What is the average salary of a proprietary trader?
As of Apr 14, 2024, the average annual pay for a Proprietary Trader in the United States is $101,533 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $48.81 an hour. This is the equivalent of $1,952/week or $8,461/month.
Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | |
---|---|---|
Top Earners | $101,500 | $49 |
75th Percentile | $96,000 | $46 |
Average | $76,005 | $37 |
25th Percentile | $46,500 | $22 |
The salary of a prop trader can vary greatly depending on several factors such as experience, performance, and the size of the firm. On average, a junior prop trader can expect to earn anywhere between $50,000 to $100,000 per year, while a senior trader can make upwards of $500,000 annually.
The national average salary for a Proprietary trader is ₹42,500 in India.
Proprietary trading has many appealing aspects over a traditional money management career. Autonomy is one of the biggest reasons traders seek out prop firms. Prop traders can operate under their own rules-based system using the fund's capital, not money from outside investors.
Senior Traders often earn between $500K and $1 million, and Partners can earn over $1 million per year. Base salaries do not necessarily change that much as you move up, so most of these gains come from increased bonuses.
Prohibition on Proprietary Trading
The prohibition against proprietary trading applies not only to banks themselves but also to bank holding companies. Proprietary trading here is very broad, including almost all securities, derivatives, and futures.
Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | |
---|---|---|
Top Earners | $192,500 | $16,041 |
75th Percentile | $181,000 | $15,083 |
Average | $101,533 | $8,461 |
25th Percentile | $57,500 | $4,791 |
Since proprietary trading uses the firm's own money rather than funds belonging to its clients, prop traders can take on greater levels of risk without having to answer to clients.
According to it, 4% of traders, on average, pass prop firm challenges. But only 1% of traders kept their funded accounts for a reasonable amount of time. While this result is not nearly as bad as the one discussed earlier, it still looks bleak for prospective prop traders. But why is the percentage of failure so high?
Can prop traders work from home?
You can get a remote job as a proprietary trader with a background in finance, economics, mathematics, or business. The minimum qualifications typically include trading or investing experience, but many employers are willing to train proprietary traders with very little experience.
Prop trading firms are less heavily regulated than regular brokerages and broker-dealers. However, if such laws apply, you must still properly register your business and get licensed.
Limited Control Over Capital and Payouts:
- Traders in prop firms often have limited control over the firm's capital. They may need to deposit their own money as collateral or risk management. - Additionally, payouts are subject to the firm's rules, which may restrict a trader's access to profits.
Profits from trades are generally divided between the firm and the prop trader; however, the risk distribution is asymmetric. This means that in the event of a loss, the trader bears 100% of the losses, while they don't receive 100% of the profits.
There are a lot of proprietary trading firms out there, and it's often difficult for traders to know where they should turn in the prop trading market.
Key Takeaways
The Volcker Rule prohibits banks from using their own accounts for short-term proprietary trading of securities, derivatives, and commodity futures, as well as options on any of these instruments.
To become a proprietary trader, earn a bachelor's degree in finance, business, or mathematics. Complete at least one internship with a trading firm to learn about the finance industry and make professional connections. Apply for an entry-level proprietary trader role.
The Volcker Rule generally restricts banking entities from engaging in proprietary trading and from owning, sponsoring, or having certain relationships with a hedge fund or private equity fund.
Prop traders spend long hours learning and building their skills as a trader. Later on, they might work 5, 9, or 12 hours a day, depending on their strategy and the market environment.
FTMO is one of the leading prop firms globally, offering traders the opportunity to trade with a funded account. It has a reputation for high-quality education, rigorous evaluation process, and excellent customer support. In Nigeria, FTMO is a top choice for traders looking to take their trading to the next level.
How are prop traders taxed?
Profitable independent contractor (IC) proprietary traders receive a 1099-MISC for “non-employee compensation.” Sole proprietors use a Schedule C to report fee revenue and deduct their business expenses, including home-office deductions, if they qualify.
Without a trading plan, retail traders are more likely to trade randomly, inconsistently, and irrationally. Another reason why retail traders lose money is that they do not have an asymmetrical risk-reward ratio.
According to FTMO statistics, only about 10% of traders are able to pass the funded account challenge at any account level. This means approximately 90% of aspiring funded traders fail the evaluation and are unable to gain access to the firm's capital.
Prop firms that give traders demo capital mirror the business models of pyramid schemes, making those a much higher risk. To limit these risks, work with a reputable, established prop firm that funds traders with real money.
Some professional traders make a living from day trading. If you enjoy this strategy enough and make it work for you, it could become your primary profession.
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