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Volatility Trader Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

PIMCO

Associate, Short Term Trader

Newport Beach, CA · On-site

$17 - $22.50/hr

Strong trading and/or portfolio management background, broadly including corporate bonds, US and ... Maintains composure and objectivity during periods of market volatility, whether optimistic or ...

PIMCO

Associate, Short Term Trader

Newport Beach, CA · On-site

$17 - $22.50/hr

Strong trading and/or portfolio management background, broadly including corporate bonds, US and ... Maintains composure and objectivity during periods of market volatility, whether optimistic or ...

Formfactor

Senior Capacity Planner

Livermore, CA

Design and execute advanced scenario modeling (e.g., demand volatility, NPI ramps, tool availability, labor constraints), providing data-driven recommendations with clear trade-offs (cost, service ...

De Circle

Odos - Backend Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

Odos (odos.xyz) is a smart order routing (SOR) solution that allows users to trade digital assets ... Redis for cache and volatile data storage * Smart Contract Development * Experience with EVM smart ...

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All JobsVolatility Trader JobsVolatility Trader Jobs in California

Volatility Trader information

See California salary details

$5

$42

$55

How much do volatility trader jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for volatility trader in California is $42.83, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $32.50 and $54.09 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.
What are popular job titles related to Volatility Trader jobs in California? For Volatility Trader jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Volatility Trader jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Volatility Trader jobs in California are:
Volatility Trader jobs near you
Infographic showing various Volatility Trader job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $89,081 per year, or $42.8 per hour.
Associate, Short Term Trader

Associate, Short Term Trader

PIMCO

Newport Beach, CA • On-site

$17 - $22.50/hr

Full-time

Posted 6 days ago

Job description

PIMCO is a global leader in active fixed income with deep expertise across public and private markets. We invest our clients' capital across a range of fixed income and credit opportunities, leveraging our decades of experience navigating complex debt markets. Our flexible capital base and deep relationships with issuers have helped us become one of the world's largest providers of traditional and nontraditional solutions for companies that need financing and investors who seek strong risk-adjusted returns.
Since 1971, our people have shaped our organization through a high-performance inclusive culture, in which we celebrate diverse thinking. We invest in our people and strive to imprint our CORE values of Collaboration, Openness, Responsibility and Excellence. We believe each of us is here to help others succeed and this has led to PIMCO being recognized as an innovator, industry thought leader and trusted advisor to our clients.
PIMCO is currently searching for a Trader focused on short-duration credit, structured product, and traditional liquidity management asset classes. This individual will work with and report to the Head of PIMCO's short term desk and likely be based in our Newport Beach, California Head Office.
RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Strong trading and/or portfolio management background, broadly including corporate bonds, US and non-US Agency/Supranational securities, and asset-backed securities. Understanding of short-term risk markets, operational fundamentals, and theoretical portfolio construction capabilities as well as a solid macroeconomic foundation are essential.
  • Understanding of collateral/repo trading, with potential to manage aspects of daily trading of US Treasury and Credit/Structured Product Funding Book an added consideration.
  • Initial responsibilities will be focused on managing daily trading of liquidity/short-dated assets for portfolios, but will evolve to support portfolio construction and product development.
  • Assist with cash management and short-duration mandate optimization efforts, as well as a global cash optimization efficiency.
  • Generate alpha-adding ideas in real time across multiple products.
POSITION REQUIREMENTS
  • Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree is a significant advantage.
  • Strong academic credentials and a track record of achievement.
  • 2-4 years of relevant work experience.
  • In-depth knowledge of fixed income products, particularly liquidity products and short-dated credit opportunities.
  • Proven ability to generate innovative ideas and strategies to enhance portfolio returns while mitigating risk.
  • Extensive experience with both operational processes and execution.
  • Demonstrated ability to serve as a liaison between different teams.
  • Experience from either the sell-side, buy-side, or both is preferred.
  • Strong analytical and quantitative skills, with the ability to identify interconnected market opportunities and devise strategies to capitalize on them.
  • Solid understanding of macroeconomics and the factors influencing economic trends.
  • Collaborative approach to working across the organization.
  • Exceptional communication skills, both within the organization and with external stakeholders.
  • Ambitious, competitive, and possesses a strong work ethic.
  • Balances strong convictions with a low-ego approach.
  • Maintains composure and objectivity during periods of market volatility, whether optimistic or pessimistic.
  • Upholds the highest standards of ethics and integrity.
PIMCO follows a total compensation approach when rewarding employees which includes a base salary and a discretionary bonus. Base salary is the fixed component of compensation that is determined by core job responsibilities, relevant experience, internal level, and market factors. The discretionary bonus is used to award performance and therefore is determined by company, business, team, and individual performance.
Salary Range: $ 135,000.00 - $ 150,000.00
Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Statement
PIMCO recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, national origin, ancestry, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity and expression), age, military or veteran status, disability (physical or mental), any factor prohibited by law, and as such affirms in policy and practice to support and promote the concept of equal employment opportunity and affirmative action, in accordance with all applicable federal, state, provincial and municipal laws. The company also prohibits discrimination on other basis such as medical condition, or marital status under applicable laws.
Applicants with Disabilities
PIMCO is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. We provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities, including veterans, in job application procedures. If you have any difficulty using our online system due to a disability and you would like to request an accommodation, you may contact us at 949-720-7744 and leave a message. This is a dedicated line designed exclusively to assist job seekers with disabilities to apply online. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.

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