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Job salaries in Algo Trading vs. SoftEngg
Saurav Bhattacharya
edited Jun 3, 2013

Hello everyone. Hope all of you are doing well. I have a question regarding the comparison of job salaries in the career paths of an Algo trader and a SoftEngg.

It is known that the career path of an Algo Trader begins with being a developer and goes up to a Hedge Fund Manager. The career path of a SoftEngg begins with being a developer and goes up to a Manager/Director. My question is in which of these career paths will the salary be greater

  1. cumulatively: during the later years of life which career path would have earned more cash
  2. instantaneously: which of the two paths will have monthly checks of an higher amount

Please note that the question is not about comparison in job satisfaction or work-life balance or any other parameter. It is only about the salary compensation.

I apologize if you find the question silly; this is a query I have long wanted to get rid of. If you find anything unclear please ask me and I will clarify.

Thank you.

1 response
Simon Thornington
Jun 3, 2013

It's been my experience that average software engineers who work for top tier tech firms make about the same as average software engineers who work in top tier finance firms. There might be a little more dispersion in finance, and perhaps a fatter tail at the top end, but directors of tech firms are very well paid also.

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