Do most quant traders and quant devs make as much as doctors and surgeons?

[jayatenet]

Throughout the career progression of quant traders+devs, I was wondering if we can make as much as surgeons and physicians, or if it is unrealistic to hope for such high salaries (400-500k+)

 

[achirikhin]

You can make much more, especially as a trader. As a quant, this is a "Director" level of the total comp, so 7+ years in first - second tier bank. As was mentioned by other contributors, the star junior traders can get it in the first or second year latest.

To get this amount amount as base as a quant, you need to be a "Partner" or "Senior" MD and only in a few places.

See Chapter 6 in the full version of Quantitative Analyst, Developer, Strat: The Profession

A better and more typical comparison is to the lawyers, as in "Suits".