Life As a Securities and Commodities Trader
Occupation Description Buy and sell securities and commodities to transfer debt, capital, or risk. Establish and negotiate unit prices and terms of sale.
What Do Securities and Commodities Traders Do On a Daily Basis?
- Identify or pursue investment strategies related to the green economy, including green hedge funds, renewable energy markets, or clean technology investment opportunities.
- Write or sign sales order confirmation forms to record or approve security transactions.
- Analyze target companies or investment opportunities to inform investment decisions.
- Report all positions or trading results.
- Identify opportunities or develop channels for purchase or sale of securities or commodities.
- Buy, sell, or trade carbon emissions permits.
Qualities of a Securities & Commodities Trader
When polled, Securities and Commodities Traders say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Mathematics: Using mathematics to solve problems.
Types of Securities and Commodities Trader
- Broker
- Options Trader
- Equities Trader
- Day Trader
- Trader
Securities & Commodities Trader Job Outlook
In the United States, there were 375,700 jobs for Securities and Commodities Trader in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 6.2% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 23,200 new jobs for Securities and Commodities Trader by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 38,000 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Securities & Commodities Trader are Arizona, Utah, and Iowa. Watch out if you plan on working in Massachusetts, New Jersey, or Maine. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
How Much Does a Securities & Commodities Trader Make?
The salary for Securities and Commodities Traders ranges between about $34,360 and $208,000 a year.
Securities and Commodities Traders who work in New York, South Dakota, or Connecticut, make the highest salaries.
How much do Securities and Commodities Traders make in different U.S. states?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $82,810 |
| Alaska | $101,290 |
| Arizona | $72,750 |
| Arkansas | $74,490 |
| California | $81,610 |
| Colorado | $76,160 |
| Connecticut | $122,890 |
| Delaware | $87,390 |
| District of Columbia | $103,380 |
| Florida | $82,810 |
| Georgia | $77,000 |
| Hawaii | $85,660 |
| Idaho | $62,690 |
| Illinois | $91,640 |
| Indiana | $92,400 |
| Iowa | $75,380 |
| Kansas | $107,500 |
| Kentucky | $85,420 |
| Louisiana | $89,550 |
| Maine | $81,670 |
| Maryland | $97,570 |
| Massachusetts | $118,310 |
| Michigan | $79,320 |
| Minnesota | $104,570 |
| Mississippi | $78,220 |
| Missouri | $80,280 |
| Montana | $89,270 |
| Nebraska | $86,920 |
| Nevada | $70,480 |
| New Hampshire | $98,030 |
| New Jersey | $98,850 |
| New Mexico | $56,380 |
| New York | $161,580 |
| North Carolina | $88,810 |
| North Dakota | $100,060 |
| Ohio | $77,960 |
| Oklahoma | $78,220 |
| Oregon | $66,120 |
| Pennsylvania | $86,970 |
| Rhode Island | $100,390 |
| South Carolina | $75,120 |
| South Dakota | $113,460 |
| Tennessee | $75,610 |
| Texas | $85,720 |
| Utah | $71,460 |
| Vermont | $105,770 |
| Virginia | $90,410 |
| Washington | $79,930 |
| West Virginia | $83,930 |
| Wisconsin | $77,780 |
| Wyoming | $70,030 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Securities and Commodities Traders
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Securities and Commodities Traders:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- The MathWorks MATLAB
- Linux
- Microsoft Visual Basic
- UNIX
- R
- Customer information control system CICS
- Bloomberg Professional
- C++
How to Become a Securities & Commodities Trader
Individuals working as a Securities and Commodities Trader have obtained the following education levels:
How Long Does it Take to Become a Securities & Commodities Trader?
Where Securities and Commodities Traders Are Employed
Securities and Commodities Traders work in the following industries:
References:
Image Credit: Dave Dugdale via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic
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