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Trading Desk Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Become an expert on the use and best practices on The Trade Desk platform and offer insights to clients on how to improve campaigns and meet KPIs. * Provide continual training to clients as new ...

The Trade Desk is a global technology company and the world's leading independent platform for digital advertising, with nearly 4,000 employees across more than 30 offices. Our technology helps ...

Senior Staff Product Manager

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$136K - $179K/yr

The Trade Desk is a global technology company and the world's leading independent platform for digital advertising, with nearly 4,000 employees across more than 30 offices. Our technology helps ...

Senior Staff Product Manager

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$136K - $179K/yr

The Role Product Managers at The Trade Desk are strategic builders, product thinkers, and operators who thrive in ambiguity and move quickly from concept to execution. This is a senior role for a PM ...

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Trading Desk information

See California salary details

$37K

$82.7K

$122.9K

How much do trading desk jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for trading desk in California is $82,684.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $65,100.00 and $98,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a trading desk do?

A Trading Desk facilitates the buying and selling of financial securities like stocks, bonds, and derivatives on behalf of clients or the firm. Traders analyze market trends, execute trades, and manage risk while ensuring compliance with regulations. They often work in investment banks, hedge funds, or asset management firms, using technology and market insights to maximize profitability.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of someone working on a trading desk?

Professionals on a Trading Desk are responsible for monitoring financial markets, executing buy and sell orders, managing risk exposure, and staying updated on relevant news that could impact assets. Daily tasks often include analyzing market trends, communicating with clients or internal teams, and adjusting trading strategies to meet specific objectives. Collaboration is key, as team members frequently coordinate with research analysts, sales teams, and risk managers to ensure informed decision-making. The pace can be intense, but it offers dynamic challenges and opportunities to make a direct impact on the firm's bottom line.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the trading desk position, and why are they important?

To thrive on a Trading Desk, you need strong analytical abilities, in-depth knowledge of financial markets, and a degree in finance, economics, or a related field. Familiarity with trading platforms (such as Bloomberg Terminal), risk management systems, and relevant certifications like Series 7 or CFA are highly beneficial. Excellent communication, decision-making skills, and the ability to stay calm under pressure help set top performers apart. These skills are essential for executing trades efficiently, managing risk, and achieving successful outcomes in a fast-paced and high-stakes environment.

How to become a trading desk trader?

To become a trading desk trader, candidates typically need a bachelor's degree in finance, economics, or a related field, along with strong analytical skills and knowledge of financial markets. Gaining experience through internships or entry-level trading roles is common, and proficiency with trading platforms and tools is essential. Certifications like the Series 7 or Series 63 may be required depending on the trading environment.

How to get a job on a trading desk?

To get a job on a trading desk, candidates typically need a strong background in finance, economics, or mathematics, along with relevant experience or internships in trading or financial analysis. Proficiency in trading platforms, analytical skills, and certifications like the Series 7 or Series 63 can enhance prospects. Networking and demonstrating a solid understanding of markets are also important for securing a trading desk position.

What is a trading desk job description?

A trading desk job involves buying and selling financial securities such as stocks, bonds, or derivatives on behalf of clients or the firm. Roles typically require strong analytical skills, market knowledge, and the use of trading platforms and tools to execute transactions quickly and accurately. Traders monitor market conditions, manage risk, and ensure compliance with regulations throughout their shifts.

What are the most commonly searched types of Trading Desk jobs in California?

The most popular types of Trading Desk jobs in California are:

What job categories do people searching Trading Desk jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Trading Desk jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Trading Desk jobs?

Cities in California with the most Trading Desk job openings:

Infographic showing various Trading Desk job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 77% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $82,684 per year, or $39.8 per hour.

Desk Analyst, High Yield Municipal Bond Trading

Los Angeles, CA • On-site


Stifel
Commercial Banking • 201 - 500 employees

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 22 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Respectful managers


$85K - $95K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted yesterday


Job description

Why Stifel

Stifel strives for a culture that puts its clients and associates first: a culture where everyone belongs, everyone is welcome, and everyone contributes to the success of our clients, their careers, and the firm as a whole.

Let's talk about how you can find your place here at Stifel, where success meets success.

What You'll Be Doing

Stifel is seeking a highly motivated High Yield Desk Analyst to join our Municipal Bond Trading Desk in Los Angeles. This is a high-impact role within a market-leading franchise.  Stifel's Municipal Securities Group includes sales, trading and underwriting of municipal and corporate tax-exempt bonds. The origination platform, Public Finance Investment Banking, works closely with borrowers including state and local governments, while the trading desk interfaces with buy side customers.  The High Yield desk trades securities in the low investment grade and non-rated categories across many sectors, including real estate development, charter schools, utilities, P3, project finance, corporate tax-exempts and distressed situations. 

The successful candidate will work directly with the head of High Yield Municipal Trading and will interact with team members across the fixed income platform, including Municipal Capital Markets and Public Finance. This position supports the secondary market trading business group and serves as a critical bridge between secondary market liquidity and our industry-leading Public Finance Origination department, ensuring seamless execution and comprehensive coverage for high yield municipal credits. A candidate in this role would be expected to grow into an increasingly senior role in fixed income trading, sales or credit analysis.

What We're Looking For
  • Trade Support: Provide end-to-end support for the High Yield Municipal Trading desk, including trade entry, hedge monitoring, and reconciliation of daily activity.
  • Credit & Information Posting: Maintain real-time internal posts regarding desk positions, bids-wanted, and specific credit developments to keep the broader Fixed Income Capital Markets team informed.
  • Bid List Management: Organize and run bid/offer lists, tracking competitive outcomes and providing the desk with actionable data on market clearing levels.
  • Phone Coverage: Act as a primary point of contact for broker-dealers and internal sales desks, handling high-volume inquiries with speed and professional rigor.
  • Origination Synergy: Collaborate closely with the Public Finance Origination department to provide market feedback on new-issue pricing and structures, helping to market and execute new municipal bond issues.
  • Credit Analysis: Update and maintain financial models to analyze credit projections for a variety of debt structures.
  • Market Analysis: Collect and synthesize data relating to high yield fund flows, high yield supply, default rates, rating changes, and credit spreads to inform a macro view on high yield market technicals and fundamentals.
What You'll Bring
  • Technical Proficiency: Advanced Excel skills (financial modeling, VLOOKUPs, Pivot Tables) and familiarity with Bloomberg terminals are highly preferred.
  • Communication: Exceptional verbal communication skills are required for high-pressure phone interactions and cross-departmental collaboration.
  • Attributes: Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment, high attention to detail, and a deep interest in the municipal "high yield" and "distressed" sectors.
Education & Experience
  • Minimum Required: Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, or a related quantitative field.
  • Minimum Required: 0-2 years of experience in fixed income, preferably with exposure to municipal bonds, high yield credit, or trading desk operations.
Licenses & Credentials
  • Minimum Required: Possession of FINRA Series 7, 63, and 52 (Municipal Securities Representative) licenses is expected to occur within the first year.
Systems & Technology
  • Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook
Compensation RangeSalary: USD $85,000.00/Yr. - USD $95,000.00/Yr. Actual salaries may vary, and may be based on several factors, including but not limited to each candidate's qualifications, skills, and overall competencies for the position. The base salary is one component of Stifel's overall compensation package for each individual employee. Other benefits and offerings include, but not limited to, discretionary bonuses, health / dental / vision / prescription insurance offerings, Stifel Total Health Connect, flexible spending accounts, tuition & certification assistance programs, paid time off, and much, much more! To view a more comprehensive list of Stifel's current offerings, please visit https://www.stifel.com/careers/benefits. Applications are accepted until the position is filled.About Stifel

Stifel is more than 130 years old and still thinking like a start-up.  We are a global wealth management and investment banking firm serious about innovation and fresh ideas.  Built on a simple premise of safeguarding our clients' money as if it were our own, coined by our namesake, Herman Stifel, our success is intimately tied to our commitment to helping families, companies, and municipalities find their own success.

While our headquarters is in St. Louis, we have offices in New York, San Francisco, Baltimore, London, Frankfurt, Toronto, and more than 400 other locations.  Stifel is home to approximately 9,000 individuals who are currently building their careers as financial advisors, research analysts, project managers, marketing specialists, developers, bankers, operations associates, among hundreds more.  Let's talk about how you can find your place here at Stifel, where success meets success.

At Stifel we offer an entrepreneurial environment, comprehensive benefits package to include health, dental and vision care, 401k, wellness initiatives, life insurance, and paid time off.

Stifel is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Employment Type: FULL_TIME


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