Average Salary for an Actuary in the USA 2025: Pay by Experience Levels, Top States & How to Earn More
Knowing your worth as an actuary helps you make smart career moves. It helps you negotiate better pay packages. Many people wonder how much actuaries really make.
They also want to know if the high salaries are worth the difficult exams. Some ask about the difference between entry-level and senior actuary pay.
This blog gives you complete information about actuary salaries in America. We will show you real salary numbers from trusted sources. You will learn how passing exams affects your pay. We will list which states pay actuaries the most money. The article includes practical tips to boost your actuary income. We answer common questions about bonuses, work hours, and career growth. Reading this will help you learn what actuaries earn. You'll also find ways to boost your earning potential in this well-paying field. Also explore other high-paying careers in finance and math, here.
Average Salary for an Actuary in the USA?
$127,840 per year (Average)
Data from various salary platforms like Indeed, Glassdoor, and PayScale shows that the average actuary salary in 2025 will be $127,840 a year.
We calculated this by reviewing several global salary surveys and government employment statistics. Indeed shows $127,840 annually, while Glassdoor reports $199,942 for experienced actuaries.PayScale lists $103,738 as the base average, and Talent.com indicates $151,225 yearly.
The current average salary shows strong growth from 2024 levels. This 5-8% rise is due to strong demand for risk management experts and growth in the insurance industry. Companies need more actuaries to handle complex financial risks and regulatory requirements.
Salary for an Actuary Key Metrics 2025
Average salary: Actuaries earn an average of $103,738 to $199,942 each year. This data comes from global salary surveys and various U.S. employment sources.
Salary range: The pay ranges from $66,855 at the entry level to $365,894 at the high end, based on government statistics and salary platform data. Most actuaries fall between $88,255 and $151,225 annually.
Salary by experience:
Entry level (0-2 years): $80,801 per year
Mid-career (3-7 years): $112,993 per year
Experienced (8-15 years): $151,225 per year
Senior level (15+ years): $199,942+ per year
75th percentile: Actuaries in the top 25% earn $149,956 or more annually, according to many USA salary surveys and employment data sources.
Salary for an Actuary: Regional Comparison
Location significantly affects actuary salaries across America. States with major financial centers and insurance companies pay the highest wages. Areas with many consulting firms also offer premium salaries. The concentration of actuarial jobs in each region drives compensation levels. Here's how salaries compare across top U.S. states for actuaries:
Based on employment survey data and state compensation statistics, New York offers the highest pay for actuaries, followed by Connecticut and Washington. These states have major insurance headquarters and financial centers. The best value for actuaries appears in states like Washington, which offers high salaries with more reasonable living costs compared to New York or Connecticut.
7 Tips to Grow Your Actuary Salary
1. Pass Professional Actuarial Exams: Complete Society of Actuaries (SOA) or Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) exams. Passing each exam usually boosts salary by $5,000 to $10,000. Fully credentialed actuaries earn 40% to 60% more than entry-level workers.
2. Gain Specialized Industry Experience: Focus on high-value areas like pension consulting, health insurance, or enterprise risk management. Specialized actuaries earn 15-25% more than general practice actuaries. This is based on several salary surveys.
3. Pursue Advanced Certifications: Earn Fellowship status (FSA or FCAS) for maximum earning potential. Fellows usually earn between $180,000 and $250,000 or more each year. This is a 50% to 80% increase compared to Associate-level actuaries.
4. Move to High-Paying Companies: Target large consulting firms, reinsurance companies, or investment banks. Top employers usually pay 20-40% more than smaller insurance firms, according to industry data.
5. Develop Leadership and Communication Skills: Build management and presentation abilities to move into executive roles. Actuarial executives and Chief Risk Officers can make over $300,000 a year. That’s much higher than what technical contributors earn.
6. Consider Consulting Career Path: Join actuarial consulting firms for premium compensation packages. Consulting actuaries usually make 15-30% more than their corporate counterparts. They also have chances for bonuses and faster career growth.
7. Stay Current with Technology and Data Analytics: Learn programming languages like R, Python, or SAS for data analysis roles. Tech-savvy actuaries command premium salaries as insurance companies modernize their risk modeling approaches.
FAQs About Actuary Salary
Is the average salary for an Actuary before or after tax?
All salary numbers shown are gross annual pay before taxes. You will need to subtract federal, state, and local taxes to calculate your actual take-home pay from actuary positions.
Do Actuaries receive bonuses on top of their base salary?
Yes, most actuaries receive annual bonuses ranging from 10-25% of their base salary. Performance bonuses, profit sharing, and exam completion bonuses are common in the actuarial profession.
How much do entry-level Actuaries make compared to experienced professionals?
Entry-level actuaries typically start around $80,801 annually, while experienced actuaries with fellowship credentials can earn $200,000+ per year. The salary growth potential is substantial with exam progression.
What benefits do Actuaries typically receive beyond salary?
Actuaries usually receive excellent benefits, including health insurance, retirement contributions, exam fee reimbursement, study time allowances, and professional development funding worth 20-30% of base salary.
How does an Actuary's pay compare to other finance and math careers?
Actuaries typically earn more than statisticians, financial analysts, or accountants. The profession ranks among the top-paying careers for math and statistics graduates, comparable to data scientists and quantitative analysts.
Can Actuaries work remotely and still earn competitive salaries?
Yes, many actuarial positions now offer remote or hybrid work options. Remote actuaries typically earn the same base salaries as office-based colleagues, though some companies adjust for location differences.
How long does it take to reach peak Actuary salary levels?
Most actuaries reach peak earning potential within 10-15 years of starting their careers, assuming they complete fellowship requirements and gain specialized experience. The timeline depends heavily on exam progression speed.
What's the job outlook for Actuary salaries in 2025 and beyond?
The actuary profession shows continued strong growth with positive salary trends. Increasing regulatory requirements and risk management focus suggest that actuarial salaries will continue rising above average professional growth rates.
Check out our guide on the best programming skills for finance careers.
All pay information is current as of 2025. Data comes from several global salary surveys and government statistics, 2025.
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