Financial Quantitative Analysts

Career Overview

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.

Also Known As

• Investment Strategist
• Portfolio Manager
• Quantitative Analyst
• Quantitative Equity Analyst

Alternate Job Titles

• Analyst
• Data Analyst
• Equity Analyst
• Equity Structurer
• Finance Analyst
• Financial Analyst
• Financial Engineer
• Financial Quantitative Analyst
• Investment Associate
• Investment Portfolio Control Consultant
• Investment Strategist
• Model Risk Manager
• Model Validation Analyst
• Portfolio Manager
• Predictive Modeler

What You'll Do

In this role, your typical responsibilities include:

• 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.

Knowledge You'll Use

You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:

• Mathematics
• Economics and Accounting
• Computers and Electronics

Essential Skills

Success in this career requires strong skills in:

1. Mathematics
2. Critical Thinking
3. Reading Comprehension
4. Complex Problem Solving
5. Active Listening
6. Speaking
7. Active Learning
8. Judgment and Decision Making

Key Abilities

This career requires key abilities in:

• Mathematical Reasoning
• Written Comprehension
• Oral Comprehension
• Number Facility
• Written Expression
• Deductive Reasoning
• Oral Expression
• Problem Sensitivity
• Inductive Reasoning
• Information Ordering

Work Style

People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:

• Attention to Detail
• Dependability
• Intellectual Curiosity
• Cautiousness
• Integrity

What Matters in This Career

This career tends to satisfy these work values:

• Independence
• Achievement
• Working Conditions
• Recognition
• Relationships

Education & Preparation

Typical Education: Master's Degree

Related Work Experience Needed: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years

On-the-Job Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year

Education Details: 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 Required: 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.

Technology You'll Use

Popular Technologies & Software

• Amazon Web Services AWS software
• Apache Hive
• C#
• C++
• IBM SPSS Statistics
• JavaScript
• Linux
• Microsoft Access
• Microsoft Azure software
• Microsoft Excel

Tools & Equipment

• Computer data input scanners
• Desktop computers
• Laptop computers
• Mainframe computers
• Multi-line telephone systems
• Personal computers
• Photocopying equipment

Work Environment

• E-Mail
• Spend Time Sitting
• Level of Competition
• Telephone Conversations
• Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams

Salary & Job Market

Wages reported for the broader Financial Specialists, All Other occupational group (BLS 2024), which includes Financial Quantitative Analysts.

Salary Percentile	Annual Wage
Entry-Level (10th percentile)	$46,420
Median	$80,190
Top Earners (90th percentile)	$151,780

Workers Employed Nationally: 127,450

Related Careers

If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:

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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.