Hedge Fund Analysts


Overview

Hedge Fund Analysts

Introduction

Hedge fund analysts perform detailed research on stocks, bonds, and other securities; commodities; currencies; and hard assets (particularly real estate). Hedge fund firms use this research to make investment decisions that translate (ideally) into large profits for the firm and strong returns for investors. Approximately 329,500 financial analysts are employed in the United States; only a small number work for hedge funds. 

Quick Facts


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Median Salary

$85,660

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Employment Prospects

Fair

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Minimum Education Level

Bachelors Degree


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Experience

An internship, co-op, or summer job at a hedge fund or in financi


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Skills

Financial|Math|Research


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Personality Traits

Enterprising|Hands On|Organized

Earnings

Hedge fund analysts earned average salaries of $58,863 in 2020, according to GlassDoor.com. earnings ranged from $43,000 to $140,000.

The U.S. Department of Labor reports that financial analysts earned median annual salaries of $85,660 in May 2018. Earnings ranged from less than $52,540 to $167,420 or more.   

Hedge fund analysts usually receive a generou...

Work Environment

The workplace culture at hedge funds varies by the firm’s owner. Some have a relaxed, but professional, atmosphere, in which analysts can wear business-casual attire. Analysts at other firms may be required to dress and act more conservatively. This job can be stressful at times because tens of millions of dollars are at stake as a result of their recommendations. 

A majority of hedge fu...

Outlook

Job opportunities for financial analysts who work for securities, commodities, and other financial investment and related firms are expected to grow by nearly 5 percent from 2018 to 2028, according to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), or about as fast as the average for all careers. The DOL says that “having certifications and a graduate degree can significantly improve an applicant’s prospec...