Actuary Salary in 2026
Actuaries use mathematics, statistics, and financial theory to assess risk and uncertainty in insurance, pensions, and investments. They design policies and calculate premiums.
Median Salary
$130,000
$10,833/mo
Entry Level
$79,400
starting pay
Senior Level
$176,000
experienced
Job Growth
+21%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Actuaries (SOC 15-2011) at a national median of $130,000 per year (mean $141,480), or $62.50 per hour, with 26,670 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
Actuary Overview
Actuaries use mathematics, statistics, and financial theory to assess risk and uncertainty in insurance, pensions, and investments. They design policies and calculate premiums.
Education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
2-5 years
Industry
Finance
Total Jobs (US)
27K
5-Year Growth
+23%
Category
Finance
Hourly Rate
$62.50/hr
Monthly Pay
$10,833
Actuary Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Actuary salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Actuary Salary
$143,000
$11,917/month · $5,500/biweekly · $68.75/hr
Actuary Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Actuary field.
Entry-level Actuarys earn around $79,400, while the top 10% earn $204,750 or more.
Top Paying States for Actuarys
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $150,000 | +$20,000 |
| Massachusetts | $146,000 | +$16,000 |
| Connecticut | $143,000 | +$13,000 |
| Illinois | $135,000 | +$5,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $130,000 | $0 |
Top Paying Cities for Actuarys
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $153,000 | +$23,000 |
| Boston | $146,000 | +$16,000 |
| Hartford | $138,000 | +$8,000 |
| Chicago | $137,000 | +$7,000 |
| Philadelphia | $133,000 | +$3,000 |
City figures are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier; BLS does not publish a metro-level series for this title.
Actuary Salary by City
Published city-level wage and take-home pay guides for Actuary.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Actuary Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Actuary from entry level to expert.
$79,400
0-2 years
$128,000
3-7 years
$176,000
8-14 years
$233,500
15+ years
Related Finance Jobs
Actuary Salary FAQ
How much does a Actuary make in 2026?
The median salary for a Actuary in the United States is $130,000 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Actuaries (SOC 15-2011); the mean is $141,480. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $79,400, senior professionals around $176,000, and top earners at $233,500 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Actuary?
A Actuary typically requires a Bachelor's Degree with 2-5 years of experience. Key skills include Statistical Modeling, Risk Assessment, R. Relevant certifications such as ASA or FSA can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Actuarys?
The job market for Actuarys is projected to grow by 21% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 27K Actuary positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 23%, reflecting strong demand for this role.
Which states pay Actuarys the most?
The highest-paying states for Actuarys include Connecticut, New York, Illinois. In Connecticut, the median salary is approximately $143,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Actuary salary?
To increase your Actuary salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Statistical Modeling and Risk Assessment. Pursue certifications such as ASA. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like Hartford. With 2-5 years of experience, you can progress from $79,400 to $176,000 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Actuary Salary
How we calculate Actuary salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Actuaries (SOC 15-2011), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $130,000, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Actuaries; BLS mean $141,480; BLS hourly median $62.50.
- Entry-level ($79,400) and senior-level ($176,000) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +21% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 26,670 Actuaries jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 23% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Finance sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $130,000; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Actuary compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Actuary job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Finance
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Actuary salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Statistical Modeling, Risk Assessment, R), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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