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Options Trader Jobs (NOW HIRING)

IMC

Systematic Index Options Trader

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

We are looking for an Index Options Low-Latency Execution Quantitative Trader to join our team. IMC's Index Options desk is one of the leading electronic liquidity providers in index options markets.

IMC

Systematic Index Options Trader

Chicago, IL · On-site

$250K/yr

We are looking for an Index Options Low-Latency Execution Quantitative Trader to join our team. IMC's Index Options desk is one of the leading electronic liquidity providers in index options markets.

Maven

Junior Floor Trader

Chicago, IL · On-site

We are seeking a junior trader to join our Options Market Making trading team in Chicago in September 2026. The role's primary function will be to provide liquidity and execute trades on behalf of ...

Maven

Junior Floor Trader

Chicago, IL

We are seeking a junior trader to join our Options Market Making trading team in Chicago in September 2026. The role's primary function will be to provide liquidity and execute trades on behalf of ...

Capital Group

Fixed Income Rates Trader

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$150K - $250K/yr

... options * Receive 2-for-1 matching gifts for your charitable contributions and the opportunity to ... As a Rates Trader, you will contribute to the team in the following ways: * Execute trades and ...

Mitsui

Power Congestion Trader

Houston, TX · On-site

SUMMARY: The Power Congestion Trader is responsible for managing the trading of electricity ... Prolonged periods of sitting (with standing option) and may need to routinely move around to ...

US Bank

Fixed Income Trader

Minneapolis, MN · On-site

$75K - $89K/yr

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS - Six months to two years of trading experience in investment and securities industry. - High school diploma or equivalent. PREFERRED SKILLS/EXPERIENCE - Knowledge of fixed ...

DV Trading

Trader

Chicago, IL · On-site

$160K/yr

DV Trading is looking for a proven Options Trader who wants the freedom to run capital, scale ideas quickly, and trade on high-performance trading infrastructure tailored to our business. This is an ...

DV Trading

Trader

Chicago, IL

$160K/yr

DV Trading is looking for a proven Options Trader who wants the freedom to run capital, scale ideas quickly, and trade on high-performance trading infrastructure tailored to our business. This is an ...

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Options Trader information

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$11K

$112.4K

$195.5K

How much do options trader jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for options trader in the United States is $112,369.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $49,000.00 and $175,000.00 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.

How much do option traders make?

Option traders' earnings vary widely based on experience, skill, trading volume, and market conditions. Successful traders can earn from a few thousand dollars annually to six-figure incomes, especially if they develop strong analytical skills and risk management strategies. Many traders also work as part of firms or hedge funds, which can influence compensation levels.

Is 30 too old to become a trader?

Options trading is accessible to individuals of various ages, and starting at 30 is not too late. Success depends on acquiring relevant knowledge, developing skills, and gaining experience through education, practice, and understanding market strategies.

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 expiration. They analyze market trends, use trading platforms, and develop strategies to profit from price movements while managing risk. 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.

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.
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Options Trader jobs near you
Infographic showing various Options Trader job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Part Time. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $112,369 per year, or $54 per hour.

Systematic Index Options Trader

IMC

Chicago, IL • On-site, Remote

Other

Posted 26 days ago

Job description

We are looking for an Index Options Low-Latency Execution Quantitative Trader to join our team. IMC's Index Options desk is one of the leading electronic liquidity providers in index options markets. Our execution team is responsible for getting IMC into the trades we want to participate in, across a range of mechanisms. Our ultra-low latency infrastructure is best-in-class, and because IMC is highly collaborative between traders, quant researchers, and developers, the scope of this role spans deep trade analysis, execution system improvement, and early ownership of a defined part of the strategy.

Your Core Responsibilities:
  • Drive revenue in low-latency index options trading by building upon and improving our electronic execution systems
  • Deliver high-quality analysis using a variety of datasets, including options pricing, trades data, and exchange feed
  • Dive into specific trade examples to understand the behavior of our systems and those of our competitors, identify anomalies, and quantify opportunities
  • Use backtesting and analysis tools to predict the impact of changes to our execution systems and continuously improve our performance
  • Work collaboratively with traders, quant researchers, and developers to bring ideas from inception to production
  • Take early ownership of a defined area of the strategy, for example a certain exchange or execution type, and grow into setting multi-month improvement plans
Your Skills and Experience:
  • 2+ years of experience in low-latency index options execution, including liquidity providing and taking
  • Strong understanding of exchange microstructure and how automated trading systems interact with exchanges
  • Entrepreneurial mindset with a competitive nature, strong ownership mentality, and a bias toward action
  • Ability to perform efficient analysis on large datasets in Python
  • Preference for relevant tertiary qualifications (graduate or post-graduate) in a quantitative field: mathematics, computer science, statistics, or similar, with strong academic results
  • Strong communicator, able to collaborate effectively across trading, research, and development teams

Apply