How much do Quantitative Analysts make in Boston compared to the national average?

The national median Quantitative Analyst salary is $172,131. In Boston, COL adjustments bring the median to $210,000.

What is the average Quantitative Analyst salary in Boston?

The average Quantitative Analyst salary in Boston, MA is $210,000 in 2026. The 25th percentile is $156,000 and the 75th percentile is $283,000.

Is remote work affecting Quantitative Analyst salaries in Boston?

Remote work is compressing geographic salary premiums for Quantitative Analysts. Boston's range of $156,000 to $283,000 reflects both remote and in office positions.

What should I ask about benefits when interviewing for a Quantitative Analyst in Boston?

Ask about equity, bonuses, 401(k), health insurance, PTO, and remote flexibility. Benefits in Boston can add $52,500+ to base salary.

Quantitative Analyst.

Boston.

$210,000

median salary, 22% above the national average

$156,000 to $283,000. Updated for 2026.

Get your playbook

The numbers.

Everything you need to negotiate with confidence.

Quantitative Analyst pay in Boston ranges from $156,000 to $283,000 in 2026. The median is $210,000, 22% above the national average. Boston's job market is powered by world class universities, a thriving biotech corridor, and established finance and healthcare sectors. Every dollar in that range is negotiable if you come prepared.

Salary range

25th Percentile

$156,000

per year

Median

$210,000

per year

75th Percentile

$283,000

per year

Tap to place your salary

$156,000$283,000

How Boston compares

Boston, MA

$210,000

Cost of living: 22% above average

National Average

$172,000

Boston is $38,000 above

What you should know

If you are interviewing for Quantitative Analyst roles in Boston, here is what you are walking into. Boston's job market is powered by world class universities, a thriving biotech corridor, and established finance and healthcare sectors. The Kendall Square area is one of the most concentrated biotech hubs globally. Tech salaries in Boston are competitive with West Coast markets, particularly for roles that intersect with life sciences, AI, and robotics. 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 Boston, those numbers run higher. The cost of living here is 22% 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: massachusetts has a flat 5% income tax on most earnings, plus a 4% surtax on income above $1 million. There is no city income tax in Boston, keeping the total burden moderate. When someone quotes you $210,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.

On negotiation: Emphasize specialized credentials or advanced degrees. Boston employers, especially in biotech and finance, place a premium on educational pedigree and certifications. The range for Quantitative Analysts in Boston runs from $156,000 to $283,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.

Top industries in Boston

Biotech & Life SciencesHigher EducationFinancial ServicesHealthcareTechnology

Negotiating in Boston

Emphasize specialized credentials or advanced degrees. Boston employers, especially in biotech and finance, place a premium on educational pedigree and certifications.

Common questions.

A PhD from a top program in mathematics, physics, statistics, or computer science provides the strongest entry point to top-paying firms. However, exceptional candidates with master's degrees and strong competition math or programming backgrounds (e.g., Putnam, IOI) can also access elite firms and equivalent compensation.

Quantitative analysts at top hedge funds earn 50 to 150% more in total compensation than bank quants at equivalent levels. A mid-level bank quant might earn $200,000 to $300,000 total, while a comparable hedge fund quant earns $350,000 to $600,000. The gap widens dramatically at senior levels.

The national median for a Quantitative Analyst is $172,131. In Boston, cost of living adjustments push the median to $210,000. That premium reflects Boston's higher housing, transportation, and everyday costs.

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. In Boston's market, the base range of $156,000 to $283,000 is just the starting point for negotiation.

In 2026, the average Quantitative Analyst salary in Boston, MA is $210,000. The 25th percentile sits at $156,000 and the 75th percentile reaches $283,000. Where you land depends on your experience, the company's size, and the specific skills you bring.

Remote work has compressed geographic salary premiums for Quantitative Analysts. Some Boston employers offer location adjusted pay, while others maintain local rates to attract in office talent. In a high cost market like Boston, remote roles may pay 10 to 20% less than local positions. The $156,000 to $283,000 range reflects both arrangements.

Ask about equity structure, vesting schedule, annual bonus targets, 401(k) match, health insurance premiums, PTO policy, and remote flexibility. 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. In Boston's market, these extras can add $52,500 or more on top of the base salary.