Quantitative Analyst.
Washington DC.
$221,000
median salary, 28% above the national average
$165,000 to $299,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
The median Quantitative Analyst salary in Washington DC is $221,000, 28% above the national average. Entry level starts near $165,000. Experienced professionals push past $299,000. Washington DC's job market is shaped by the federal government, defense contractors, and a growing commercial tech sector. That spread is your negotiation window.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $199,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$144,000
to $177,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$188,000
to $232,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$243,000
to $287,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$276,000
to $343,000
Salary trend
+3% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $65,000 to the total package.
Base
$221,000
Equity
$38,000
Bonus
$23,000
Signing
$4,000
Estimated total: $286,000
How Washington DC compares
Washington DC, DC
$221,000
Cost of living: 25% above average
National Average
$172,000
Washington DC is $49,000 above
Quantitative Analyst salary by city
Salary by role in Washington DC
What you should know
If you are interviewing for Quantitative Analyst roles in Washington DC, here is what you are walking into. Washington DC's job market is shaped by the federal government, defense contractors, and a growing commercial tech sector. Cybersecurity, cloud computing, and consulting firms drive demand for cleared professionals. The region's stability, combined with high government pay scales, creates a salary floor that pulls private sector compensation upward. 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 Washington DC, those numbers run higher. The cost of living here is 25% 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: dC income tax rates reach 10.75% for high earners. Maryland and Virginia residents working in DC face their own state taxes. Choose your residence jurisdiction carefully to optimize net pay. When someone quotes you $221,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: A security clearance is your strongest negotiation asset. Cleared professionals in DC command 20 to 30% premiums, and transferring your clearance to a new employer saves them significant time and cost. The range for Quantitative Analysts in Washington DC runs from $165,000 to $299,000. 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
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Common questions.
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