Pricing, risk and model validation
Quant Analyst salary
How much does a quant analyst earn?
A quant analyst prices instruments, builds risk models and validates the models a firm trades on — most often on the sell side or in a risk function. New York total compensation typically runs from about $130,000 at entry level to $450,000 or more at senior level, with a lower bonus share than buy-side quant roles.
By city
Total compensation range and median in each market's local currency.
| Market | Currency | Range | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | USD | $125k – $700k | $230k |
| London | GBP | £88k – £491k | £161k |
| Chicago | USD | $121k – $679k | $223k |
| Singapore | SGD | S$137k – S$769k | S$253k |
| Hong Kong | HKD | HK$829k – HK$4.6m | HK$1.5m |
| Amsterdam | EUR | €85k – €477k | €157k |
| San Francisco | USD | $119k – $665k | $219k |
| Paris | EUR | €90k – €502k | €165k |
| Zurich / Geneva | CHF | CHF 99k – CHF 554k | CHF 182k |
| Dubai / Abu Dhabi | AED | AED 404k – AED 2.3m | AED 743k |
By seniority
New York reference market, US dollars. Base salary and total compensation.
| Level | Experience | Base | Total comp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst | 0-2 yrs | $100k – $140k | $125k – $200k |
| Associate | 2-5 yrs | $130k – $180k | $175k – $300k |
| VP / Senior | 5-8 yrs | $160k – $230k | $240k – $450k |
| Director / Head | 8+ yrs | $200k – $300k | $330k – $700k |
About the role
The quant analyst role is the classical derivatives-quant seat: pricing models, curve construction, risk sensitivities and model validation, typically at a bank or in a risk or treasury function. Compensation is lower and less volatile than buy-side research, and the role remains the most common entry route into the industry. A large share of buy-side researchers spent two to four years in this seat first.
Skills firms hire for
- Stochastic calculus
- Derivatives pricing
- Python
- Risk modelling
- Model validation
- C++
Typical backgrounds
- —Financial mathematics masters
- —Master El Karoui and equivalent programmes
- —Mathematics or physics PhD
- —Actuarial and risk backgrounds
Other roles
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.
KnowQaunt 2026.1 · Updated September 2026
These are indicative ranges pending first-party verification. They will be replaced by verified submissions as the Quant Salary Index dataset builds.