Commodity trader
Also known as: commodities traders, commodity exchange floor trader, commodities trader, commodity handlers, commodities trading managers, commodity exchange floor traders
About this occupation
Commodity traders use negotiation techniques to sell and buy physical goods and raw materials such as gold, cattle, oil, cotton and wheat on the trading floor. They receive and implement purchasing and selling instructions and negotiate the terms of sale and delivery of commodities. Commodity traders do research about market conditions of specific commodities, their price trends and demand in order to inform their employers, they make bid offers and calculate the cost of transactions.
Essential skills and knowledge
- perform financial risk management in international trade
- negotiate with stakeholders
- commercial law
- financial jurisdiction
- analyse market financial trends
- analyse financial risk
- financial markets
- international trade
- analyse economic trends
- economics
- negotiate sale of commodities
- handle financial transactions
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents (O*NET 41-3031.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Make bids or offers to buy or sell securities.
- Monitor markets or positions.
- Agree on buying or selling prices at optimal levels for clients.
- Keep accurate records of transactions.
- Buy or sell stocks, bonds, commodity futures, foreign currencies, or other securities on behalf of investment dealers.
- Complete sales order tickets and submit for processing of client-requested transactions.
- Typical education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 4 of 5
- Interests
- Enterprising, Conventional, Social
Top skills: Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Monitoring, Judgment and Decision Making, Reading Comprehension, Speaking
US median pay: US$78,660 a year (2025), 489,570 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- Economics or AccountingO*NET: Economics and AccountingVery important (3.9)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (3.8)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsVery important (3.7)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsVery important (3.5)
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementImportant (3.4)
- Government and PoliticsO*NET: Law and GovernmentImportant (3.1)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Financial and Investment Analysts
- Personal Financial Advisors
- Investment Fund Managers
- Brokerage Clerks
- Financial Risk Specialists
- Loan Officers
- New Accounts Clerks
- Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products
- Credit Analysts
- Real Estate Brokers
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.