives Trader Jobs

Derivatives Trader information

See salary details

$49.5K

$65K

$79K

How much do derivatives trader jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for derivatives trader in the United States is $64,999.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $57,500.00 and $72,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a derivatives trader do?

A derivatives trader is a financial investment professional who specializes in working with derivatives, which is a type of financial security contract that relies on another asset or group of assets, like stocks or bonds, for its value. Your responsibilities include analyzing the financial needs of a client, building a portfolio of investment options using derivatives, understanding financial trading data and market trends, and assisting clients with making the right derivative trading and investing choices to meet their goals. You typically carry out your duties for a range of clients while working as an employee of an investment firm.

Do derivatives traders make a lot of money?

Derivatives traders can earn high incomes, especially if they have strong analytical skills, risk management abilities, and experience. Compensation often includes base salary, bonuses, and profit sharing, which can significantly increase total earnings for successful traders.

What are some common challenges that derivatives traders face in their daily work, and how can they effectively manage them?

Derivatives traders often contend with rapidly changing market conditions, complex financial products, and the need for swift decision-making under pressure. Managing risk exposure is a daily challenge, as market volatility can quickly impact positions. Effective traders use advanced analytical tools, stay updated on market news, and maintain strong communication with risk management and research teams to make informed decisions. Building resilience and continuously refining strategies through learning and experience are key to thriving in this dynamic environment.

What is the difference between Derivatives Trader vs Options Trader?

AspectDerivatives TraderOptions Trader
CredentialsFinance degree, certifications like CFA or FRM often preferredSimilar credentials, with additional focus on options-specific certifications like Options Certification
Work EnvironmentTrading floors, financial firms, hedge fundsTrading desks, investment banks, hedge funds
Industry UsageUsed across financial institutions for various derivativesSpecialized within derivatives, focusing on options contracts
Search & Comparison IntentHigh overlap, both involve derivatives tradingMore specific focus on options strategies

While both Derivatives Traders and Options Traders operate within the derivatives market, Derivatives Traders have a broader scope, trading various derivatives like futures, swaps, and options. Options Traders specialize specifically in options contracts, employing strategies unique to options trading. Both roles require similar credentials and work environments, but their focus and strategies differ, making the comparison relevant for those exploring careers in derivatives trading.

How much do derivatives traders make?

Derivatives traders' salaries vary based on experience, location, and performance, but they often earn between $70,000 and $150,000 annually. Successful traders with strong analytical skills and risk management expertise can earn significantly higher bonuses and commissions, especially in financial hubs or large firms.

What is a derivatives trader?

Derivatives traders are financial professionals who buy and sell derivative contracts such as options, futures, and swaps. Their main goal is to profit from changes in the value of these contracts, which are typically linked to underlying assets like stocks, bonds, commodities, or currencies. Derivatives traders can work for investment banks, hedge funds, or trade independently. They use complex strategies to manage risk and capitalize on price movements in the markets.

How much does a derivatives trader earn?

A derivatives trader's salary varies based on experience, location, and performance, but they typically earn between $70,000 and $200,000 annually. Top performers and those working in major financial centers can earn significantly more, often supplemented by bonuses and commissions. Strong analytical skills and knowledge of trading platforms are essential in this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a derivatives trader?

To thrive as a Derivatives Trader, you need a strong background in quantitative analysis, financial markets, and risk management, typically supported by a degree in finance, mathematics, or a related field. Familiarity with trading platforms, programming languages like Python or R, and certifications such as CFA or FRM are commonly required. Exceptional decision-making, stress management, and communication skills set top traders apart in fast-moving environments. These competencies are vital for making informed, timely trades and effectively managing risk in volatile markets.
More about Derivatives Trader jobs
What cities are hiring for Derivatives Trader jobs? Cities with the most Derivatives Trader job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Derivatives Trader jobs? The most popular types of Derivatives Trader jobs are:
What states have the most Derivatives Trader jobs? States with the most job openings for Derivatives Trader jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Derivatives Trader jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Derivatives Trader jobs are:
Derivatives Trader jobs near you
Infographic showing various Derivatives Trader job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 63% Full Time, 35% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 52% Physical, 11% Hybrid, and 37% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $64,999 per year, or $31.2 per hour.

Corporate Equity Derivatives Trader

Societe Generale

New York, NY • On-site

Other

Re-posted 7 days ago

Job description

Societe Generale is global leader in equity derivatives. The Corporate Derivatives Trading desk (aka STG) sits within the MARK Equity Derivatives Division and is responsible for pricing, trading, and risk-managing both vanilla and complex derivative products on US stocks for corporate clients of the firm, based in the US and worldwide. Products range from vanilla options to more complex aka "exotic" or structured payoffs, convertible bonds, and equity-collateralized margin loans.

The Corporate Equity Derivatives Trading team is seeking a Vice President/Director coming with experience in corporate derivative trading and/or with a quantitative skillset. This individual will contribute to pricing, trading the book, options pricing analytics, back testing, and the enhancement of the risk management tools.
Key responsibilities:
    Partner with sales and risk teams to develop the bank footprint in the US and provide liquidity in complex or large solutions on US stocks to the bank world-wide range of clients. 
    Monitor books, inventory and P&L to stay within limits and reach objectives set by management. 
    Follow market news to evaluate risk and opportunities in the books. 
    Analyze new derivative requests or pitches, assess risks, contribute to providing informed pricing.
    Use data analysis / machine learnings methods to identify new opportunities to drive profitability and market share.
    Build and maintain Python-based tools for pricing, trading automation, and risk management.
    Operate in a fast-paced environment with a high degree of autonomy and accountability.

Qualifications:
    The ideal candidate would have experience in margin loans and corporate derivatives trading or would come from a quantitative research/development role with a strong interest in joining a trading role.
    In-depth knowledge of options pricing models, volatility surfaces, and risk management.

    Deep understanding of options pricing models, Greeks, volatility modeling, and market microstructure.
    Ability to thrive in a fast-paced trading environment with high ownership and attention to detail.
    Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across functions.
 

Apply