Financial Quantitative Analysts
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 called: Analyst, Data Analyst, Equity Analyst, Equity Structurer, Finance Analyst, Financial Analyst
Median pay
$81,100
Pay for the broader BLS group “Financial Specialists, All Other”
Pay range (10th–90th)
$48,460 – $151,490
People employed
132,130
Whole BLS group
Holland code
ICE
Investigative · Conventional · Enterprising
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you prefer working indoors?
- 2.Do you want a job with little physical risk?
- 3.Are you comfortable sitting at a desk most of the day?
- 4.Are you happy working mostly on your own, with little contact with others?
- 5.Are you OK working more than 40 hours a week?
- 6.Would you rather not deal with customers or the public?
- 7.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
- 8.Do you want variety, with new tasks often?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
Financial Quantitative Analysts pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (49 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025, for the broader group “Financial Specialists, All Other”.
What financial quantitative analysts do
- 01Apply mathematical or statistical techniques to address practical issues in finance, such as derivative valuation, securities trading, risk management, or financial market regulation.
- 02Research or develop analytical tools to address issues such as portfolio construction or optimization, performance measurement, attribution, profit and loss measurement, or pricing models.
- 03Interpret results of financial analysis procedures.
- 04Develop core analytical capabilities or model libraries, using advanced statistical, quantitative, or econometric techniques.
- 05Define or recommend model specifications or data collection methods.
- 06Produce written summary reports of financial research results.
Skills that matter most
- Mathematics
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- Mathematics
- Economics and Accounting
- Computers and Electronics
- English Language
- Engineering and Technology
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Cautiousness
- Intellectual Curiosity
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a graduate degree (O*NET Job Zone 5).
- Related work experience: over 2 years, up to and including 4 years.
- On-the-job training: over 6 months, up to and including 1 year.
- A certification can help.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from financial quantitative analysts
- Operations Research Analysts91% · —
- Statisticians91% · —
- Business Intelligence Analysts88% · group pay
- Data Scientists88% · —
- Economists87% · —
Change into financial quantitative analysts
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Investment Fund Managers87% · $166,570
- Environmental Economists86% · $124,720
- Operations Research Analysts85% · $88,940
- Business Intelligence Analysts83% · $120,230
- Survey Researchers82% · $69,460
Majors that lead here
- Financial Mathematics
- Religious Institution Administration and Management
- Non-Profit/Public/Organizational Management
- Finance, General
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.