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Energy Trading Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Energy Engineer

Des Moines, IA · On-site +1

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Present and discuss findings with customers, contractors, trade allies, utility program staff, and ... Evaluate energy impacts for measures related to HVAC systems and controls, lighting, compressed air ...

Energy Engineer

Des Moines, IA · On-site +1

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Present and discuss findings with customers, contractors, trade allies, utility program staff, and ... Evaluate energy impacts for measures related to HVAC systems and controls, lighting, compressed air ...

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Showing results 1-20

Energy Trading information

See Iowa salary details

$103.3K

$147.9K

$189.3K

How much do energy trading jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for energy trading in Iowa is $147,901.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $133,800.00 and $163,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is energy trading?

Energy trading involves the buying and selling of energy commodities such as electricity, natural gas, oil, and renewable energy certificates. Professionals in this field analyze market trends, forecast supply and demand, and execute trades to optimize profits or reduce risks for utility companies, producers, or financial institutions. Energy traders may operate on physical markets, where actual delivery of energy is involved, or on financial markets, dealing with contracts and derivatives. The field is fast-paced and requires strong analytical, quantitative, and decision-making skills.

What are energy trading jobs?

The most common energy trading job is an energy trader. This position can start at entry-level and work up to a senior role. As an energy trader, your responsibilities include purchasing energy and completing trade sales to produce a profit with limited cost. You examine technical market factors, the availability of power sources, and prices to predict the next drop or rise for shares. If you work as an energy trade analyst, you track, interpret, and report on conditions that affect energy trading. There are also energy trading directors and energy trading managers who handle high-level duties and oversee trading activities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an energy trader, and why are they important?

To succeed as an Energy Trader, you need strong analytical abilities, a solid grasp of financial markets, and a relevant degree in finance, economics, or engineering. Familiarity with trading platforms (such as Eikon or Bloomberg), risk management tools, and energy market regulations or certifications (like Series 7 or 63) is typically required. Excellent decision-making under pressure, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help traders excel in fast-paced environments. These competencies are crucial for managing market volatility, optimizing trades, and ensuring regulatory compliance in the dynamic energy sector.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in energy trading?

Energy trading professionals often face challenges such as managing price volatility in the markets, staying up-to-date with regulatory changes, and making quick, data-driven decisions under pressure. They must also coordinate closely with risk management, analysts, and operations teams to ensure trades align with company strategy and compliance requirements. Adapting to new technologies and market trends is essential for success, as is maintaining strong communication skills to work effectively with both internal and external stakeholders.

What is the difference between Energy Trading vs Energy Analyst?

AspectEnergy TradingEnergy Analyst
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in finance, economics, or related field; certifications like CFA beneficialBachelor's or master's in economics, finance, or energy management
Work EnvironmentFast-paced trading floors, financial institutions, energy companiesResearch-focused, office settings, consulting firms, energy companies
Employer & Industry UsageFinancial firms, energy trading companies, utilitiesEnergy companies, consulting firms, government agencies
Common Search & ComparisonYesNo

Energy Trading involves buying and selling energy commodities to maximize profit, often in real-time markets. Energy Analysts focus on analyzing energy data, market trends, and providing insights to support decision-making. While both roles require understanding of energy markets, Energy Trading is more transaction-oriented, whereas Energy Analysts emphasize research and analysis.

How do I get into energy trading?

To enter energy trading, candidates typically need a bachelor's degree in finance, economics, or a related field, along with strong analytical skills and knowledge of energy markets. Gaining experience through internships or entry-level roles in trading firms, and developing proficiency with trading platforms and market analysis tools, can improve prospects. Certifications like the Energy Risk Professional (ERP) can also enhance credibility in the field.

Is energy trading a good career?

Energy trading is a competitive field that involves buying and selling energy commodities such as electricity and natural gas, often requiring strong analytical skills and knowledge of market regulations. It can offer high earning potential and opportunities for advancement, but also involves high pressure and market volatility. Success typically depends on expertise, certifications, and staying informed about industry trends.

What are the most commonly searched types of Energy Trading jobs in Iowa?

The most popular types of Energy Trading jobs in Iowa are:

What are popular job titles related to Energy Trading jobs in Iowa?

For Energy Trading jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Energy Trading jobs in Iowa look for?

The top searched job categories for Energy Trading jobs in Iowa are:

What cities in Iowa are hiring for Energy Trading jobs?

Cities in Iowa with the most Energy Trading job openings:

Infographic showing various Energy Trading job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 4% Nights. Highlights an 98% In-person, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $147,901 per year, or $71.1 per hour.

Assoc/Resource Manager/Senior

Berkshire Hathaway Energy

Urbandale, IA • On-site

Full-time

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Berkshire Hathaway Energy rating

6.5

Company rating: 6.5 out of 10

Based on 18 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

This is a multi-level posting and will be filled at the appropriate level based on experience and education. 

The resource manager operates MidAmerican Energy Company's portfolio of resources (primarily, but not limited to, electric generation) in accordance with criteria and procedures established by MISO to serve MidAmerican Energy Company's native load, joint dispatch customers, municipal customers and committed wholesale sales and purchases while adhering to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved North American Electric Reliability Council Reliability Standards. The resource manager provides key resource portfolio information to manage operational parameters to maximize trading opportunities. The resource manager reports timely and accurate operational information to the balancing authorities, direct supervision, senior management, and owners.

MidAmerican Energy Company, a Midwest utility, provides regulated electric and natural gas service to more than 1.6 million customers in Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota. The company owns and operates a portfolio of power-generating assets, approximately 61% of which is wind generation.MidAmerican Energy Company is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion or religious creed, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status (except as required by law), gender (including gender identity and expression), sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disability, veteran or military status, familial or parental status, marital status or any other category protected by applicable local, state or U.S. federal law. Employees must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without an accommodation.

Assoc. Resource Manager; 
Associate's, bachelor's degree in business or engineering-related field or equivalent combination of education and experience specifically related to electric system operation or energy trading. 

One to three years of experience coordinating electric energy resources such as generation; load control, energy trading, supply contracts, and/or electric system operation.

After 8 -12 months as an associate resource manager, the employee's performance will be reviewed to see if he/she meets the minimum qualifications and performance standards before becoming a resource manager. The associate resource manager will be required to achieve proficiency and move to the resource manager position within 12 months of starting training. Proficiency will be determined by testing, observation, and ability to acquire NERC certification.

Resource Manager; 

Bachelor's degree in business or engineering-related field or equivalent combination of education and experience specifically related to electric system operation or energy trading. (Typically six years of related, progressive work experience would be needed for candidates applying for this position who do not possess a bachelor's degree.) 

NERC Balance and Interchange certification or higher certification is required. 

Four years of control center, power plant or trading experience. Demonstrated ability to forecast electric system loads, evaluate the best options to serve the forecasted system load, evaluate economic options to serve system forecasted load, perform agency services, determine quotes for trading activities savings through purchases and sales and perform multi-task during very stressful conditions. 

Senior Resource Manager; 
Bachelor's degree in business or engineering-related field or equivalent combination of education and experience specifically related to electric system operation or energy trading.(Typically six years of related, progressive work experience would be needed for candidates applying for this position who do not possess a bachelor's degree.)

NERC Balance and Interchange certification or higher certification is required. 

Six years of control center, power plant or trading experience. Demonstrated ability to forecast electric system loads, evaluate the best options to serve the forecasted system load, evaluate economic options to serve system forecasted load, perform agency services, determine quotes for trading activities savings through purchases and sales and perform multi-task during very stressful conditions.

Experience with Generation Management Systems/Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition. Knowledge of power system economics, especially economic dispatch and generator efficiency characteristics and energy trading. 

Technical skills and mechanical knowledge related to understanding electric generation and power system operations. 

Demonstrated problem-solving, resourcefulness and analytical skills to forecast and evaluate operational problems, energy production costs scenarios and system reliability concerns to promote continuity of service to customers at the lowest cost while assuring reliability standard and guideline compliance. 

Verbal and written communication skills. Effective interpersonal skills and leadership abilities. Project management skills; ability to prioritize and handle multiple issues and projects concurrently. 

Employees must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without an accommodation. 

We celebrate diversity, equity and inclusion, and we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion or religious creed, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status (except as required by law), gender (including gender identity and expression), sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disability, veteran or military status, familial or parental status, marital status or any other category protected by applicable local, state or U.S. federal law.

Respond to MISO directives. Manage plant operational information and issues through communications with generation plant personnel. Oversee automatic generation control and work with traders to manage wind production. Work to achieve optimum economic resource utilization while considering plant performance, regulatory compliance, and reliability of the interconnected system. (70%) 

Effectively respond to MISO directives related to unit commitments and actions taken in abnormal and emergency operational events within the MISO footprint. Serve as point of control and communication for actions to correct capacity and energy deficiencies through active, direct control, and indirect notification. (10%)

Work with Energy Traders to create market strategy for the daily day-ahead offers and do the data entry for day-ahead offers on weekends, holidays and when needed. (10%) 

Provide joint dispatch on behalf of joint dispatch customers. (5%) 

Respond to transmission loading relief and re-dispatch events through the modification of generation patterns as directed by reliability coordinator at Midwest Independent Systems Operator-St. Paul. (5%) 

Perform additional responsibilities as requested or assigned.


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