What degree do most hedge funds have?
Hedge fund managers often have a master's degree or even a Ph. D. in finance, mathematics, economics, financial engineering, quantitative finance, programming, marketing, or business administration. Others have advanced degrees in a specialty such as engineering or accounting.
A Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in finance is ideal for a variety of hedge fund jobs, but your major will matter. Bachelor of Science degrees in mathematics, accounting, physics, computer science, and even engineering are also useful, given the recent rise in algorithmic trading.
School | % of alums<br> across all funds | % of alums at<br> top hedge funds |
---|---|---|
University of Pennsylvania | 8.12% | 0.99% |
Harvard University | 4.29% | 0.44% |
Stanford University | 2.66% | 0.22% |
Cornell University | 2.56% | 0.18% |
Most employers require that investment fund managers have a bachelor's degree in accounting, business administration, finance, or statistics. Other possible majors include economics, international business, and public administration.
Essential Information. To become a professional investment planner, investment banker, floor broker, or sales agent, you'll likely need at least a bachelor's degree in finance, economics, or a related field. However, it might be even more beneficial to complete a Master of Business Administration (MBA) program.
When preparing for a career in a hedge fund, consider earning your bachelor's degree in math, accounting, finance, investment banking, economics or business. You can also benefit from taking courses in financial math, global investment strategy, emerging markets, psychology and consumer behavior.
Job Title | Annual Salary | Monthly Pay |
---|---|---|
Hedge Fund Attorney | $175,207 | $14,600 |
Cfo Hedge Fund | $157,532 | $13,127 |
Private Equity Fund Controller | $154,999 | $12,916 |
Hedge Fund General Counsel | $151,643 | $12,636 |
Education Required | Bachelor's degree; master's often preferred |
---|---|
Education Field of Study | Finance, accounting, economics, or business administration |
Optional Certification | Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) certification |
Skills Required | Analytical, communication, detail oriented |
Hedge funds employ some of the best-paid business professionals anywhere, but landing your first job in the industry is no cakewalk. Building a hedge fund career takes determination, networking stamina, and a fierce competitive streak. Here are some steps to help get you to that interview and then land that job.
Compared to all the other types of finance careers, work life balance at hedge funds is usually better than investment banking or private equity in the sense that your hours won't be as volatile. It is very unlikely that you will stay up late working past midnight at a hedge fund.
Who are the richest hedge fund managers?
Who Is the Richest Hedge Fund Manager? Ken Griffin of Citadel is both the richest hedge fund manager and the highest paid. In 2022, he earned $41. billion, and by the beginning of 2023 his net worth was estimated at $35 billion.
Most investment banks prefer degrees in finance, accounting, business administration, and other business disciplines. Undergraduate degree subjects are less influential in the hiring process if a candidate has a master's degree in business administration, finance, or another highly relevant subject.
With a little bit of capital, it is relatively easy to start a hedge fund. However, implementing risk controls, growing assets, hiring staff, and running the organization as a profitable business while producing positive performance is very challenging.
Rank | College major | Median salary |
---|---|---|
Source: Bankrate analysis of 2021 American Community Survey data via IPUMS | ||
1 | Electrical Engineering | $110,000 |
2 | Computer Engineering | $104,000 |
3 | Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration | $100,000 |
Although a college degree is not required, having a degree in finance or another major that is math or market-related is a bonus. Successful day traders are knowledgeable about a number of stocks and other financial securities, know various electronic trading platforms, and the ins and outs of the stock market.
Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | |
---|---|---|
Top Earners | $96,000 | $8,000 |
75th Percentile | $90,000 | $7,500 |
Average | $69,759 | $5,813 |
25th Percentile | $49,500 | $4,125 |
Hedge Fund Career Requirements
You should ideally be an investment banking analyst at a top bank, an equity research associate at a top bank, a research or investment analyst at an asset management firm or mutual fund, or a sales & trading professional on a highly relevant desk.
They found that the median age of a hedge fund manager is 48. The majority of hedge fund managers are between 40 and 60 years of age.
Long and stressful days
The day for hedge fund managers is very long and full of stressful hours. The end of the market day doesn't necessarily mean that they are done for the day. Many hedge fund managers run positions in overnight markets so they will need to monitor those trades, often late into the night.
As of Apr 14, 2024, the average annual pay for a Vice President Of Hedge Funds in the United States is $157,532 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $75.74 an hour. This is the equivalent of $3,029/week or $13,127/month.
How much does a PM at a hedge fund make?
Annual Salary | Weekly Pay | |
---|---|---|
Top Earners | $228,500 | $4,394 |
75th Percentile | $191,000 | $3,673 |
Average | $127,751 | $2,456 |
25th Percentile | $75,000 | $1,442 |
Quant Salary and Bonus Levels
Base salaries for entry-level Quant Researchers at hedge funds in New York are around $125K to $150K, with bonuses worth 50-100% of that. So, you could potentially earn between $200K and $300K USD in entry-level roles in this field.
Hedge fund managers typically earn above-average compensation, often from a two-and-twenty fee structure. Hedge fund managers typically specialize in a particular investment strategy that they then use to power their fund portfolio's mandate for profits.
The top individual Portfolio Managers can earn hundreds of millions or billions each year. Hedge funds offer a much higher pay ceiling than investment banking, (sometimes) better hours and work/life balance, and the chance to do more interesting work.
No. It may be important to go to a top b-school, but work experience in a hedge fund before school is what often counts, says a Quora participant. The alternative is experience in investment banking or a private equity fund.
References
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