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The differences between investment analysts and quantitative analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an investment analyst and a quantitative analyst. Additionally, a quantitative analyst has an average salary of $101,197, which is higher than the $79,056 average annual salary of an investment analyst.
The top three skills for an investment analyst include portfolio management, financial statements and strong analytical. The most important skills for a quantitative analyst are python, SAS, and risk management.
| Investment Analyst | Quantitative Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $79,056 | $101,197 |
| Hourly rate | $38.01 | $48.65 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 63,003 | 48,644 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
An Investment Analyst provides research and information to help traders, fund managers and stock brokers make decisions about investments. They are hired by companies, investment trusts, stock trading and brokerage firms, and insurance providers.
A quantitative analyst is trained to gather quantitative methods to help companies do business and make other related decisions. In the world of trading, quantitative analysts are in demand. It is their job as quantitative analysts to help banks value their securities. They identify cost-effective investment opportunities and measure risk. They can also work for the insurance companies to develop pricing models and assess risk evaluation strategies. Also, some quantitative analysts work on the back end to enhance computer software and to evaluate financial data.
Investment analysts and quantitative analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Investment Analyst | Quantitative Analyst | |
| Average salary | $79,056 | $101,197 |
| Salary range | Between $44,000 And $140,000 | Between $68,000 And $148,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | New York | New York |
| Best paying company | The Citadel | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Telecommunication | Technology |
There are a few differences between an investment analyst and a quantitative analyst in terms of educational background:
| Investment Analyst | Quantitative Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Most common major | Finance | Finance |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Notre Dame |
Here are the differences between investment analysts' and quantitative analysts' demographics:
| Investment Analyst | Quantitative Analyst | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 70.1% Female, 29.9% | Male, 79.5% Female, 20.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.6% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 14.1% White, 68.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 5.6% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 14.1% White, 68.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 7% |