[dev_jim]

> For any job that you're likely to get in your 20s, NYC finance jobs pay worse, have far longer hours, and are much more high-pressure.

If you're working in the front office then your pay is going to be a multiple of a startup job. And it's going to be significantly higher then any established company in the area (Amazon, Facebook, Google). A good rule of thumb is your base will be similar what established companies pay and your bonus is all gravy.

Pressure and hours vary by firm. It's hard to generalize.

[bigbang]

I'm not sure how much bonuses software engineers get. I've heard it's great for bankers, traders etc. But do software engineers(who work on building infra/tools, not the kind who write trading algos) get paid good bonuses as well? By good I mean 30%+

[dev_jim]

The closer to the trade you are the higher bonus is as a percentage of your total comp. I did mention "front office" in my original post.

- Infrastructure is vital to most trades. Bonuses are going to more than 30% if you're on the cutting edge here - prop shops, some technology oriented hedge funds, and some banks.

- If by tools you mean GUIs then no.

- Engineers who write trading algos (or more likely algo components that are used by a trader at a higher level) will have a bonus that is more than 30%.

[bigbang]

Thanks for the clarification. Is it feasible to get into a prop shop or hedge fund as a programmer and "graduate" to trader? How common is it?

[dev_jim]

Common enough. Skills are so specialized thhough that it doesn't always make sense to switch though. Its a different career track, not a promotion. Top end trader will make more but top end developer will make more then the average trader. You should focus on what you are good at.