Aquatic Capital Levels.fyi Pay (Quant Salaries)
Levels.fyi can offer a useful snapshot of reported pay at Aquatic Capital Management, but it is not a guaranteed salary guide. Check the role, level, location, reporting date, and number of submissions before relying on a figure. Separate base pay from bonus and other compensation, then compare the result with current job postings and other reliable sources.
A student choosing between statistics and computer science, or a professional weighing a move into quant work, may see a large compensation figure and wonder whether it is realistic. That is a fair question. At a firm like Aquatic Capital Management, pay can depend on the job, experience, location, and how compensation is structured.
I use compensation databases as clues, not promises. In particular, a Levels.fyi figure is useful only when you know what it measures and how much evidence supports it. Here is how to assess reported quant salaries and plan for the roles behind them.
What Aquatic Capital pay data on Levels.fyi can tell you
Levels.fyi collects compensation reports submitted by workers. These reports can help you understand reported pay, but they do not establish what every employee earns or what the firm will offer a new hire. Before using a number, check its date, job title, level, location, and submission count.
A company page may show total compensation or separate pay components. Available details can change as reports are added or edited. If there is no clear Aquatic-specific entry for the role you want, do not fill the gap with a figure from another firm and treat it as equivalent.
For a reliable read, ask:
- Is the report for Aquatic Capital Management, rather than a similarly named company?
- Does the job match the one you are considering, such as quantitative researcher or quantitative developer?
- Is the figure tied to a named seniority level and location?
- When was the compensation reported?
- How many reports support the figure?
A small number of submissions can make an average or median unstable. One unusually high or low report may shift the result. Treat a thin sample as a signal to gather more evidence, not as a firm benchmark.
How to read reported quant compensation
Compensation is the pay and benefits tied to a job. For salary comparisons, the main distinction is between base salary and total compensation. A total figure may include bonus and other pay, so it should not be compared directly with a base salary from a job posting.
| Pay measure | What it means | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Base salary | Regular cash pay before bonus and benefits | Annual amount, location, and role |
| Bonus | Additional pay that may depend on individual or firm results | Whether it is target, paid, or reported |
| Equity or other compensation | Non-salary pay, if listed | Type, value date, and vesting terms |
| Total compensation | Combined value of the listed pay components | Which components are included and how they were valued |
Bonus figures deserve extra care. A reported bonus may reflect a past payout, while an offer may describe a target or discretionary amount. Those are not the same thing. Ask the employer how bonus decisions work and whether any amount is guaranteed.
The same caution applies to equity or other compensation. A displayed value may not mean you can sell that amount for cash. Read the offer terms and ask when the pay is earned, paid, or vested.
Which quant roles should you compare?
A job title is not a full job description. Quantitative researchers often use mathematical and statistical methods to study data and test ideas. Quantitative developers build or maintain software and systems used in that work. The exact duties vary by team, so compare responsibilities as well as titles.
| Role to investigate | Skills often relevant to the work | Questions to ask when comparing pay |
|---|---|---|
| Quantitative researcher | Probability, statistics, modeling, and data analysis | Is the job research-focused? What experience level is listed? |
| Quantitative developer | Programming, algorithms, data structures, and software design | How much of the work is software engineering? |
| Data or research engineer | Data systems, programming, and reliable data workflows | Is compensation reported for this title or a broader one? |
These are broad descriptions, not confirmed hiring requirements for Aquatic Capital. Current employer postings are the best source for what a specific opening requires. If a data site uses a broad title or level, avoid comparing it with a more specialized job unless the duties and seniority are close.
Pay also varies by location and experience. A reported figure for a senior employee in one market may not help you predict a new graduate offer elsewhere. Match like with like wherever possible.
How to check a Levels.fyi figure step by step
A quick review can prevent a misleading comparison. Start with the company and role, then check the quality of the data and look for a second source. If the entry lacks key details, mark it as uncertain rather than using it as a target salary.
- Confirm the company. Check that the profile and report refer to Aquatic Capital Management.
- Match the job. Look for a role with similar duties, not just a related title.
- Match seniority and location. An entry-level report and a senior report answer different questions.
- Check the date and sample size. Older reports and very small samples offer weaker guidance.
- Separate pay components. Record base, bonus, and other compensation on separate lines.
- Cross-check. Review current job postings and other credible compensation sources. Note when those sources measure different things.
- Ask during recruiting. Request the expected base range, bonus structure, and any other compensation in writing.
This process produces a range of evidence, not a guaranteed offer. If sources disagree, compare their dates, locations, roles, and pay definitions before deciding which is most useful.
Degree choices and skills for quant work
There is no verified universal Aquatic Capital GPA cutoff, required degree title, or graduate-degree rule in the evidence described here. For undergraduate preparation, mathematics, statistics, computer science, physics, and related quantitative fields can build useful skills. A bachelor’s degree often takes about 120 semester credits, but the school catalog and degree audit set the actual requirements.
Build a course plan around calculus, linear algebra, probability, mathematical statistics, algorithms and data structures, and programming. Course names and prerequisites differ by school, so map the sequence early with an adviser. A GPA of 3.5 or higher can be a planning target for strong academic performance, but it is not a confirmed Aquatic hiring requirement.
A degree is only one part of the evidence you can show. Research, internships, and substantial projects can help demonstrate that you know how to use your skills. For example, a project might apply statistical modeling to a dataset or test an optimization method. Document your approach, assumptions, code, and results so others can assess your work.
Before enrolling or changing programs, check institutional accreditation through the U.S. Department of Education’s accreditation database or CHEA. Also review the school’s net price calculator and request program-specific completion and employment outcome data. Advertised salary potential alone cannot show whether a degree is worth its cost.
Illustrative pay-comparison scenarios
These scenarios show how to reason about compensation data; they are not reports about actual Aquatic Capital employees or offers. The point is to compare evidence on equal terms before drawing conclusions.
| Scenario | What the data shows | A careful response |
|---|---|---|
| One report lists a high total-pay figure but gives no sample size | The figure may be real, but its representativeness is unclear | Do not use it as a typical offer; seek more reports and current postings |
| A posting gives base salary, while Levels.fyi shows total compensation | The measures differ | Compare base with base, then assess bonus and other pay separately |
| A report is for a senior role in another location | Role and market may not match your situation | Use it as context only, not as a new-graduate target |
The practical lesson is simple: compensation data becomes more useful when the details match your decision. Keep a short record of the source, date, role, location, sample size, and pay components. That makes it easier to update your view when better information appears.
How to use pay information in your career plan
Start with the work you want to do, then use compensation evidence to inform your choices. A salary estimate alone cannot tell you whether you will enjoy the role, meet its hiring standards, or find a strong path to future roles.
- Choose an accredited quantitative degree program that fits your interests and budget.
- Plan core math, statistics, and computing courses with an adviser.
- Build proof of skill through research, an internship, or a substantial project.
- Use current Aquatic Capital job postings to identify role-specific skills and experience.
- Prepare for relevant math, statistics, and coding assessments.
- Compare offers using clear, separate figures for base pay, bonus, and other compensation.
This approach keeps salary in view without letting an uncertain database entry drive your major, debt, or job decision. If you receive an offer, compare its written terms with your alternatives and ask questions about any unclear pay component.
Frequently asked questions
These answers address common questions about reported compensation at Aquatic Capital Management. Because employer-specific reports can be limited or change over time, confirm the details on the current data page and in the job posting or offer you are evaluating.
Does Levels.fyi show a guaranteed Aquatic Capital salary?
No. It shows submitted compensation reports, not guaranteed pay. A report may not match your role, location, experience, or offer terms.
What does total compensation mean?
Total compensation combines the pay components shown in a report. It may include base salary, bonus, and other compensation. Check the entry to see exactly what is included.
Is base salary the same as total compensation?
No. Base salary is regular pay before bonus and other compensation. Compare base salary with base salary, and assess other components separately.
Can I trust a figure based on one report?
Treat it as limited evidence. A single report cannot establish the usual pay for a role. Look for additional reports and compare them with current postings.
Does Aquatic Capital require a specific GPA?
No universal cutoff is verified here. Check current job postings for stated requirements, and treat a GPA target as a personal academic goal rather than an employer rule.
Do I need a graduate degree for quant work?
A graduate degree may deepen specialization, but it is not established here as a universal requirement. Review the requirements for each current opening.
Which degree is best for quantitative roles?
Mathematics, statistics, computer science, physics, and related quantitative fields can provide relevant preparation. The best fit depends on the role and the courses and experience you build.
How should I compare an offer with Levels.fyi?
Match the role, location, seniority, and reporting period as closely as possible. Separate base pay from bonus and other compensation, then compare the written offer terms rather than relying on one headline number.
How can I check whether a program is accredited?
Use the U.S. Department of Education’s accreditation database or CHEA, and confirm details with the institution. Review the program’s catalog and outcomes before committing.
What should I do if I cannot find Aquatic-specific pay data?
Do not assume another firm’s compensation applies. Use current job postings, ask recruiters about the pay range and structure, and keep any broader market comparisons clearly labeled as estimates.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, James Holloway. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
