Quantitative researchers and quant developers at top hedge funds and systematic trading firms earned a median of $200K with a p90 ceiling reaching $300K in 2026, based on ATS postings tracked by Recruiting from Scratch. Compensation at the top of the market consistently exceeds disclosed ranges — the firms paying the most rarely post salaries publicly.
| Firm | Median | p90 Ceiling | Roles Tracked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arrowstreet Capital | $260K | $325K | 5 |
| IMC Trading | $250K | $300K | 8 |
| Point72 | $200K | $300K | 7 |
| Chicago Trading Company | $300K | $300K | 3 |
| Old Mission Capital | $250K | $300K | 6 |
| Bracebridge Capital | $300K | $300K | 1 |
| Jump Trading | $250K | $250K | 2 |
| Tower Research Capital | $200K | $200K | 3 |
| Virtu Financial | $200K | $200K | 2 |
| Voleon Group | $200K | $200K | 1 |
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Unlike standard engineering comp, quant researcher total compensation has multiple components that can dwarf the base:
| Component | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Base salary | $200K–$350K | Floor; higher at multi-manager shops |
| Annual bonus | 50–200% of base | P&L-linked; varies with fund performance |
| Profit share / carried interest | 0–2% of attributed P&L | Senior researchers / PM level only |
| Deferred compensation | Common | 3–5 year lockup at Millennium, Balyasny |
The implication: a researcher with a $250K base at a firm delivering 20% returns on $5B AUM can earn total comp of $600K–$1.2M. The base salary figures in our dataset capture only the disclosed floor.
| Role | Focus | Typical Base | Typical Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quant Researcher | Signal discovery, model building | $250K | 80–200% |
| Quant Developer | Infrastructure, execution systems | $220K | 50–100% |
| Algorithmic Trader | Strategy execution, risk mgmt | $280K | 100–300% |
Quant research hiring at hedge funds operates almost entirely through referrals, research networks, and specialist recruiting — not job boards. The best quantitative researchers have multiple offers before they engage with most job postings. Firms that compete purely on salary are often recruiting against better-branded competitors with stronger research cultures.
The firms winning quant talent in 2026 are differentiating on three things: the quality of the research problem, the data infrastructure available, and the intellectual environment. Total comp is table stakes.
If you're a PhD quantitative researcher or quantitative developer evaluating opportunities, the salary ranges above are floor estimates — firms with strong returns and tight capital often pay significantly above disclosed ranges. The more important question is whether the research environment and problem set match your interests. The firms with the highest Sharpe ratios don't always have the highest base salaries, but the total comp and intellectual challenge can make them more valuable.
Quantitative researchers at leading hedge funds and systematic trading firms earned a median of $200K with p90 compensation reaching $300K, based on ATS postings and H1B filings tracked by Recruiting from Scratch. Actual pay at top-tier firms often exceeds public disclosures.
Top-paying firms for quantitative research include Bridgewater Associates (verified $350–600K for senior quant roles) and Voleon Group (high volume of active postings). Many high-paying firms in this space do not disclose salaries in job postings.
Most quantitative researcher roles at hedge funds require a PhD in mathematics, statistics, physics, or a quantitative engineering discipline, plus demonstrated research experience. Strong coding skills (Python, C++) and familiarity with financial data are typically required.
Quant bonuses at hedge funds are typically performance-linked, not discretionary. At multi-strategy firms (Millennium, Balyasny), bonuses are closely tied to the P&L attribution of the researcher's strategies. At macro or fundamental funds, bonuses may be more discretionary but still reflect fund-level performance. Most bonuses are paid annually, with a deferred component at larger firms.
PhD holders from top quantitative programs typically command a 20–35% premium over non-PhD quant researchers at the same firm. The premium is highest at fundamental quant research shops and lower at execution-focused trading firms where implementation skills matter more.
Most quant research hiring happens through academic networks, referrals from current researchers, and specialist recruiters — not public job boards. Firms with the strongest returns typically rely on network hiring for senior roles.
Recruiting from Scratch has experience in technical and quantitative recruiting for hedge funds and systematic trading firms. Get in touch to discuss your search.
Data from Recruiting from Scratch's market intelligence platform: active quantitative research and trading job postings across our ATS network, plus U.S. DOL H1B LCA compensation filings. Firms that do not disclose salary ranges are excluded from the quantitative analysis. Updated June 2026.
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