Quantitative finance offers some of the highest compensation in any industry. Top quant firms compete aggressively for talent, resulting in compensation packages that often dwarf those at leading tech companies.
This guide breaks down what quants actually earn across different roles, firms, and experience levels based on publicly available data and industry reports.
$300K+
Entry total comp
$700K+
Mid-level total comp
$1M+
Senior total comp
0-2 years
Entry-level salaries
New graduates and early-career quants at top firms can expect substantial compensation right out of school.
- $300-500K
Top Tier
Jane Street, Citadel, HRT
- $250-350K
Mid Tier
Two Sigma, DE Shaw
- $160-250K
Other Quant Firms
Smaller props, banks
3-7 years
Mid-level salaries
After a few years, proven performers see significant compensation growth. Variance widens, top performers at top firms pull away from the median.
- $550-950K
Top Tier
Top prop and HFT
- $350-625K
Mid Tier
Established hedge funds
- $250-425K
Other Quant Firms
Smaller shops, banks
8+ years
Senior salaries
Senior quants and partners at top firms can earn extraordinary compensation, with bonuses in good years exceeding several multiples of base salary.
- $1M-3M+
Top Tier
Partners, senior PMs
- $575K-1.2M
Mid Tier
Senior researchers, traders
- $375-700K
Other Quant Firms
Bank quants, smaller funds
Role split
Salary by role type
Quant Developer
Highest base salaries due to tech competition. C++ skills command a premium.
Entry
$250-400K
Mid
$400-700K
Senior
$700K-1.5M
Quant Researcher
Compensation tied to P&L. Enormous upside for successful researchers.
Entry
$200-350K
Mid
$400-900K
Senior
$800K-3M+
Quant Trader
Highest variance. Top traders earn 8-figure bonuses in exceptional years.
Entry
$200-400K
Mid
$500K-1.5M
Senior
$1M-10M+
Ranked
Top paying firms
How the top quant firms rank in terms of compensation:
- 1
Jane Street
Consistently highest total comp
- 2
Citadel
Top tier, especially for traders
- 3
HRT
Known for developer comp
- 4
Two Sigma
Competitive with strong benefits
- 5
DE Shaw
Strong for researchers
Note: rankings vary by role and year. Bonuses depend on firm and desk performance.
Comparison
Quant vs. Big Tech
How does quant compensation compare to FAANG / Big Tech at equivalent levels?
| Level | Quant Firms | Big Tech | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry (L3-L4) | $300-500K | $180-280K | +70% |
| Mid (L5-L6) | $500K-1M | $350-600K | +60% |
| Senior (L7+) | $1M-3M+ | $600K-1.5M | +100% |
Quant firms generally pay 30-100% more than Big Tech at equivalent levels, but with higher variance and job security risk.
Key takeaways
Three things shape what you actually take home, not just the firm name on your offer.
Bonus dominates total comp
At top quant firms, bonuses run 50-200% of base, and 3-5x base for senior performers in good years. Negotiating base alone misses most of the upside.
Role choice matters more than firm
A senior quant trader at a tier-2 fund can out-earn a senior researcher at a tier-1 fund. Pick the role whose comp profile matches your risk tolerance.
Variance is the real cost
Quant pay is higher, but jobs are less stable than Big Tech. Layoffs, performance cuts, and zero-bonus years exist. Plan cash buffers accordingly.