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Options Trader Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Tanius Technology

Junior Trader

Alamo, CA

Remote options for this role will not be considered. Qualifications * Bachelor's degree in Finance ... Strong interest in financial markets and trading. * Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Tanius Technology

Junior Trader

Alamo, CA · On-site

Remote options for this role will not be considered. Qualifications * Bachelor's degree in Finance ... Strong interest in financial markets and trading. * Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Qualcomm

Industrial Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$74K - $100K/yr

Evaluate candidate spaces and develop option trade studies (reuse/upgrade/new build) with high-level cost/schedule/risk inputs; present decision-ready recommendations to planners and leadership.

Clear Street

Associate - Active Trading Support

Del Mar, CA · On-site

$85K - $105K/yr

Professional trading experience and/or in a trading support function like Operations or Client Services across equities, options, or futures (futures is strongly preferred) * Strong verbal & written ...

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All JobsOptions Trader JobsOptions Trader Jobs in California

Options Trader information

See California salary details

$10.9K

$110.9K

$192.9K

How much do options trader jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for options trader in California is $110,897.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48,400.00 and $172,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an Options Trader?

An Options Trader is a financial professional who buys and sells options contracts on various securities, such as stocks or commodities. They analyze market trends, assess risk, and develop strategies to profit from price movements without owning the underlying asset. Options traders can work for financial institutions, hedge funds, or as independent traders. Their role requires a deep understanding of financial markets, risk management, and the mechanics of options trading.

Can I make a living off trading options?

Options traders can potentially earn a living by developing strong trading strategies, managing risk effectively, and maintaining sufficient capital. However, trading options involves significant risk and requires expertise, discipline, and ongoing education; many traders experience losses, and consistent profitability is not guaranteed. Success often depends on market conditions, experience, and the ability to adapt to changing environments.

What Is an Options Trader?

An options trader buys and sells stock options. You typically work for a large investment bank or private hedge fund, managing complex capital investments for clients. Your duties are to create options contracts and develop forecasting models to determine the optimal price to buy an option to maximize profit and minimize risk. You create reports and models that outline financial positions for your clients that will increase value to their portfolio. Many options traders gain job experience working at an investment bank or large commercial bank and possess qualifications like a bachelor’s degree in economics or math.

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

To thrive as an Options Trader, you need strong analytical skills, mathematical proficiency, a solid understanding of financial markets, and often a degree in finance, economics, or a related field. Familiarity with trading platforms, financial modeling tools, and certifications like the Series 7 or CFA are typically valuable. Exceptional decision-making, stress management, and effective communication help traders excel in high-pressure, fast-moving environments. These skills are crucial for making informed trades, managing risk, and achieving consistent profitability in a competitive market.

What does an option trader do?

An options trader buys and sells options contracts, which give the right to buy or sell an underlying asset at a specified price before a certain date. They analyze market conditions, use trading strategies, and manage risk to profit from price movements of stocks, commodities, or other assets. Strong analytical skills and knowledge of financial markets are essential for this role.

What are the main challenges an Options Trader faces during periods of high market volatility?

As an Options Trader, high market volatility can lead to rapidly changing options prices and increased risk exposure. Navigating these conditions requires quick decision-making, a solid understanding of risk management strategies, and the ability to stay calm under pressure. Traders must constantly monitor their positions, adjust hedges, and communicate effectively with team members, such as risk analysts and portfolio managers, to ensure portfolio stability. Adapting to shifting market conditions and remaining disciplined are key to long-term success in this dynamic environment.

What are the 4 basic options positions?

Options traders typically use four basic positions: long call, long put, short call, and short put. These positions involve buying or selling call and put options to speculate on or hedge against price movements of the underlying asset. Understanding these fundamental positions is essential for developing more complex options strategies.

Can options trading be a career?

Options trading can be pursued as a career by individuals such as professional traders, financial analysts, or proprietary traders who develop expertise in market analysis, risk management, and trading strategies. It often requires strong analytical skills, knowledge of financial markets, and access to trading platforms, with success depending on experience and discipline.
More about Options Trader jobs
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What cities in California are hiring for Options Trader jobs? Cities in California with the most Options Trader job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Options Trader jobs in CA? For Options Trader jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Options Trader jobs near you
Infographic showing various Options Trader job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, 42% Part Time, and 8% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $110,897 per year, or $53.3 per hour.

Entry Level Proprietary Trader Positions

T3 Trading Group LLC

Santa Monica, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 2 days ago

Job description

NOW Accepting Applications for Prop Trading Professionals
Considering an exciting new career as a professional trader?
T3 Trading Group, LLC (www.t3trading.com) is a Registered SEC Broker-Dealer & Member of FINRA/SIPC. We are recruiting hardworking, entrepreneurial entry level-traders for remote positions in our nationwide Trading Group.
Trading with T3TG
Our goal is to help every trader maximize their potential through:
  • In-depth education in technical analysis, tape reading, money management, market psychology, and other essential topics
  • Cutting edge technology including access to multiple trading platforms, 'dark' and 'lit' execution venues, plus black box/algorithmic systems
  • Daily trading reviews with experienced traders for individualized help
  • An open and friendly team environment
  • A competitive payout structures

Required Qualifications
  • College degree with a competitive GPA
  • Passion for financial markets
  • Strong analytical skills
  • Team-oriented mentality
  • A focused, entrepreneurial personality
  • Experience in sports or other competitive endeavors like gaming preferred but not required
  • Prior trading experience is not required

Professional Trading Benefits
As a professional trader with T3TG you get:
  • Access to firm capital for superior leverage to traditional retail brokerage accounts.
  • A community of like-minded seasoned professionals to trade alongside.
  • Avoidance of traditional retail restrictions such as the Pattern Day Trader (PDR) rule and short sale restrictions.
  • Access additional capital and potential full-backing based on your performance.

Regulatory Requirements
To trade the firm's capital, equities and options traders must pass the Securities
Industry Essentials (SIE) and Series 57 top off exams to obtain the Securities Trader Representative registration. We are happy to sponsor all qualified candidates to take the exams.
Additionally, all traders must complete FINRA Registration paperwork and applicable background checks.
About T3TG
T3 Trading Group, LLC, a unit of T3 companies, is a Registered SEC Broker-Dealer and Member of FINRA/SIPC. Established in 2007 and registered in 2010, it holds licenses in 53 U.S. States and Territories. T3's office headquarters is located at 88 Pine Street in the heart of New York City's famed financial district.
Please Note:
Proprietary trading is not for everyone. However, it can be a great fit for entrepreneurial spirits with superior work ethic and discipline. Historically, we have sponsored H1B visas on a case-by-case basis and generally require 12 months remaining on any OPT Visa.
How to Apply
If interested, please contact Paolo Fontana at 917-548-4492 or Paolo.Fontana@t3trading.com

Apply