How stressful is it to work at a hedge fund?
Reality: High Stress and Potentially Constant Long Work Hours. Depending on the type of fund, you could work long hours especially when you are just starting. There is a reason why people say at hedge funds your first 6 months is like “drinking from a fire hose.” The role is unlike investment banking or private equity.
Her expertise is in personal finance and investing, and real estate. 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.
The work hours for hedge fund traders can vary, and the industry is known for its demanding schedule. On average, hedge fund traders often work long hours, ranging from 50 to 80 hours per week. The specific workload can depend on the fund's strategy, market conditions, and individual firm policies.
While ZipRecruiter is seeing salaries as high as $242,849 and as low as $32,804, the majority of salaries within the Hedge Fund jobs category currently range between $66,587 (25th percentile) to $117,017 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $165,000 annually in California.
However, because hedge funds are typically much higher-risk portfolios that are more actively traded, they require close monitoring and a greater amount of day-to-day hands-on management and decision-making regarding investments.
They are considered the most prestigious jobs, pay the most, and offer the highest advancement potential and the best career opportunities. At some funds, there are additional roles – for example, at quant hedge funds, there are also quants and programmers with math/statistics/computer science backgrounds.
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 |
The 2 and 20 is a hedge fund compensation structure consisting of a management fee and a performance fee. 2% represents a management fee which is applied to the total assets under management. A 20% performance fee is charged on the profits that the hedge fund generates, beyond a specified minimum threshold.
Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | |
---|---|---|
Top Earners | $114,000 | $9,500 |
75th Percentile | $100,000 | $8,333 |
Average | $77,940 | $6,495 |
25th Percentile | $51,000 | $4,250 |
While every business is different, all typically go through a five phase life cycle: Start-up, to Growth, then Expansion, Maturity, and then finally, Decline. exist into perpetuity. Hedge funds do have expiration dates.
How much does a PM at a hedge fund make?
Pay at this level depends almost 100% on performance, which means that PMs could make a few hundred thousand USD… up to $1 million or even $10 million+. On average, though, a PM at a mid-sized fund that performs decently might earn between $500K and $3 million.
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.
Generally, hedge fund managers tend to earn more than investment bankers. Hedge fund managers typically earn a performance-based fee for managing a client's portfolio, which can be quite large.
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.
In terms of everyday responsibilities, the main duties of a fund manager include building financial models, meeting with clients, and analysing investments. At a higher level, they oversee the hedge fund's daily operations. This might include risk management, marketing, sales, and cash flow forecasting.
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.
Hedge fund analysts typically work between 60 and 70 hours a week. Working on the weekend is not common but it certainly does happen from time to time.
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.
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.
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 many hours do hedge fund analysts work?
Hedge Fund Analyst Hours and Lifestyle
At smaller, single-manager funds, the average might be 10-12 hours per day, for a total of 50-60 hours per week (weekend work is rare). As you move to larger, multi-manager funds, the hours and stress get worse, so the average may be more like 60-70 hours per week.
BlackRock manages US$38bn across a broad range of hedge fund strategies. With over 20 years of proven experience, the depth and breadth of our platform has evolved into a comprehensive toolkit of 30+ strategies.
3 In exchange, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requires a majority of hedge fund investors to be accredited, which means possessing a net worth of more than $1 million and a sophisticated understanding of personal finance, investing, and trading.
The easiest path to landing a job at any type of hedge fund is to work in banking for the first two years out of undergrad. During those years, make sure you develop a good reputation and try to be a top bucket analyst. You need to be very good at excel and have a strong grasp on valuation / modeling.
- Study the financial industry. The first step in preparing to work for a hedge fund is to study the financial industry. ...
- Earn a bachelor's degree. ...
- Secure an internship. ...
- Earn a CFA or MBA. ...
- Expand your professional network. ...
- Find a career mentor. ...
- Design your resume. ...
- Apply for a position.
References
- https://www.neeley.tcu.edu/News/Insights/The-Economics-Behind-Successful-Hedge-Funds
- https://www.forbes.com/profile/ken-griffin/
- https://www.cnbc.com/2014/12/09/exclusive-these-colleges-feed-alumni-to-elite-hedge-funds.html
- https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/work-for-a-hedge-fund
- https://www.quora.com/What-hedge-funds-hire-undergrads-right-out-of-college-with-little-work-experience
- https://www.indeed.com/cmp/Citadel-a8263c78/salaries/Portfolio-Manager
- https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/project-manager-investment-banking-salary-SRCH_KO0,34.htm
- https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/career-map/buy-side/hedge-funds/hedge-fund-manager/
- https://www.wallstreetmojo.com/investment-banking-vs-hedge-fund-manager/
- https://mergersandinquisitions.com/hedge-fund-portfolio-manager/
- https://www.glassdoor.com/Salary/BlackRock-Portfolio-Manager-Salaries-E9331_D_KO10,27.htm
- https://www.quora.com/Who-earns-more-an-investment-banker-or-a-hedge-fund-manager
- https://www.glassdoor.com/Salary/Citadel-Portfolio-Manager-Salaries-E14937_D_KO8,25.htm
- https://www.quora.com/How-long-does-it-take-to-become-a-portfolio-manager-at-a-large-hedge-fund-What-is-the-average-annual-salary
- https://www.zippia.com/hedge-fund-manager-jobs/demographics/
- https://www.buysidehustle.com/reality-of-working-at-a-hedge-fund-an-insiders-guide/
- https://www.glassdoor.com/Salary/Microsoft-Group-Product-Manager-Salaries-E1651_D_KO10,31.htm
- https://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/101515/3-biggest-hedge-fund-scandals.asp
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portfolio_manager
- https://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/041016/will-hedge-funds-be-around-10-years.asp
- https://www.joinleland.com/library/a/private-equity-vs-hedge-fund-pros-cons-and-how-to-decide
- https://www.investopedia.com/investing/biggest-hedge-funds-world/
- https://www.tryexponent.com/blog/product-manager-career-path
- https://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/102113/what-are-hedge-funds.asp
- https://www.empaxis.com/blog/reasons-hedge-funds-fail
- https://www.glassdoor.com/Salary/Citadel-Quantitative-Trader-Salaries-E14937_D_KO8,27.htm
- https://www.investopedia.com/terms/h/hedgefund.asp
- https://www.investopedia.com/articles/financial-advisors/121515/portfolio-manager-career-path-qualifications.asp
- https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-become-a-hedge-fund-manager
- https://financhill.com/blog/investing/is-warren-buffett-a-hedge-fund-manager
- https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/011915/can-you-invest-hedge-funds.asp
- https://www.indeed.com/cmp/Citadel-a8263c78/salaries
- https://www.investopedia.com/articles/financialcareers/08/hedge-fund-career.asp
- https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Hedge-Fund-Salary
- https://www.investopedia.com/articles/wealth-management/021816/portfolio-manager-job-description-average-salary.asp
- https://uk.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/how-to-become-hedge-fund-manager
- https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Vice-President-Of-Hedge-Funds-Salary
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/hanktucker/2023/04/04/the-richest-hedge-fund-managers-2023/
- https://www.forbes.com/advisor/investing/top-hedge-funds/
- https://www.quora.com/Is-there-a-designated-leader-for-hedge-funds-similar-to-a-CEO-for-companies-If-so-how-is-this-person-selected
- https://www.investopedia.com/terms/h/hedge-fund-manager.asp
- https://www.morganstanley.com/ideas/female-hedge-fund-managers-capital-support
- https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/100515/what-do-hedge-fund-analysts-do.asp
- https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Hedge-Fund-Salary--in-California
- https://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/042715/top-bachelor-degree-hedgefund-career.asp
- https://mergersandinquisitions.com/how-to-get-a-job-at-a-hedge-fund/
- https://www.glassdoor.com/Salary/Point72-PM-Salaries-E1032703_D_KO8,10.htm
- https://www.quora.com/How-many-hours-do-hedge-fund-traders-work-per-day-week-month
- https://www.theforage.com/blog/careers/portfolio-manager
- https://hedgefundalpha.com/investing/youngest-hedge-fund-managers/
- https://mergersandinquisitions.com/hedge-fund-analyst/
- https://www.investopedia.com/articles/professionals/100515/top-5-highest-paid-hedge-fund-managers.asp
- https://www.institutionalinvestor.com/article/2bstpd4t08pc8xwj4we80/corner-office/the-rich-list-the-22nd-annual-ranking-of-the-highest-earning-hedge-fund-managers
- https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Goldman-Sachs-Managing-Director-Salary--in-California
- https://www.ambitionbox.com/profile/fund-manager-salary
- https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/career-map/sell-side/capital-markets/2-and-20-hedge-fund-fees/
- https://hedgefunds.globaltradersacademy.org/en/news/hedge-fund-manager-salary/
- https://gocardless.com/guides/posts/what-does-a-hedge-fund-manager-do/
- https://www.glassdoor.com/Salary/Citadel-Salaries-E14937.htm
- https://www.blackrock.com/institutions/en-zz/strategies/alternatives/hedge-funds
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/so-you-want-hedge-fund-billionaire-jerry-nunn-t66oc
- https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/121614/where-does-hedge-fund-get-its-money.asp
- https://vault.com/professions/hedge-fund-managers/requirements
- https://mergersandinquisitions.com/hedge-funds/
- https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/resources/careers/salary/hedge-fund-pay-guide
- https://mergersandinquisitions.com/hedge-fund-career-path/
- https://www.titan.com/articles/how-to-invest-in-hedge-funds
- https://windroseadvisor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/The-Life-Cycle-of-Hedge-Funds.pdf
- https://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/portfoliomanager.asp
- https://www.cnbc.com/2014/05/30/penn-harvard-columbia-top-ranking-of-top-asset-management-schools.html
- https://www.investopedia.com/articles/professionals/112515/day-life-hedge-fund-manager.asp
- https://www.buysidehustle.com/the-step-by-step-guide-to-landing-a-hedge-fund-job/
- https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/how-to-become-portfolio-manager
- https://www.glassdoor.com/Salary/Netflix-Product-Manager-Salaries-E11891_D_KO8,23.htm
- https://www.quora.com/Do-all-hedge-fund-managers-live-work-in-New-York-City-or-the-Stamford-Greenwich-area-of-Connecticut
- https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Hedge-Funds-Salary
- https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/portfolio-manager-vs-hedge-fund-manager