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What is an options trader and how to become one
An options trader is a financial professional who works with the stock market. They work with clients and help them to invest in different stock options, which are contracts that give an owner of the stock the right to buy or sell the stock at a fixed price for a certain period of time. Options traders may work exclusively for themselves or a company.
Options traders must be extremely knowledgeable and skillful when it comes to the options market. Trading in options is often a lot riskier than trading in stocks, as options have a greater potential for large losses than traditional stocks do. This means an options trader must be savvy on the options market and be able to perform market forecasting that can help limit a client's risks and maximize their profits.
Options traders come in four different categories. Retail investors are options traders who buy and sell options with their own money for profit. Industrial traders are options traders who perform the job for large financial entities like mutual funds and hedge funds.
Broker-dealers facilitate option trades on behalf of a company and its client base. Market makers are required to make bids and offers on the options traded on specific securities; therefore, market makers provide liquidity in the options marketplace.
Though it is possible to be a self-taught options trader, many who work for large financial firms possess either a bachelor's degree or master's degree in finance, economics, business, or another related field. Many also have to pass complex financial exams to gain certifications in the field. Examples of these exams include the Securities Industries Essential exam, and the Series 6 and Series 7 exams.
Avg. Salary $110,139
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth Rate 10%
Growth Rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.21%
Asian 12.21%
Black or African American 5.44%
Hispanic or Latino 11.28%
Unknown 4.12%
White 66.73%
Genderfemale 9.20%
male 90.80%
Age - 43American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 43Stress level is very high
7.1 - high
Complexity Level is advanced
7 - challenging
Work Life balance is poor
6.4 - fair
Options Trader career paths
Key steps to become an options trader
Explore options trader education requirements
Start to develop specific options trader skills
Skills 
Percentages FX 32.16% Stock Options 16.62% Equities 10.93% Stock Market 5.46% Risk Management Strategies 3.20% Research options trader duties and responsibilities
- Enact, and manage equity block desk operation and set up floor broker network on NYSE.
- Create VBA applications to automate basic trading functions and administration functions such as reorganization tenders and trade pricing issues.
- Manage business, sales, marketing, international negotiation and communication for a commodities business.
- Trade options profitably on screen markets and trade complex option spreads via telephone brokers at the CBOE and CME.
Get options trader experience
Prepare your options trader resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your options trader resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an options trader resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose From 10+ Customizable Options Trader Resume templates
Build a professional Options Trader resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Options Trader resume.
Apply for options trader jobs
Now it's time to start searching for an options trader job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How Did You Land Your First Options Trader Job
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Average options trader salary
The average Options Trader salary in the United States is $110,139 per year or $53 per hour. Options trader salaries range between $65,000 and $185,000 per year.
What Am I Worth?
How do options traders rate their job?
Options Trader reviews
Flexible job to do other things during the day
You have to be careful or you could lose money
You get on the phone and give yourself a raise
Like the money and bonus opportunity
The politics Sux balls ... Working in corp America with general population is horrible. The maturity level is really low
Updated January 8, 2025
