Quantitative Analyst Jobs in Illinois
Quantitative Analyst jobs in Illinois concentrate heavily in Chicago's financial district and surrounding suburbs, where demand for skilled quants runs deep across proprietary trading firms, asset management companies, and insurance carriers, with openings available from entry-level analyst through senior and principal roles. Chicago-area employers including Citadel, CME Group, and Morningstar are among the most consistent Illinois hirers of quantitative talent, and the broader market extends into Naperville and Evanston. The most in-demand specializations are algorithmic trading strategy, risk modeling, and derivatives pricing. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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The Group : Morningstar Indexes is building the next generation of index products at the intersection of markets, quant research, data science, and AI. This is a hands-on builder role for someone who wants to move fast, experiment with new tools, turn bold ideas into scalable index solutions, and help redefine how investment products are researched, tested, and launched.
Responsibilities:
- Build and launch new benchmark, thematic, factor, strategic beta, and multi-asset indexes from concept to market in partnership with research, product, technology, operations, and commercial teams.
- Drive the full product innovation cycle—spot opportunities, explore data, test signals, run back-tests, shape methodology, solve implementation challenges, and get products launch-ready.
- Use quant techniques, machine learning, portfolio construction, risk analytics, and statistical testing to turn investment ideas into durable, rules-based index methodologies.
- Push the use of AI, coding assistants, and agentic workflows to automate research, speed up analysis, test methodology logic, and make product development smarter and faster. Bring builder energy to the team by creating tools, prototypes, dashboards, research insights, and client-ready stories that make complex quant and AI ideas easy to understand and exciting to use.
Requirements:
- 6+ years of experience in indexes, asset management, investment banking, fintech, systematic investing, quantitative research, or a related investment technology environment.
- Strong quant toolkit, including hands-on experience with investment analysis, factor research, portfolio construction, back-testing, risk analytics, or systematic strategy design.
- Comfortable writing code and working with data using Python, R, SQL, MATLAB, or similar tools to prototype ideas, analyze large datasets, and automate repeatable workflows.
- Excited by AI-first ways of working, with experience using tools such as Microsoft Copilot, GitHub Copilot, Claude Code, Gemini, ChatGPT, or similar platforms; exposure to AI agents, RAG, or workflow orchestration is a plus.
- Clear communicator who can translate complex quant, AI, and investment concepts into methodology documents, research notes, presentations, and compelling client-facing narratives.
- Experience developing and using optimized portfolio construction and risk modelling tools, factor investment strategies, private equity data, and index derivatives strategies is a strong plus. This position is based in our Chicago office.
Why this role is exciting: You will join a global indexes team with the freedom to build, experiment, and scale new ideas—using AI, quant research, and modern development tools to create products that can reach investors around the world.
This role does not qualify for immigration sponsorship. Morningstar will not be considering candidates that require immigration sponsorship now or in the future. This role is required to be in Chicago office four days a week.
Compensation and Benefits
At Morningstar we believe people are at their best when they are at their healthiest. That’s why we champion your wellness through a wide range of programs that support all stages of your personal and professional life. Here are some examples of the offerings we provide:
Financial Health
100% 401k match up to 6% of salary
Stock Ownership Potential
Company provided life insurance - 1x salary + commission
Physical Health
Comprehensive health benefits (medical/dental/vision) including potential premium discounts and company-provided HSA contributions (up to $500-$2,000 annually) for specific plans and coverages
Additional medical Wellness Incentives - up to $300-$600 annual
Company-provided long- and short-term disability insurance
Emotional Health
Trust-Based Time Off
6-week Paid Sabbatical Program
6-Week Paid Family Caregiving Leave
Competitive 8-24 Week Paid Parental Leave
Adoption Assistance
Leadership Coaching & Formal Mentorship Opportunities
Annual Flex Stipend - $1000 annually to cover personal education & well-being expenses
Tuition Reimbursement
Social Health
Charitable Matching Gifts program
Dollars for Doers volunteer program
Paid volunteering days
15+ Employee Resource & Affinity Groups
Total Cash Compensation Range
$147,550.00-226,233.33Inclusive of annual base salary and target incentive
Morningstar's hybrid work environment gives you the opportunity to collaborate in-person each week as we've found that we're at our best when we're purposely together on a regular basis. In most of our locations, our hybrid work model is four days in-office each week. A range of other benefits are also available to enhance flexibility as needs change. No matter where you are, you'll have tools and resources to engage meaningfully with your global colleagues.
001_MstarInc Morningstar Inc. Legal EntitySee All 9 Quantitative Analyst Jobs in Illinois
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Find Quantitative Analyst JobsQuantitative Analyst Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Quantitative Analyst Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Investment & Asset Management
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in quantitative analyst jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's or advanced degree in mathematics, statistics, finance, or a related quantitative field
- Proficiency in Python, R, or MATLAB for model development and data analysis
- Experience building and validating statistical or machine learning models in a finance context
- Strong knowledge of derivatives, fixed income, or equity markets relevant to Illinois trading firms
- Familiarity with SQL and large financial datasets for signal research or risk reporting
- Ability to communicate quantitative findings clearly to non-technical stakeholders and risk committees
Quantitative Analyst Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a quantitative analyst in Illinois?
Illinois does not require a state-issued license to work as a quantitative analyst, so the path focuses on education and credentials recognized by employers. Most Illinois hiring firms expect at least a bachelor's degree in mathematics, statistics, economics, computer science, or a closely related field, with a master's or PhD strongly preferred for roles at Chicago's major trading firms. Industry certifications such as the CFA or FRM are valued in asset management and risk roles and can accelerate hiring for candidates without an advanced degree.
How much do quantitative analysts make in Illinois?
Quantitative analysts in Illinois earn a median of about $81,180 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $50,240 for the lowest 10% to over $147,230 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire quantitative analysts in Illinois?
Employers hiring quantitative analysts in Illinois right now include Capital One, Morningstar, and Akuna Capital, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Chicago's deep concentration of proprietary trading firms, insurance carriers, and asset managers means Illinois consistently produces more quantitative analyst openings than nearly any other U.S. market outside New York.
Which Illinois cities have the most quantitative analyst jobs?
Chicago, Riverwoods, and Itasca lead Illinois for quantitative analyst openings. Chicago accounts for the large majority of postings, driven by its dense cluster of hedge funds, futures exchanges, and financial technology firms headquartered in and around the Loop, while suburban locations like Naperville and Evanston attract openings tied to insurance companies and university-affiliated research operations.
Are there remote quantitative analyst jobs in Illinois?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 50% of quantitative analyst openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, reflecting how naturally the work translates to a distributed setup. Model development, backtesting, and research tasks are the most remote-compatible parts of the role, while positions requiring real-time trading floor access or close collaboration with risk committees tend to remain on-site.
How can I get hired as a quantitative analyst in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is an internship or rotational program at one of Chicago's large financial firms, where employers like CME Group and major insurance carriers regularly bring on candidates directly from Illinois universities including the University of Chicago, Northwestern, and the University of Illinois. Adjacent roles such as financial analyst, data analyst, or risk analyst at these firms often serve as a natural bridge into a dedicated quant position. Building a portfolio of original modeling or research projects and earning a CFA or FRM credential meaningfully strengthens a candidate's profile for Illinois employers who review many applications from quantitatively trained graduates.
Where can I find and apply to quantitative analyst jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to quantitative analyst jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to each one.
See All 9 Quantitative Analyst Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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