Financial Quantitative Analysts
SOC code 13-2099 · O*NET-SOC 13-2099.01 · Extensive preparation needed · Business and finance
Financial Quantitative Analysts pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$81,100
a year
Hourly
$38.99
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$93,810
$45.10 per hour
Middle 50%
$61,290 – $110,410
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$48,460 – $151,490
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
132,130
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
These pay and employment figures are for the broader BLS group “Financial Specialists, All Other”, not this job alone.
- 10th percentile
- $48,460
- $23.30/hr
- 25th percentile
- $61,290
- $29.47/hr
- Median percentile
- $81,100
- $38.99/hr
- 75th percentile
- $110,410
- $53.08/hr
- 90th percentile
- $151,490
- $72.83/hr
What does a financial quantitative analyst do?
Develop quantitative techniques to inform securities investing, equities investing, pricing, or valuation of financial instruments. Develop mathematical or statistical models for risk management, asset optimization, pricing, or relative value analysis.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Apply mathematical or statistical techniques to address practical issues in finance, such as derivative valuation, securities trading, risk management, or financial market regulation.
- Research or develop analytical tools to address issues such as portfolio construction or optimization, performance measurement, attribution, profit and loss measurement, or pricing models.
- Interpret results of financial analysis procedures.
- Develop core analytical capabilities or model libraries, using advanced statistical, quantitative, or econometric techniques.
- Define or recommend model specifications or data collection methods.
- Produce written summary reports of financial research results.
- Maintain or modify all financial analytic models in use.
- Provide application or analytical support to researchers or traders on issues such as valuations or data.
How to become a financial quantitative analyst
Most people in this role hold master's degree — 60% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 5 — Extensive preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Master's Degree60%
- Bachelor's Degree35%
- Doctoral Degree5%
Common questions
How much does a financial quantitative analyst earn?
The national median is $81,100 a year. The full range runs from $48,460 at the 10th percentile to $151,490 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a financial quantitative analyst without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 5, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree). The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Mathematics4.4/5
- Critical Thinking4.1/5
- Reading Comprehension4.0/5
- Active Listening3.8/5
- Speaking3.8/5
- Active Learning3.8/5
- Writing3.5/5
Knowledge areas
- Mathematics4.6/5
- Economics and Accounting4.2/5
- Computers and Electronics3.7/5
- English Language3.0/5
- Engineering and Technology2.7/5
Transferable strengths: Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making, Systems Analysis.