"What does a quant earn in Amsterdam?" is one of the questions we hear most, from candidates and from firms benchmarking an offer. The honest answer is a range, because bonuses at proprietary trading firms are discretionary and move with performance and market conditions.
This guide gives the ranges we see in the Amsterdam market for the four roles we recruit for most. Pay differs sharply by firm size, so we show two tiers: the large global market makers, and smaller proprietary trading firms, hedge funds and crypto trading firms. All figures are gross, in euros, per year.
Large trading firms
The large market makers headquartered or with major offices in Amsterdam set the top of the market.
| Role | Base, graduate | Base, 3 to 5 years | Typical total, 3 to 5 years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quant trader | €90k to €110k | €120k to €170k | €250k to €600k+ |
| Quant researcher | €100k to €130k | €130k to €180k | €220k to €450k |
| Quant developer | €75k to €100k | €100k to €150k | €150k to €300k |
| Low-latency engineer (C++, FPGA) | €85k to €110k | €120k to €170k | €180k to €350k |
Smaller trading firms
Smaller proprietary trading firms, funds and crypto trading firms pay considerably less, especially in bonus. In return they often offer broader responsibility, faster progression and, at some firms, a direct share in the profits a person helps generate.
| Role | Base, graduate | Base, 3 to 5 years | Typical total, 3 to 5 years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quant trader | €55k to €75k | €80k to €120k | €100k to €250k |
| Quant researcher | €60k to €80k | €85k to €125k | €100k to €200k |
| Quant developer | €50k to €70k | €75k to €110k | €85k to €150k |
| Low-latency engineer (C++, FPGA) | €55k to €75k | €85k to €120k | €95k to €170k |
Total compensation means base salary plus bonus, and for graduates at large firms often a sign-on bonus in the first year. These are indicative ranges, not offers. Individual packages can sit well outside them.
Quant traders
Trader pay has the widest spread of any role. Base salaries at the large market makers are fairly standardised, so the difference is almost entirely in the bonus, which is linked to individual and desk performance.
At the large firms, graduate traders typically start on a base around €100k. A first-year total, including sign-on and a first bonus, commonly lands somewhere between €130k and €250k. After a few strong years the bonus can be several times the base. After a weak year it can be small.
Quant researchers
Researchers are often hired with a PhD or strong master's background, which pushes starting base salaries slightly above those of graduate traders. Bonuses are usually tied to the performance of the strategies a researcher contributes to, so they are more stable than trader bonuses but rarely reach the top of the trader range.
Quant developers
Developers working on trading and research platforms earn noticeably more at trading firms than at tech companies in the Netherlands. The bonus share is lower than for traders and researchers, which makes total pay more predictable from year to year.
Low-latency engineers
Engineers who work on the fastest parts of the stack, such as C++ execution systems, networking and FPGA, are scarce. That scarcity shows up in base salary more than in bonus. Experienced low-latency engineers regularly receive competing offers, which is where most of the upward pressure on this range comes from.
What drives the differences
- Firm size and model. Large market makers pay standardised bases and large discretionary bonuses. Smaller firms pay less overall, but some offer a direct share of the profits a trader or researcher helps generate.
- Desk and asset class. A profitable options desk in a volatile year pays very differently from a quieter product.
- Track record. For experienced hires, a verifiable track record matters more than years of experience.
- Competing offers. In a tight market, a credible competing offer often decides where a package lands within the range.
Tax and the 30% ruling
Dutch income tax reaches 49.5% on the highest band, so net pay is a large step down from gross. For candidates moving to the Netherlands, the 30% ruling can make a significant difference: if you qualify, part of your salary is paid tax free for a limited number of years. The rules change over time, including a step down in the percentage from 2027, so check the current conditions with the employer or a tax adviser before comparing offers.
Benchmarking an offer
If you are a candidate weighing an offer, or a firm checking whether a package will land, we are happy to benchmark it confidentially against what we see in the market. Reach us at hello@quant-flow.com, or read how we work as a quant recruitment agency. For the firms themselves, see our guide to Amsterdam trading firms.
