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Senior Equity Trader Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Senior Equity Analyst

Chicago, IL

$90K - $120K/yr

As a Senior Equity Analyst, you'll sit directly on the trading desk, influencing real-time decisions and shaping positions with direct P&L impact. This is not a traditional equity research role ...

The firm trades across a broad range of asset classes, including equities, equity derivatives, options, commodity futures, rates futures, etc. We employ a diverse and growing array of algorithmic ...

As a Senior Equity Analyst, you'll sit directly on the trading desk, influencing real-time decisions and shaping positions with direct P&L impact. This is not a traditional equity research role ...

Experienced equity options trader with at least 2 years' experience * Entrepreneurial mindset with a healthy risk appetite, are competitive by nature, and are a fast decision maker * Ability to ...

Experienced equity options trader with at least 2 years' experience * Entrepreneurial mindset with a healthy risk appetite, are competitive by nature, and are a fast decision maker * Ability to ...

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Senior Equity Trader information

See salary details

$25K

$80.3K

$163.5K

How much do senior equity trader jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior equity trader in the United States is $80,287.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $41,500.00 and $103,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Is 30 too old to become a trader?

Senior equity traders often start their careers at various ages, and 30 is not considered too old to enter the field. Success depends on skills, experience, and knowledge of financial markets, which can be developed at any age through education, certifications, and practical trading experience.

How much do equity traders get paid?

Equity traders' salaries vary based on experience, location, and performance, but they typically earn a base salary ranging from $70,000 to $150,000 annually, with additional bonuses that can significantly increase total compensation. Senior equity traders often earn higher base salaries and larger bonuses, especially in competitive financial markets, and may also receive benefits such as profit sharing and performance incentives.

How much do VP equity traders make?

Vice President (VP) equity traders typically earn between $150,000 and $300,000 annually, with additional bonuses based on performance. Compensation varies by firm, location, and experience, and senior traders often have access to profit-sharing arrangements and other incentives.

What is the difference between Senior Equity Trader vs Equity Analyst?

AspectSenior Equity TraderEquity Analyst
CredentialsTypically requires finance degrees, CFA certification often preferredFinance or related degree, CFA or equivalent certification common
Work EnvironmentFast-paced trading floors, financial institutions, hedge fundsResearch firms, investment banks, asset management companies
Primary FocusExecuting trades, managing portfolios, risk managementAnalyzing companies, producing research reports, investment recommendations

While both roles require strong financial knowledge and certifications like CFA, Senior Equity Traders focus on executing trades and managing portfolios in active trading environments. Equity Analysts concentrate on researching companies and providing investment insights. Both roles are integral to investment firms but differ in daily responsibilities and skill sets.

What are some common challenges Senior Equity Traders face in managing risk, and how are these typically addressed within trading teams?

Senior Equity Traders often encounter challenges related to market volatility, liquidity constraints, and quickly evolving economic news that can impact equity prices. To manage these risks, traders use advanced quantitative tools, strict risk limits, and real-time monitoring systems. Collaboration with risk management teams and regular communication with analysts and portfolio managers are crucial for staying informed and making timely decisions. Many firms also conduct frequent reviews and post-trade analyses to refine strategies and maintain compliance with internal and regulatory standards.

What does a senior equity trader do?

A senior equity trader manages the buying and selling of stocks and equity securities on behalf of clients or firms, making trading decisions based on market analysis and financial data. They often use trading platforms, analyze market trends, and develop strategies to maximize profits while managing risk. Strong analytical skills, market knowledge, and experience with trading tools are essential for this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Senior Equity Trader, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Equity Trader, you need deep knowledge of financial markets, strong analytical abilities, and several years of trading experience, often supported by a relevant degree or FINRA licenses. Expertise with trading platforms, risk management systems, and financial modeling tools like Bloomberg Terminal or Reuters Eikon is commonly required. Exceptional decision-making, stress management, and clear communication skills help traders excel in high-pressure, fast-paced environments. These skills and qualities are crucial for making profitable trades, managing risks, and ensuring compliance in dynamic market conditions.
What cities are hiring for Senior Equity Trader jobs? Cities with the most Senior Equity Trader job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Equity Trader jobs? The most popular types of Equity Trader jobs are:
What states have the most Senior Equity Trader jobs? States with the most job openings for Senior Equity Trader jobs include:

$90K - $120K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 14 days ago


Job description

As a Senior Equity Analyst, you'll sit directly on the trading desk, influencing real-time decisions and shaping positions with direct P&L impact. This is not a traditional equity research role - your work will be used in live trading environments where speed, adaptability, and commercial judgement are critical.

You'll bring strong experience owning sector coverage, along with a keen understanding of how fundamentals drive short-term price action and volatility. While we are open to candidates from any sector background, you should be comfortable applying your framework across new names and situations.

This is a high-impact role designed for analysts who thrive in fast-paced, collaborative environments - and who are eager to apply their market-making instincts, short-horizon research, and option-aware thinking to drive tangible results.

What you'll do

As a Senior Equity Analyst, your key responsibilities include:

  • Leverage fundamental, event-driven, and short-term catalysts to create an orthogonal trading revenue stream expressed via the analyst book identify and evaluate trading opportunities
  • Partner with traders to help optimize analyst and market making positions, directly owning risk in both the analyst and market making books
  • Support market making desk with general insights that improve day-to-day trading decisions
  • Perform scenario and sensitivity analyses for upcoming events and corporate developments, assessing their potential impact on both equity and volatility
  • Translate research insights into actionable strategies across equities and options
  • Contribute to process improvements and knowledge sharing across the analyst team, refining how fundamental insights are monetized in a market-making context
  • Mentor junior analysts and support the continued growth of the equity research function

What you'll get

  • The opportunity to work alongside best-in-class professionals from over 40 different countries
  • Highly competitive compensation package
  • Global profit-sharing pool and performance-based bonus structure
  • 401(k) match up to 50%
  • Comprehensive health, mental, dental, vision, disability, and life coverage
  • 25 paid vacation days alongside market holidays
  • Extensive office perks, including breakfast, lunch and snacks, regular social events, clubs, sporting leagues and more

Who you are

  • 5+ years of experience as an equity analyst, within a market-making environment, proprietary trading firm, or event-driven / trading-oriented hedge fund
  • Proven track record of owning sector coverage and generating differentiated, actionable insights
  • Strong understanding of how fundamentals translate into short-term price moves and volatility
  • Experience working closely with trading desks or in fast-feedback, P&L-driven environments
  • Comfortable applying your research process across sectors, with the ability to quickly build conviction on new names
  • Familiarity with options and volatility dynamics, or a strong interest in developing this expertise
  • Highly analytical with strong problem-solving skills; thrives in fast-moving, information-rich environments
  • Clear communicator who proactively shares views and collaborates effectively with traders and researchers
  • Passionate about the markets, adaptable, and driven by impact and continuous learning
  • Comfortable working with large data sets and building scalable, repeatable processes

Who we are

At Optiver, our mission is to improve the market by injecting liquidity, providing accurate pricing, increasing transparency and stabilizing the market no matter the conditions. With a focus on continuous improvement, we prioritize safeguarding the health and efficiency of the markets for all participants. As one of the largest market making institutions, we are a respected partner on 100+ exchanges across the globe.

Our differences are our edge. Optiver does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, or other legally protected characteristics.