Overview
Quantitative finance sits at the intersection of advanced mathematics, statistics, and financial markets. Quants build and deploy models for derivative pricing, algorithmic trading, portfolio optimization, and risk management. The field demands mastery of stochastic calculus, probability theory, and numerical methods — along with strong programming skills in Python and C++.
A Day in the Life
Review overnight P&L and risk reports
Morning standup with trading desk
Calibrate volatility surface model using new market data
Code review for pricing library updates in C++
Backtest new alpha signal on 10 years of tick data
Write research note on factor model improvements
∞ Growth Outlook
Strong and stable — compensation varies widely by firm and bonus structure, with public salary estimates showing especially high total compensation in quantitative analyst roles.
Recommended Courses
Required Skills
Top Employers
- Citadel
- Two Sigma
- D.E. Shaw
- Goldman Sachs
- Jane Street
- Renaissance Technologies
Salary Range
$130K–$300K
per year, US market
Source: Glassdoor quantitative analyst compensation estimates