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The differences between quantitative analysts and traders can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a quantitative analyst has an average salary of $101,197, which is higher than the $90,179 average annual salary of a trader.
The top three skills for a quantitative analyst include python, SAS and risk management. The most important skills for a trader are portfolio, financial markets, and derivative.
| Quantitative Analyst | Trader | |
| Yearly salary | $101,197 | $90,179 |
| Hourly rate | $48.65 | $43.36 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 48,644 | 17,351 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 53% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Average age | 40 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 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 trader is responsible for buying and selling financial instruments for a firm or an individual, monitoring stock movements, and analyzing price fluctuations. Traders focus on short-term and long-term trades, depending on their customers' demands and best interests. In some cases, traders also act as financial advisors to their clients, providing financial management support, and handling their account investments. A trader must have excellent knowledge of the financial industry and must be highly-analytical, dealing with consistent changes in the stock market and maintain smart decisions to achieve their clients' financial goals.
Quantitative analysts and traders have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Quantitative Analyst | Trader | |
| Average salary | $101,197 | $90,179 |
| Salary range | Between $68,000 And $148,000 | Between $56,000 And $144,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | White Plains, NY |
| Highest paying state | New York | New York |
| Best paying company | The Citadel | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Finance |
There are a few differences between a quantitative analyst and a trader in terms of educational background:
| Quantitative Analyst | Trader | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 53% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Most common major | Finance | Finance |
| Most common college | University of Notre Dame | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between quantitative analysts' and traders' demographics:
| Quantitative Analyst | Trader | |
| Average age | 40 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 79.5% Female, 20.5% | Male, 82.1% Female, 17.9% |
| 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, 5.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 11.5% Asian, 12.4% White, 66.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 6% |