Commodity Trader

Impact: Financial

Execute buy and sell transactions of raw materials and primary agricultural products, leveraging market analysis, economic indicators, and geopolitical insights to optimize profits and manage risk in fast-paced financial markets.

What the day looks like

People interaction
Extensive
Team vs solo
60% Team / 40% Solo
Client facing
Frequent
Impact visibility
Very High
Travel
Limited
Schedule flexibility
Structured
Remote work
Hybrid
Typical work hours
50-60 hours/week
Stress level
High

At a glance

Median salary
$120,000
Entry-level
$70,000
Senior
$250,000+
Growth by 2033
5%
Demand
Stable
Freelance potential
Low
Salary growth potential
Very High
Typical student debt
$30,000 - $60,000

Skills you'll use

Hard skills

  • Financial Analysis
  • Market Research
  • Quantitative Analysis

Soft skills

  • Decision-making
  • Risk Management
  • Communication

Technical complexity: Very High

How to get there

Minimum education
Bachelor's Degree
Licensing
Yes
Years to mid-career
5
Years to senior
10
Career switching
Hard

Where this career leads

How people arrive here

    Where you can go from here

      Typical progression

      1. Junior Trader
      2. Trader
      3. Senior Trader
      4. Portfolio Manager / Head of Trading

      Future outlook

      Automation probability
      25%
      AI disruption risk
      Moderate
      Demand trend
      Stable

      How people feel about it

      Overall satisfaction
      4/10
      Meaning
      3.5/10
      Work-life balance
      3/10
      Prestige
      8.5/10
      Social perception
      High

      Similar careers