Quantitative Analyst.
Charleston.
$136,000
median salary, 21% below the national average
$101,000 to $183,000. Last updated April 2026.
Get the job.
Data points to own the conversation.
If you are evaluating a Quantitative Analyst offer in Charleston, WV, here is the reality: $101,000 to $183,000, with $136,000 as the midpoint. 21% below the national average. Firm type and strategy alpha generation are the primary pay determinants. Do not accept the first number.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $123,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$88,000
to $109,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$116,000
to $143,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$150,000
to $177,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$170,000
to $211,000
Salary trend
+3% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $40,000 to the total package.
Base
$136,000
Equity
$23,000
Bonus
$14,000
Signing
$3,000
Estimated total: $176,000
How Charleston compares
Charleston, WV
$136,000
Cost of living: 22% below average
National Average
$172,000
Charleston is $36,000 below
Quantitative Analyst salary by city
Salary by role in Charleston
What you should know
The Quantitative Analyst landscape in Charleston is not what most salary sites will tell you. Charleston is West Virginia's capital and largest city, with an economy driven by government, energy, healthcare, and chemical manufacturing. The city offers some of the lowest living costs in the nation. Federal and state government roles provide stable employment anchors. Firm type and strategy alpha generation are the primary pay determinants. Quants at top hedge funds like Citadel, Two Sigma, or DE Shaw earn 50 to 100% more than those at banks or asset managers. PhD-level mathematics, physics, or computer science backgrounds from top research universities command the highest starting salaries.
Junior quants start at $120,000 to $160,000 base at top firms. Mid-level quantitative analysts earn $160,000 to $220,000 base. Senior quants and portfolio managers reach $220,000 to $350,000 base. Quant portfolio managers running profitable strategies can earn $500,000 to several million in total compensation. In Charleston, your dollars stretch further. Cost of living runs 22% below the national average, which means even a median salary buys a stronger lifestyle.
Base salary is not the full picture. Performance bonuses at quantitative hedge funds frequently equal or exceed base salary, with total compensation of $300,000 to $800,000 for mid-level quants. Top performers at elite firms can earn $1 million or more. Bank quants receive 20 to 50% bonuses with smaller variance. And on the tax side: west Virginia's top income tax rate is 5.12%. Charleston has no city income tax. The very low cost of living means even moderate salaries deliver strong purchasing power. When someone quotes you $136,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Benchmark against federal government pay scales. Charleston employers often align with GS grades, and understanding the federal pay system gives you negotiating leverage. The range for Quantitative Analysts in Charleston runs from $101,000 to $183,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A NLP Engineer in Charleston earns $135,000 (1% less)
- The highest-paying role in Charleston is Chief AI Officer at $251,000
Common questions.
Quantitative Analyst salary in other cities
Other salaries in Charleston
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