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Volatility Trader Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Simplex Trading

Volatility Trader

Chicago, IL

Position Summary As a Volatility Trader at Simplex, you will take an analytical approach to identifying market opportunities with favorable risk-reward profiles with the goal of generating trade ...

Simplex Trading

Volatility Trader

Chicago, IL · On-site

$150K - $200K/yr

Position Summary As a Volatility Trader at Simplex, you will take an analytical approach to identifying market opportunities with favorable risk-reward profiles with the goal of generating trade ...

IMC

Index Options Volatility Trader

Chicago, IL

Monitor and react to flow patterns, volatility shifts, and liquidity changes across index products * Collaborate with traders to manage the risk of a large book as a team * Work closely with our best ...

IMC

Index Options Volatility Trader

Chicago, IL · On-site

$250K/yr

Monitor and react to flow patterns, volatility shifts, and liquidity changes across index products * Collaborate with traders to manage the risk of a large book as a team * Work closely with our best ...

IMC

Senior Equity Options Volatility Trader

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

... volatility space. IMC is highly collaborative between traders, quants, and developers so the scope of responsibility involves working with others to identify and describe mispricings, interact with ...

IMC

Senior Equity Options Volatility Trader

Chicago, IL · On-site

$175K - $250K/yr

Passionate about understanding volatility dynamics and willing to immediately act on your opinions to capture market opportunities. * In tune with the fundamental drivers of stocks we trade and can ...

DV Trading

Trader

New York, NY

$160K/yr

Analyze market structure, volatility dynamics, and relative value opportunities to generate alpha * Leverage DV Trading's trading technology and infrastructure to expand your trading business

DV Trading

Trader

Chicago, IL

$160K/yr

Analyze market structure, volatility dynamics, and relative value opportunities to generate alpha * Leverage DV Trading's trading technology and infrastructure to expand your trading business

DV Trading

Trader

New York, NY · On-site

$160K/yr

Analyze market structure, volatility dynamics, and relative value opportunities to generate alpha * Leverage DV Trading's trading technology and infrastructure to expand your trading business

DV Trading

Trader

Chicago, IL · On-site

$160K/yr

Analyze market structure, volatility dynamics, and relative value opportunities to generate alpha * Leverage DV Trading's trading technology and infrastructure to expand your trading business

DV Trading

Trader

New York, NY

$160K/yr

Analyze market structure, volatility dynamics, and relative value opportunities to generate alpha * Leverage DV Trading's trading technology and infrastructure to expand your trading business

DV Trading

Trader

Chicago, IL · On-site

$160K/yr

Analyze market structure, volatility dynamics, and relative value opportunities to generate alpha * Leverage DV Trading's trading technology and infrastructure to expand your trading business

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Volatility Trader information

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How much do volatility trader jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for volatility trader in the United States is $43.40, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $32.93 and $54.81 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges Volatility Traders face when managing risk in dynamic markets?

Volatility Traders often contend with rapidly changing market conditions, which can make accurate pricing and hedging of options particularly challenging. Managing risk requires constant monitoring of market volatility, adjusting positions quickly, and using sophisticated models to predict price movements. Additionally, traders must stay informed about macroeconomic events and news that can cause sudden spikes in volatility. Effective communication with risk managers and other trading team members is essential to manage exposures and ensure compliance with firm-wide risk limits.

What is the difference between Volatility Trader vs Options Trader?

AspectVolatility TraderOptions Trader
Required CredentialsFinance degree, CFA or FRM often preferredFinance degree, CFA, options trading certifications
Work EnvironmentTrading desks, quantitative teams, financial firmsTrading floors, financial institutions, hedge funds
Industry UsageSpecializes in volatility products and strategiesHandles a broad range of options and derivatives

While both roles involve trading financial instruments, a Volatility Trader focuses specifically on volatility-related products and strategies, often using quantitative models. An Options Trader handles a wider array of options and derivatives, including strategies beyond volatility. The roles overlap in skills and environment but differ in scope and focus.

Is volatility trading profitable?

Volatility trading can be profitable for traders who have strong analytical skills, risk management strategies, and access to advanced trading tools. However, it involves significant risk due to market unpredictability and requires a deep understanding of derivatives and market behavior. Success depends on skill, experience, and disciplined execution.

What does a volatility trader do?

A volatility trader analyzes and trades financial instruments based on expected changes in market volatility, often using options and derivatives. They develop strategies to profit from fluctuations in market prices and may use quantitative models and trading platforms to execute their trades.

Which broker can I trade volatility with?

Volatility traders typically use brokers that offer access to options and derivatives markets, such as Interactive Brokers, TD Ameritrade, or Thinkorswim. These brokers provide advanced trading platforms, margin accounts, and tools necessary for executing volatility strategies. It's important to verify that the broker is regulated and offers the specific products you need for volatility trading.

Why do traders love volatility?

Volatility traders, including those in roles like volatility trader, thrive on market fluctuations because they can profit from price swings through strategies such as options trading and derivatives. High volatility creates more trading opportunities and potential for significant gains, making it attractive for traders skilled in risk management and technical analysis.

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

To thrive as a Volatility Trader, you need strong quantitative analysis skills, a deep understanding of financial markets and derivatives, and typically a degree in finance, mathematics, or a related field. Familiarity with trading platforms, programming languages like Python or R, and risk management systems is essential. Exceptional decision-making under pressure, attention to detail, and effective communication are standout soft skills. These abilities are critical for accurately assessing market risk, executing complex strategies, and ensuring profitability in highly dynamic trading environments.

What are Volatility Traders?

Volatility traders are financial professionals who specialize in trading instruments that profit from changes in market volatility rather than the direction of price movements. They often use derivatives like options, futures, or volatility indices to take positions based on their forecasts of how much an asset's price will fluctuate. Their strategies may involve complex mathematical models and risk management techniques to hedge or exploit changing market conditions. Volatility traders are commonly found in investment banks, hedge funds, and proprietary trading firms.
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Volatility Trader jobs near you
Infographic showing various Volatility Trader job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 98% Full Time, 1% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 69% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 29% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $90,263 per year, or $43.4 per hour.
Volatility Trader

Volatility Trader

Simplex Trading

Chicago, IL

Other

Re-posted 14 days ago

Job description

Position Summary

As a Volatility Trader at Simplex, you will take an analytical approach to identifying market opportunities with favorable risk-reward profiles with the goal of generating trade ideas and enhancing our core market making pricing systems.  We expect that you have experience thinking about volatility valuation through a variety of lenses, including analysis of implied-vs-realized, term structure and event pricing, skew surface dynamics, and relative value or cross-asset relationships.  You will manage discretionary positions and work closely with our existing market making team to create systematic pricing overlays and improve hedging, risk management, and edge capture.

Key Responsibilities
  • Conduct research to identify market dislocations, mispricings, or other trading opportunities in the volatility space.
  • Monitor and manage live positions with a focus on order flow dynamics and counterparty behavior.
  • Work closely with Simplex's core market making team to develop systematic approaches to volatility valuation or pricing overlays.
  • Continuously improve the firm's toolset for volatility research, risk management, and P&L attribution.
  • Clearly communicate and document research methodology and trading decisions for collaboration and review.
Required Qualifications
  • Minimum 3-5 years of professional experience in a volatility trading/research or portfolio management role.
  • Demonstrated track record of generating and executing profitable trading ideas.
  • Strong practical foundation in options theory and Bayesian statistics/probability.
  • Strong analytical judgment under uncertainty; able to operate decisively under constraints.
  • Precise technical communication skills; able to concisely present conclusions and articulate associated inputs, assumptions, and process.
  • Sufficient technical skills to independently interface with data and prototype research ideas.

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