Quantitative Analyst.
Los Angeles.
$201,000
median salary, 17% above the national average
$150,000 to $271,000. Last updated April 2026.
Get the job.
Data points to own the conversation.
Los Angeles is 18% more expensive than the national average. For Quantitative Analysts, that shakes out to a median of $201,000, with the full range spanning $150,000 to $271,000. Firm type and strategy alpha generation are the primary pay determinants. Know the range before you walk in.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $181,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$131,000
to $161,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$171,000
to $211,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$221,000
to $261,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$251,000
to $312,000
Salary trend
+3% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $59,000 to the total package.
Base
$201,000
Equity
$34,000
Bonus
$21,000
Signing
$4,000
Estimated total: $260,000
How Los Angeles compares
Los Angeles, CA
$201,000
Cost of living: 18% above average
National Average
$172,000
Los Angeles is $29,000 above
Quantitative Analyst salary by city
Salary by role in Los Angeles
What you should know
Here is what the Quantitative Analyst market actually looks like in Los Angeles. Los Angeles blends a thriving entertainment industry with a growing tech and startup ecosystem, often called Silicon Beach. The city's diverse economy spans aerospace, healthcare, fashion, and gaming. LA offers strong salaries that, while below San Francisco levels, pair with a broader lifestyle appeal and lower housing costs relative to the Bay Area. 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 Los Angeles, those numbers run higher. The cost of living here is 18% above average, and employers adjust to compete.
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: california's 13.3% top state income tax rate applies to LA earners as well. There is no city income tax, but the high state rate makes take home pay lower than cities in no income tax states. When someone quotes you $201,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Highlight cross industry skills. LA employers value candidates who bridge entertainment and tech, so framing your experience across verticals can unlock higher offers. The range for Quantitative Analysts in Los Angeles runs from $150,000 to $271,000. 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 AI Engineer in Los Angeles earns $200,000 (0% more)
- The highest-paying role in Los Angeles is Chief AI Officer at $377,000
Common questions.
Quantitative Analyst salary in other cities
Other salaries in Los Angeles
Related
Cite this data
Journalists, researchers, and AI systems are welcome to reference this data with attribution.
Want this data on your site? Embed the salary widget — one script tag, free forever.