Question 1

How much does a Actuary make?

Accepted Answer

The national median salary for a Actuary is $113,000, with a typical range from $75,000 (entry level, 10th percentile) to $200,000 (top earners, 90th percentile). Actual pay varies by city, industry, employer size, and experience.

Question 2

What is the entry-level salary for a Actuary?

Accepted Answer

Entry-level Actuary positions typically pay around $75,000 to $88,140, depending on metro, industry, and degree. New graduates can expect the lower end of this range; those with relevant internships or in-demand specializations often start higher.

Question 3

How much does a senior Actuary earn?

Accepted Answer

Senior Actuary professionals earn approximately $152,550 on average, with top performers and those at large employers exceeding $200,000. Senior pay is driven by scope, leadership, technical depth, and employer choice.

Question 4

Which cities pay the most for a Actuary?

Accepted Answer

Actuary pay is highest in major metros — typically San Francisco, New York, Seattle, Boston, Toronto, and Vancouver. After adjusting for cost of living, however, mid-tier metros often deliver higher purchasing power. Use the SalaryScope city tools to compare apples-to-apples.

Question 5

What education is required to become a Actuary?

Accepted Answer

The typical education path for a Actuary is Bachelor's degree. Relevant certifications, portfolios, and demonstrated skills can sometimes substitute for traditional credentials, especially in technical and trades roles.

Question 6

Is Actuary a growing career?

Accepted Answer

The 10-year employment outlook for Actuary is rated Much faster than average. SalaryScope combines federal projections with industry, automation-risk, and demand signals to produce a more precise Workforce Opportunity Score for this role.

Question 7

How can I increase my pay as a Actuary?

Accepted Answer

The highest-leverage ways to increase your Actuary pay are: (1) developing in-demand specializations that command a premium, (2) earning ROI-positive certifications, (3) switching employers strategically every 3-5 years, (4) negotiating every offer and review, and (5) considering geographic moves to higher-pay or lower-cost metros.

Question 8

What is the total compensation for a Actuary?

Accepted Answer

Total compensation for a Actuary includes base salary ($113,000 at median), an annual bonus (typically 5-25% of base), and at many employers equity (RSUs or options). Total comp can range from 1.05x to 1.5x of base depending on industry, level, and employer.

Level	Years	Salary
Entry	0–2 yrs	$84,750
Junior	3–5 yrs	$100,288
Mid	6–10 yrs	$113,000
Senior	11–15 yrs	$146,900
Lead / Principal	16–20 yrs	$180,800
Executive / Top Performer	20+ yrs	$213,344

City	COL	Median	p90
New York, NY	187	$211,300	$374,000
Los Angeles, CA	176	$198,900	$352,000
Toronto, ON	135	$152,600	$270,000
Chicago, IL	107	$120,900	$214,000
Houston, TX	96	$108,500	$192,000
Montreal, QC	98	$110,700	$196,000
Phoenix, AZ	104	$117,500	$208,000
Philadelphia, PA	101	$114,100	$202,000
San Antonio, TX	90	$101,700	$180,000
San Diego, CA	160	$180,800	$320,000
Dallas, TX	103	$116,400	$206,000
Calgary, AB	107	$120,900	$214,000

Education level	Estimated salary	vs Bachelor's
High School	$79,000	-30%
Associate Degree	$93,000	-18%
Bachelor's Degree	$113,000	—
Master's Degree	$141,000	25%
Doctorate / Professional	$175,000	55%
Professional Certifications	$127,000	12%

Actuary — Career & Salary Intelligence

Career overview

Salary by experience

Salary by location

Salary by education

10-year career growth forecast

Certifications that increase earnings

Career Opportunity Score breakdown

Frequently asked questions about Actuary