How To Become A Real Time Trader: What It Is and Career Path

What is a real time trader and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

A real-time trader is an individual who monitors financial markets and trades stocks are shares over a very short time. They place trades, and in some cases, rely on stockbrokers to make purchase decisions based on a company's needs and policies. These individuals perform research and market analyses to discover new markets and develop new sales and purchase strategies. Real-time traders are also responsible for making a well-informed stock purchase and selling decisions that benefit their clients.

Most real-time traders have a bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, or business; however, an advanced degree is not necessary to pursue a career in this field. A real-time trader should possess strong skills in math, communications, finance and be adept at using computers and related financial software.

A real-time trader can make up to $102,000 annually, and the field is expected to grow 4% by 2028.

ScoreReal Time TraderUS Average

Salary

7.7

Avg. Salary $104,519

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

7.3

Growth rate 10%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

7.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.38%

Asian 5.50%

Black or African American 6.59%

Hispanic or Latino 15.80%

Unknown 4.03%

White 67.69%

Gender

female 30.24%

male 69.76%

Age - 44

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 44

Stress level

7.3

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

9.3

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

4.8

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a real time trader

Explore real time trader education requirements

Most common real time trader degrees

Bachelor's

74.3 %

Master's

14.4 %

Associate

8.4 %

Start to develop specific real time trader skills

Skills	Percentages
NERC	21.54%
Caiso	8.98%
Ercot	8.82%
Arbitrage	7.45%
PJM	5.75%

Complete relevant real time trader training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New real time traders learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a real time trader based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real real time trader resumes.

Research real time trader duties and responsibilities

Manage generation and load hourly in SERC.
Procure gas on WBI and manage power costs against CIG and Cheyenne gas markets.
Manage generation and contract resources for members and clients in the CAISO, SPP, and WECC.
Manage risk and ensure delivery of power positions in NEISO and NYISO to protect and enhance value.

Prepare your real time trader resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your real time trader resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a real time trader resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable real time trader resume templates

Build a professional real time trader resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your real time trader resume.