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Institutional Trading Jobs (NOW HIRING)

VP of Trading-Leverage

Oak Brook, IL ยท On-site

$120 - $180/hr

This role requires experience in using Bloomberg or other institutional trading platforms, as well as a background in financial services and back/middle office operations. What you'll do * Execute ...

You will play a critical role in managing the delivery of institutional trading dashboards for the web3 institutional platform. Your expertise will bridge project management and design, ensuring a ...

This role will play a critical role in building and scaling BitGo's institutional derivatives trading capabilities and will be responsible for developing and executing sophisticated trading ...

Derivatives Trader, NYC

Manhattan, NY ยท On-site

$175 - $215/hr

This role will play a critical role in building and scaling BitGo's institutional derivatives trading capabilities and will be responsible for developing and executing sophisticated trading ...

New

The business operates across institutional trading, digital assets, programmable financial infrastructure, and cross-border payments. This is a high-impact role combining strategic client coverage ...

As a publicly traded company, Gemini is poised to accelerate this vision with greater scale, reach, and impact. The Department: Institutional Sales The Role: Principal, Institutional Sales Gemini is ...

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Institutional Trading information

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How much do institutional trading jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for institutional trading in the United States is $36.54, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $22.36 and $46.15 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is institutional trading?

Institutional trading refers to the buying and selling of large quantities of securities, such as stocks or bonds, by organizations like mutual funds, pension funds, insurance companies, and hedge funds. These trades are typically much larger than those made by individual investors and can significantly impact market prices. Institutional traders often use advanced strategies and sophisticated technology to execute trades efficiently and minimize costs. Their activities play a key role in providing liquidity and stability to the financial markets.

How does an institutional trader typically collaborate with portfolio managers and analysts during the trading process?

Institutional traders work closely with portfolio managers and research analysts to execute large trades that align with the firm's investment strategies. Portfolio managers communicate their investment objectives and trade instructions, while analysts provide market insights and recommendations. Traders use this information to determine the optimal timing, size, and method of execution, aiming to minimize market impact and transaction costs. Effective collaboration ensures that trades are executed efficiently and in accordance with compliance and risk guidelines.

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

To thrive as an Institutional Trader, you need a strong background in finance, analytical skills, and a relevant degree such as finance, economics, or mathematics. Familiarity with trading platforms like Bloomberg Terminal, electronic trading systems, and regulatory certifications (such as FINRA Series 7 or 63) are typically required. Excellent decision-making, attention to detail, and effective communication are standout soft skills for managing high-stakes transactions and client relationships. These capabilities are critical for executing large trades efficiently, mitigating risk, and ensuring profitability in fast-paced financial markets.

What is the difference between Institutional Trading vs Equity Trading?

AspectInstitutional TradingEquity Trading
CredentialsDegree in finance, economics, or related field; certifications like CFA often preferredSimilar credentials; CFA and finance degrees common
Work EnvironmentLarge financial institutions, hedge funds, asset managersBrokerages, investment banks, trading firms
Industry UsageUsed across institutional investors, asset managers, pension fundsUsed by individual and institutional traders
Search & ComparisonOften compared for scope, scale, and client baseFocuses more on individual or retail trading activities

Institutional Trading involves executing large-scale trades for institutions like pension funds and asset managers, often requiring specialized skills and certifications. Equity Trading generally refers to buying and selling stocks, which can be done by both individual and institutional traders. While both roles involve trading securities, Institutional Trading typically deals with larger volumes and more complex strategies within large organizations.

How do you become an institutional trader?

To become an institutional trader, individuals typically need a bachelor's degree in finance, economics, or a related field, along with strong analytical skills and experience in trading or financial markets. Many institutional traders gain experience through internships or entry-level roles at financial firms and may pursue certifications like the Series 7 or Series 63 to enhance their credentials.

How much do institutional traders make?

Institutional traders typically earn a base salary ranging from $70,000 to $150,000 annually, with total compensation often including bonuses that can significantly increase earnings based on performance. Experienced traders with strong analytical skills and risk management expertise can earn well over $200,000 per year. Compensation varies by firm, location, and individual performance.

What does an institutional trading do?

An institutional trader executes large-scale buy and sell orders on behalf of organizations such as mutual funds, pension funds, and hedge funds. They analyze market conditions, use trading platforms, and often work under strict compliance standards to manage significant investment portfolios efficiently.
More about Institutional Trading jobs

What cities are hiring for Institutional Trading jobs?

Cities with the most Institutional Trading job openings:

What states have the most Institutional Trading jobs?

States with the most job openings for Institutional Trading jobs include:

Infographic showing various Institutional Trading job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $76,005 per year, or $36.5 per hour.

VP of Trading-Leverage

Tidal Financial Group

Oak Brook, IL โ€ข On-site

$120 - $180/hr

Other

Posted 17 days ago


Job description

About this position

The Tidal Financial Group is a leading ETF investment technology platform dedicated to creating, operating, and growing ETFs. We combine expertise and innovative partnership approaches to offer comprehensive, value-generating ETF solutions.

Our platform offers best-in-class strategic guidance, product planning, trust and fund services, legal support, operations support, marketing and research, and sales and distribution services.

About the role

We are seeking a highly skilled Leverage ETF Portfolio Manager responsible for the implementation and management of various leveraged Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) portfolios. This role requires a deep understanding of financial markets, strong analytical skills, and a proven ability to manage portfolios within a fast-paced environment. The ETF Portfolio Management team provides portfolio management and execution services for ETF issuers.

This position will be involved with day-to-day portfolio management functions of leveraged ETFs. The ideal candidate will have experience in trading equities, options, and/or other derivatives. This role requires experience in using Bloomberg or other institutional trading platforms, as well as a background in financial services and back/middle office operations.

What you'll do

  • Execute and manage trades across equities, options, and fixed income.
  • Execute day-to-day duties in the Trading Operations Team, including but not limited to trade allocation, position settlement, and reconciliation of all trading.
  • Utilize Bloomberg or other institutional trading platforms for efficient trade execution.
  • Working closely with Prime Brokers and Market Makers to ensure trading best execution and fund efficiencies.
  • Stay updated with market trends, economic developments, and trading strategies.
  • Accountable for performance and adherence to fund objectives and delivering superior returns against direct competitors.
  • Strong familiarity with Microsoft Excel and other Office applications.
  • Partner with Investment/Portfolio Management team to continually improve and enhance the trading process and procedures.
  • Work closely with our Operations Team to understand their needs and to build solutions that enable them to execute transactions and other operational processes effectively.
  • A relentless focus on quality and ability to produce accurate information independently without extensive support/QA from others.
  • Continually analyzing, reviewing and improving our operations and service as the trading business evolves.
  • The individual will be expected to interact and build strong relationships with stakeholders.

Qualifications

  • Bachelorโ€™s degree, preferably business or quantitative discipline related, or relevant experience
  • 8+ years of experience (or more) in trading equities, options, and fixed income, with a strong emphasis on option trading
  • Institutional/RIA trading experience
  • Proficiency with Bloomberg or similar institutional trading platforms
  • Strong understanding of financial markets and trading strategies
  • Excellent communication and customer service skills
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment
  • Demonstrated history of solving complex problems
  • Proficient with MS Office Suite
  • Very high level of competency in Excel

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience with trading platforms, order management systems (OMS), and post-trade processing
  • Experience working for a firm that manages 40 Act products
  • Familiarity with regulatory requirements related to trading activities
  • Experience working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment

We are prioritizing candidates who are located within proximity to Chicago, IL; Milwaukee, WI; New York City, NY; and Omaha, NE

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