Markets
Is San Francisco a good place to work as a quant?
KnowQuant research deskUpdated 1 September 2026Method 2026.1
Short answer
San Francisco ranks #7 of 17 in our quant hiring index, rated strong for opportunity, with a quant researcher median of $451k.
The Bay Area quant market is smaller than New York's but distinctive: it draws candidates who could equally take a research role at an AI lab, and firms compete directly with big technology on compensation and problem interest. Crypto and digital-asset trading firms form a meaningful share of demand. Expect stronger ML depth and weaker traditional derivatives coverage than the East Coast.
Demand concentrates in ai/ml-heavy quant research, crypto, data and engineering. The employers our desk tracks in the market are citadel, jane-street, two-sigma, hrt, running ml-driven alpha, crypto / digital assets, statistical arbitrage.
Right to work: The same US routes apply as in New York, in a market that competes with large technology employers for the same candidates. Check the current official US guidance and confirm sponsorship with the employer.
Go deeper
Cite these figures
KnowQuant Quant Compensation Benchmark, Q3 2026 edition, method 2026.1. https://www.know-quant.com/answers/is-san-francisco-a-good-place-to-work-as-a-quant
Free to quote and republish with attribution and a link to the source page, under our terms. Method 2026.1, last reviewed 1 September 2026. The methodology sets out how each band is built and what it excludes.
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More on markets
Is London or New York better for a quant career?
New York pays more in gross terms, with a quant researcher median of $475k against £319k in London, but London gives broader access to European markets and easier visa routes for many candidates.
Is New York a good place to work as a quant?
New York ranks #1 of 17 in our quant hiring index, rated exceptional for opportunity, with a quant researcher median of $475k.
Is London a good place to work as a quant?
London ranks #2 of 17 in our quant hiring index, rated exceptional for opportunity, with a quant researcher median of £319k.
Is Chicago a good place to work as a quant?
Chicago ranks #3 of 17 in our quant hiring index, rated exceptional for opportunity, with a quant researcher median of $461k.
Is Singapore a good place to work as a quant?
Singapore ranks #4 of 17 in our quant hiring index, rated very strong for opportunity, with a quant researcher median of S$522k.
Is Hong Kong a good place to work as a quant?
Hong Kong ranks #5 of 17 in our quant hiring index, rated very strong for opportunity, with a quant researcher median of HK$3.1m.
Methodology
Figures are expressed as annual total compensation (base salary plus expected performance bonus) in the reference market's local currency, converted from a US dollar base. They describe typical market ranges rather than any individual offer, and exclude sign-on payments, deferred equity and carried interest. Portfolio-manager figures reflect formulaic profit-share arrangements and are therefore far more dispersed than any other role.
KnowQuantIndex 2026.1 · Updated September 2026
Modelled bands describe the market, not an individual offer. Where an employer states pay, the stated figure is used and labelled as such.