Sales & Trading USA Hiring Outlook 2026

As firms plan for 2026, sales & trading leaders need to balance performance, technology investment, and talent retention more carefully than ever before. Strong desks remain active, but hiring decisions are increasingly tied to clear role definition, progression, and platform strength.

In this article, Paul Byrne, Director – Head of Public Markets and Commodities Trading at Selby Jennings, explains what this means for hiring strategies in 2026.

What changed in sales & trading in 2025, and how will it shape 2026?

"Cash equity and derivatives stood out as particularly strong in 2025. Earnings calls reflected that momentum and those desks have been among the busiest across the market.

"Additionally, firms have continued to invest in electronic trading, automation, and AI tools, and that focus is expected to remain strong through 2026 and beyond. 

"On the buy side, appetite to hire from the sell side slowed again, and we’ve now returned closer to pre-pandemic levels rather than the faster pace seen in recent years."

What hiring challenges will the sales & trading sector face in 2026?

"One of the hardest parts of hiring now is finding candidates who can do both sides of the job. Firms want people who can be client-facing, but also have the technical capability required to operate on modern trading platforms.

"Counter offers have also become a major issue, particularly throughout the second half of 2025 where they became much more common and exceptionally competitive. Where job movement has slowed, firms are becoming more protective of their talent, so many employers have chosen to pay more to retain people rather than risk losing revenue-generating professionals. 

"We expect this trend to continue throughout 2026, so if counter offers are disrupting your hiring plans, myself and the team at Selby Jennings can support with market insight on realistic compensation benchmarks, candidate motivation, and offer structuring, helping you secure talent without overpaying or losing candidates late in the process."

What are the hardest-to-fill sales & trading roles in 2026?

"Vice President-level hiring will remain difficult, unless the role is a promotional step, as this the most saturated part of the market. To hire a strong VP without offering a title increase, firms usually need to provide a strong guarantee and a clear path to progression to make the move worthwhile."

How should firms update their sales & trading hiring strategy for 2026?

"Focus on candidates’ skills, as well as their degrees. Proven capability, strong execution, and client impact are all incredibly important.

"Speed also matters. Working with a specialist talent partner can help you not only with sourcing and shortlisting top candidates, but also to head into the process with a clear plan and the ability to make decisions quickly. Good candidates rarely stay available for long, and a lot of missed hires come down to timing, where another firm simply moved faster and ran a smoother process."

How are candidate expectations changing in sales & trading in 2026?

"As usual, compensation and guarantees will be the biggest driver for sales & trading professionals considering new opportunities in 2026. After that, candidates look closely at the technology available on a firm’s platform, the growth potential in the seat, and the mentor they will work under. Many candidates weigh the quality of leadership and the credibility of the development path before making a move."

What will be the biggest growth areas in sales & trading in 2026? 

"Equity derivatives and cash equity desks are expected to remain active throughout 2026. Electronic trading will also continue to grow. While electronic trading has historically been strongest in FX, it is expanding more quickly in fixed income now, and banks are increasingly hiring talent from fintech firms as part of that buildout."

Where are firms increasing their sales & trading headcount in 2026?

"Quantitative investment strategies (QIS) hiring is expected to grow, especially for professionals who can combine structuring with client-facing ability. Firms want to see candidates who can evidence how they explain products clearly, support distribution, and also contribute to building or structuring solutions."

What sales & trading compensation trends will impact hiring in 2026?

"Base pay is expected to remain steady across levels for sales & trading roles throughout 2026. Bonuses for 2026 will be broadly flat, with slight year-on-year increases in areas such as equities and FX, typically in the 5 to 10% range."

For the latest base salary and bonus benchmarks, download our USA Commodities Compensation Guide, USA Sell Side Product & Marketing Compensation Guide, or NYC Sales & Trading Compensation Guide.

What’s causing sales & trading retention challenges in 2026?

"A major driver of attrition is the lack of a clear track for growth and development. This is often the main reason people start looking for a new role. As well as compensation, many sales & trading professionals move when they do not see a realistic path to promotion, leadership, or progression in their seat."

How can leaders reduce attrition risk and strengthen retention in sales & trading?

"Mentorship is one of the strongest retention levers. Analysts, associates, and VPs are far more likely to stay when they feel connected to senior leadership and know they can raise ideas or concerns they may have. Firms that invest in mentorship and leadership access tend to not only reduce unnecessary attrition but also strengthen long-term engagement."

Speak with Paul Byrne and the Selby Jennings sales & trading team

If your firm is hiring across sales and trading in 2026, request a call back from Paul Byrne and his team at Selby Jennings for support with specialist searches, hiring strategy, and compensation benchmarking. Learn more about our sales & trading talent solutions.

Sales & trading professionals exploring new opportunities can create an account and submit their resume today to access exclusive roles and tailored support from Selby Jennings’ talent experts. Browse our latest sales & trading vacancies at industry-leading firms.