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The differences between quantitative analysts and finance analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a quantitative analyst and a finance analyst. Additionally, a quantitative analyst has an average salary of $101,197, which is higher than the $69,887 average annual salary of a finance analyst.
The top three skills for a quantitative analyst include python, SAS and risk management. The most important skills for a finance analyst are financial analysis, financial models, and financial data.
| Quantitative Analyst | Finance Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $101,197 | $69,887 |
| Hourly rate | $48.65 | $33.60 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 48,644 | 138,600 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 53% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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.
A finance analyst is responsible for evaluating a company's financial data and historical reports to assess investment opportunities and provide accurate financial statements in support of business strategies and company performance prediction. A financial analyst's duties also include suggesting recommendations to boost operations efficiency and grow revenues, researching the current market performance and economic trends to adjust budget goals as needed, and managing client portfolios. Finance analysts must have excellent critical and analytical thinking skills to identify the best actions for the company's profitability.
Quantitative analysts and finance analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Quantitative Analyst | Finance Analyst | |
| Average salary | $101,197 | $69,887 |
| Salary range | Between $68,000 And $148,000 | Between $46,000 And $104,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New York | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | The Citadel | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Finance |
There are a few differences between a quantitative analyst and a finance analyst in terms of educational background:
| Quantitative Analyst | Finance Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 53% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Most common major | Finance | Business |
| Most common college | University of Notre Dame | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between quantitative analysts' and finance analysts' demographics:
| Quantitative Analyst | Finance Analyst | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 79.5% Female, 20.5% | Male, 56.2% Female, 43.8% |
| 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% |