Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents (a career category that includes traders) earned median annual salaries of $75,900 in May 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Earnings ranged from less than $45,420 to $212,800 or more. Highly skilled and experienced traders can earn more than $500,000 a year.
ZipRecruiter.com reported that, in February 2025, derivatives traders earned salaries that ranged from $49,500 to $79,000 or more. They had average earnings of $64,999.
Traders usually receive benefits such as paid vacation days and sick leave, health and life insurance, and a 401(k) or another retirement savings plan. They also receive annual incentive bonuses that are tied to the profits generated by their trading group. In 2019, traders earned bonuses that reached as high as $188,000, according to PayScale.com.
- Accountants
- Auditors
- Chief Executive Officers
- Chief Financial Officers
- Commodities Brokers
- Compliance Managers
- Financial Analysts
- Financial Consultants
- Financial Institution Officers and Managers
- Financial Institution Tellers, Clerks, and Related Workers
- Financial Quantitative Analysts
- Financial Services Brokers
- Hedge Fund Investor Relations Specialists
- Hedge Fund Relationship Managers
- Investment Bankers
- Investment Banking Analysts
- Investment Banking Associates
- Investment Banking Sales Brokers
- Investment Fund Managers
- Investment Professionals
- Investment Underwriters
- Mergers and Acquisitions Attorneys
- Mutual Fund Wholesalers
- Private Bankers
- Regulatory Affairs Managers
- Regulatory Affairs Specialists
- Wealth Management Associates
- Wealth Management Investor Relations Specialists
