Quant salary and the national average
The Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish a specific "quant salary" figure. Quants – quantitative analysts, traders, and developers – are typically grouped under the Professional occupation category, which covers a wide range of roles. The most recent ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey (May 2025) shows that Professionals had median hourly earnings of $64.50, and Managers $69.20. These are the two highest-paid occupation groups.
Because quants often work in finance, insurance, or technology – industries that pay above the all-industries average – their salaries are generally well above the national full-time adult ordinary-time average of $2,083.70 a week, or about $108,352 a year. That figure comes from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026.
Where the national average comes from
The line on Place a salary on the line uses the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026: $2,083.70 per week for full-time adults (ordinary time, seasonally adjusted). Multiplied by 52 weeks, that is roughly $108,352 a year before tax. This is the benchmark for full-time workers. It is an average, not a median, so it can be pulled up by very high earners.
For context, the full-time median earnings (from the same ABS survey) were about $1,741 a week, or $90,532 a year. The all-employees median (including part-time) was about $1,425 a week, or $74,100 a year. These medians give a better sense of the typical worker.
How quant salaries compare
Quant roles are specialised and in demand. They require advanced mathematics, statistics, and programming skills. As a result, salaries for experienced quants in Sydney or Melbourne can exceed $150,000–$200,000 a year, well above the national average. However, entry-level quant positions or roles in smaller firms may start closer to the professional median.
The ABS does not break out quant salaries by experience or sector, but the industry data shows that Financial and Insurance Services is one of the highest-paying industries. The average weekly earnings for full-time adults in that sector (not shown in the on-site notes but available from ABS) are typically above the national average.
What would move a quant salary above or below the line?
Several factors can shift a quant salary relative to the $108,352 average:
- Location: State averages vary. The highest is the ACT at about $119,090, followed by Western Australia at $115,825 and New South Wales at $109,658. The lowest is Tasmania at $96,008. A quant in Sydney (NSW) is likely above the national average, while one in Hobart may be closer to or below it. See States and territories for more.
- Experience: Junior quants may earn below the full-time average, while senior quants, especially those with a track record in trading or risk modelling, can earn multiples of it.
- Sector: Quants in investment banks, hedge funds, or proprietary trading firms tend to earn more than those in insurance, superannuation, or general analytics.
- Awards and agreements: Some quants are covered by enterprise agreements or individual contracts. The Fair Work minimum wage and award rates are far below typical quant pay, so they rarely apply.
Tax considerations
For the 2026–27 financial year, the ATO tax rates are:
- Nil on the first $18,200
- 15% on income between $18,201 and $45,000
- 30% on income between $45,001 and $135,000
- 37% on income between $135,001 and $190,000
- 45% on income above $190,000
Plus a 2% Medicare levy (with possible reductions for low-income earners). A quant earning $150,000 would be in the 30% bracket plus Medicare, so about 32% marginal rate. Those earning above $190,000 face the top marginal rate of 47%.
Using the line tool
If you know your quant salary, you can Place a salary on the line to see how it compares to the national average, the median, and the minimum wage. The tool shows your weekly and hourly figures based on a 38-hour week, and the distance from the full-time average.
Summary
Quant salary is not officially published, but all evidence points to it being above the national full-time average for most roles. The exact position depends on location, experience, and employer. The ABS data provides the benchmarks: the average, the medians, and the state breakdowns. Use those to gauge where your pay sits.
For more on how the figures are set, see How the figures are set. For industry and occupation medians, see Job medians and Industry medians.