Head to head
IMC Trading vs Susquehanna (SIG)
IMC Trading or Susquehanna (SIG)?
IMC Trading is a market maker headquartered in Amsterdam; Susquehanna (SIG) is a market maker headquartered in Philadelphia. On indicative total compensation Susquehanna (SIG) sits roughly 3 percentage points higher against the market median. The larger difference for most candidates is the work itself: options market making and equities at IMC Trading, versus options market making and volatility at Susquehanna (SIG).
| IMC Trading | Susquehanna (SIG) | |
|---|---|---|
| Business model | Market maker | Market maker |
| Headquarters | Amsterdam | Philadelphia |
| Founded | 1989 | 1987 |
| Comp vs market median | +5% | +8% |
| Offices | Amsterdam, Chicago, Singapore, Hong Kong, London, Sydney, Mumbai | New York, Chicago, London, Hong Kong, Singapore |
| Strategies | Options market making, Equities, Systematic trading | Options market making, Volatility, Equities, Sports and event pricing |
| Hires for | Quant Trader, Quant Developer, HFT / Low-Latency Engineer | Quant Trader, Quant Researcher, Quant Developer |
| Interview stages | 3 | 3 |
| Typical backgrounds | Quantitative undergraduates, Computer science, Physics | Mathematics graduates, Poker and games, Economics and statistics |
Compensation by role
Indicative mid-level total compensation, US dollars, New York reference market.
| Role | IMC Trading | Susquehanna (SIG) |
|---|---|---|
| Quant Researcher | - | $450k |
| Quant Trader | $390k | $430k |
| Quant Developer | $300k | $350k |
| HFT / Low-Latency Engineer | $360k | - |
A dash means we hold no indicative figure for that role at that firm. It is recorded as unknown rather than estimated.
IMC Trading
Long-established market maker with a technology-led approach and a reputation for a more balanced culture than some peers, while remaining highly competitive on compensation.
Interview process
- 1. AssessmentNumerical reasoning and logic.
- 2. Technical interviewProbability, options and programming depending on track.
- 3. FinalTrading simulation and team interviews.
Susquehanna (SIG)
Decision-theory and game-theory driven culture, famous for teaching poker as part of trader development. Strong graduate training and a distinctive approach to probabilistic reasoning.
Interview process
- 1. ScreenNumerical and logic assessment.
- 2. Probability roundsGame theory, expected value and betting scenarios.
- 3. On-sitePoker-style decision exercises and trading games.
Markets where both compete for talent
Other comparisons
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.
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