Job Description - Stock Trader:
A stock trader buys and sells stock on behalf of investors who may be individuals or companies. While some stock traders carry out these transactions on the floor of a stock exchange, the majority work on trading floors maintained by the security firms that employ them. It is a challenging and often stressful job that requires the ability to make decisions very quickly.
Employment Facts - Stock Trader:
There were 317,000 securities, commodities and financial services sales agents, including stock traders, employed in 2008.
Educational Requirements - Stock Trader:
To become a stock trader one must usually have a bachelor's degree in business, finance, accounting or economics.
Other Requirements - Stock Trader:
A stock trader is generally required to have a license but the type varies by firm and specialization.
Job Outlook - Stock Trader:
Employment of securities, commodities and financial services sales agents, including stock traders, is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through 2018.
Earnings - Stock Trader:
Securities, commodities and financial services sales agents, including stock traders, earned a median salary of $66,930 in 2009.
Use the Salary Wizard at Salary.com to find out how much a Stock Trader currently earns in your city.
A Day in a Stock Trader's Life:
On a typical day a stock trader's tasks might include:
- buying and selling stock at stock exchanges on behalf of investors
- analyzing companies and investment opportunities in order to make investment decisions
- devising trading strategies
- monitoring markets
- reporting trading results
- supervising support staff
Sources:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos122.htm (visited May 11, 2010).
Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, O*NET Online, Securities and Commodities Traders, on the Internet at http://online.onetcenter.org/link/details/41-3031.03 (visited December 7, 2010).
