1

Volatility Trader Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Discretionary Trader

Chicago, IL · On-site

$36K - $42K/yr

... in highly volatile conditions. * Growth Mindset: A relentless drive to stay ahead of evolving ... Join Geneva Trading. Hybrid and in office roles located in London, Dublin, and Chicago. A fully ...

Analyze market flows, volatility, and microstructure to identify and capture trading opportunities * Refine pricing, execution, and risk management approaches to improve trading performance * Conduct ...

Hands-on experience trading financial instruments across various asset classes (Commodities, Volatility, and FX; futures experience preferred) * Strong attention to detail and operational accuracy

Optiver is growing our Systematic Volatility Trading team and looking for an exceptional Quantitative Researcher to join us in the early stages. This is a rare opportunity to help define the ...

Experienced DI Trader

Chicago, IL · On-site

$72K - $120K/yr

Consistently generate strong , risk-adjusted returns across varying macro and volatility regimes * Manage your own portfolio of active strategies and drive trading decisions * Collaborate across your ...

Showing results 41-60

Volatility Trader information

See salary details

$5

$43

$56

How much do volatility trader jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 7, 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.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a volatility trader?

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 is a volatility trader?

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.
More about Volatility Trader jobs
What cities are hiring for Volatility Trader jobs? Cities with the most Volatility Trader job openings:
What states have the most Volatility Trader jobs? States with the most job openings for Volatility Trader jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Volatility Trader jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Volatility Trader jobs are:
Infographic showing various Volatility Trader job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 3% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 76% Physical, 7% Hybrid, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $90,263 per year, or $43.4 per hour.

Discretionary Trader

Geneva Trading

Chicago, IL • On-site

$36K - $42K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 11 days ago


Job description

Founded in 1999, Geneva Trading is a premier global principal trading firm with strategically located offices in Chicago, Dublin, and London. Our relentless focus on trading excellence combined with technological innovation has equipped us with a best-in-class proprietary trading platform, enabling us to compete at the highest levels in the global markets. Rooted in a culture of integrity, collaboration, and an unwavering passion for progress, we foster an environment of personal and professional excellence. Our nimble organizational structure and entrepreneurial spirit attract top-tier talent with a passion for innovation, laying the foundation and driving our consistent success in the industry.
Experienced Discretionary Futures Trader - Chicago
Elevate Your Edge with World-Class Technology
Are you a professional futures trader whose growth is being throttled by legacy platforms or slow execution? At Geneva Trading, we don't just provide a desk; we provide a high-performance ecosystem designed to help profitable traders scale. We are seeking a select few elite discretionary traders with a proven track record to leverage our state-of-the-art technological infrastructure and global network.
Why Geneva Trading?
If you have a refined strategy but lack the tools to maximize its potential, Geneva offers the solution:
  • Proprietary Execution Edge: Access our world-class proprietary electronic trading platform, featuring unique visualization and execution tools specifically engineered for discretionary success.
  • Unrivaled Speed: Trade on a global network with co-located servers at major exchanges, allowing you to analyze, react, and execute with superior precision and accuracy.
  • Direct Developer Collaboration: Work side-by-side with a dedicated team of software developers to customize and enhance the platform around your specific strategy.
  • High-Fidelity Data: Utilize premium data resources and market analysis tools that are second to none in the industry.

The Role
  • Trade Your Strategy: Manage your own account within a global team of talented individual traders.
  • Scale and Optimize: Leverage our technology and capital to identify, research, and exploit new market opportunities that were previously out of reach.
  • Collaborative Innovation: Participate in high-level conversations regarding market fundamentals and execution techniques
  • Systematic Growth: Adopt a data-driven approach to refine and scale your existing profitable strategies.

The Ideal Candidate
We are not looking for trainees or traders on a break from the markets. We are looking for established professionals currently trading who meet the following criteria:
  • Proven Track Record: 3-5 years of experience trading discretionary intraday futures strategies within a proprietary trading firm. A minimum of Seven Figure Net annual PNL performance is a requirement or you need to be able to show that you are on track for this level of performance
  • Existing Strategy: You must arrive with a refined, profitable trading methodology and a history of consistent performance. Its preferable if your focus is on CME, ICE or Eurex markets.
  • Technical Sophistication: A desire to move beyond "off-the-shelf" retail or limited prop platforms in favor of a bespoke, high-performance environment.
  • Exceptional Discipline: An unwavering commitment to risk management, routine, and emotional control, even in highly volatile conditions.
  • Growth Mindset: A relentless drive to stay ahead of evolving market trends through continuous learning an innovation
  • Office based: We are looking for candidates to base themselves in our offices.

Are you ready to stop fighting your platform and start scaling your P&L? Join Geneva Trading.
Hybrid and in office roles located in London, Dublin, and Chicago. A fully remote option available for exceptional candidates.
Benefits and Compensation:
Base Salary Range: $36,000 - $42,000 + Eligible for bonus based on percentage of trading PnL.
The final salary determination will be dependent on the successful candidate's skills, experience, education, and qualifications. Beyond the base salary, our full-time employees receive a competitive total rewards package, including a comprehensive benefits program. Learn more about our employee incentives here: https://www.genevatrading.com/employee-incentives/
Application expected to close: 12/23/2026
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.