Current state of Prop trading?

Hi everyone!

I'm currently torn between two offers, and would appreciate some insight and views on the job outlook.

I currently work at a major exchange, doing quant development, primarily in python. I have two offers on the table:

1) Quant development at a major IB. This would be a steady job with long hours but good comp and exit opportunities.

2) Day trading at prop firm. They provide the capital, and you keep 20% of gross or 65% of net profits. There is no cap on the income. However, this old school point and click trading, there are no quant or technical skills built here. The hours and work life balance are excellent. The top 20% of traders have fantastic lifestyles.

My question is, in light of recent changes to bank prop trading regulations, how do you see prop as a career? How important is it for a prop desk to be quant rather than discretionary, from the perspective of building marketable skills? Any personal experience in a similar situation?

Thanks everyone!

1 Comments
 

Corporis aut quisquam sit minima odio. Et doloremque molestiae ipsam quo sapiente et dicta delectus. Quaerat nemo reiciendis repellat dolorem laboriosam. Ut id accusamus perferendis itaque aperiam eos doloremque suscipit. Consequuntur et nihil nostrum officia enim in ullam. Quos iste pariatur qui qui ut. Tenetur porro beatae consectetur.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Point72 99.0%
  • D.E. Shaw 98.0%
  • Citadel Investment Group 97.0%
  • AQR Capital Management 96.0%
  • Magnetar Capital 95.0%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Magnetar Capital 99.0%
  • D.E. Shaw 98.0%
  • Blackstone Group 97.0%
  • Citadel Investment Group 96.0%
  • Two Sigma Investments 94.9%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Hedge Fund

  • AQR Capital Management 99.0%
  • Point72 98.0%
  • D.E. Shaw 97.1%
  • Citadel Investment Group 96.1%
  • Magnetar Capital 95.1%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Portfolio Manager (9) $1,648
  • Vice President (27) $464
  • Director/MD (11) $372
  • NA (9) $320
  • Engineer/Quant (83) $287
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (26) $284
  • Manager (4) $282
  • 2nd Year Associate (32) $253
  • 1st Year Associate (76) $193
  • Analysts (234) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (29) $145
  • Junior Trader (5) $102
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (276) $95
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”