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Proprietary trader vs floor trader

The differences between proprietary traders and floor traders can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a floor trader has an average salary of $102,024, which is higher than the $100,019 average annual salary of a proprietary trader.

The top three skills for a proprietary trader include technical analysis, equity markets and equities. The most important skills for a floor trader are futures markets, CME, and equity options.

Proprietary trader vs floor trader overview

Proprietary TraderFloor Trader
Yearly salary$100,019$102,024
Hourly rate$48.09$49.05
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs54133,369
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 81%Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Average age4343
Years of experience--

Proprietary trader vs floor trader salary

Proprietary traders and floor traders have different pay scales, as shown below.

Proprietary TraderFloor Trader
Average salary$100,019$102,024
Salary rangeBetween $60,000 And $165,000Between $59,000 And $174,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NY-
Highest paying stateNew York-
Best paying companyD. E. Shaw group-
Best paying industryFinance-

Differences between proprietary trader and floor trader education

There are a few differences between a proprietary trader and a floor trader in terms of educational background:

Proprietary TraderFloor Trader
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 81%Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Most common majorFinanceFinance
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Proprietary trader vs floor trader demographics

Here are the differences between proprietary traders' and floor traders' demographics:

Proprietary TraderFloor Trader
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 95.7% Female, 4.3%Male, 94.8% Female, 5.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 11.6% Asian, 12.5% White, 66.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 5.6% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 11.7% Asian, 11.2% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between proprietary trader and floor trader duties and responsibilities

Proprietary trader example responsibilities.

  • Manage business, sales, marketing, international negotiation and communication for a commodities business.
  • Perform qualitative research on potential risk arbitrage positions and subjectively choose equities for inclusion in a risk arbitrage portfolio.
  • Research market strategies and trends using Bloomberg.
  • Develop quantitative driven proprietary models by Bloomberg BLP / API and VBA programming.
  • Research and develop convertible bond pricing application for convertible arbitrage trades.
  • Assess market conditions within the equities market in order to maximize profitability.
  • Show more

Floor trader example responsibilities.

  • Manage business, sales, marketing, international negotiation and communication for a commodities business.
  • Lead arbitrage trader with the highest return on investment.
  • Demonstrate outstanding performance and become recognized as one of the top producing firms on the NYSE.
  • Facilitate trades, generate commission dollars, and reduce risk for clients by reflecting liquidity on the NYSE to senior traders.
  • Automate the trade allocation and reconciliation procedures using VBA programming which is leveraged to systematically detect any trade breaks or discrepancies.
  • Integrate into an existing trading pit on the CBOE, illustrating success in new, challenging work environments.

Proprietary trader vs floor trader skills

Common proprietary trader skills
  • Technical Analysis, 12%
  • Equity Markets, 10%
  • Equities, 9%
  • Financial Markets, 8%
  • Portfolio, 8%
  • Fundamental Analysis, 4%
Common floor trader skills
  • Futures Markets, 31%
  • CME, 7%
  • Equity Options, 7%
  • NYSE, 6%
  • Futures Contracts, 6%
  • Manage Risk, 5%