How much does a actuary make?
The median actuary in the United States earns $130,000 per year, about $62.50 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all actuaries earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 15-2011.
Actuary salary range
Pay for actuaries spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $78,570 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $215,100. The average (mean) wage of $141,480 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $78,570 | $37.77 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $97,680 | $46.96 | |
| Median (50th) | $130,000 | $62.50 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $170,650 | $82.04 | |
| 90th percentile | $215,100 | $103.41 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for actuaries (SOC 15-2011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Actuary salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Actuaries earn the most in Connecticut at $166,800 a year, and the least in Louisiana at $80,860. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $166,800 | 1,380 |
| District of Columbia | $166,230 | 160 |
| New York | $156,480 | 2,630 |
| New Jersey | $142,800 | 1,260 |
| Alabama | $136,950 | 190 |
| Arizona | $135,870 | 200 |
| Washington | $134,720 | 360 |
| Utah | $132,720 | 180 |
| Nevada | $132,370 | 120 |
| Florida | $132,110 | 1,300 |
| Virginia | $131,900 | 440 |
| Wisconsin | $131,640 | 890 |
| California | $130,510 | 1,280 |
| Oregon | $130,380 | 210 |
| Missouri | $129,220 | 390 |
| North Carolina | $128,730 | 610 |
| Iowa | $128,690 | 530 |
| Minnesota | $128,100 | 1,170 |
| Maryland | $126,950 | 580 |
| Massachusetts | $126,040 | N/A |
| Pennsylvania | $125,040 | 1,710 |
| Kansas | $125,010 | 180 |
| Colorado | $120,440 | 500 |
| Kentucky | $120,400 | 70 |
| Maine | $119,620 | 80 |
| Illinois | $115,430 | 2,280 |
| Rhode Island | $111,090 | 100 |
| Ohio | $110,980 | 1,090 |
| Oklahoma | $109,760 | 70 |
| Tennessee | $108,930 | 300 |
| Mississippi | $106,210 | 40 |
| Texas | $105,020 | 1,750 |
| Nebraska | $102,790 | 270 |
| Indiana | $100,690 | 780 |
| Michigan | $100,640 | 570 |
| Louisiana | $80,860 | 40 |
State median wages for actuaries (SOC 15-2011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for actuaries
The BLS projects employment of actuaries to grow 9.2% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 31,200 jobs in 2025 moving toward 34,100 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,500 openings a year for actuaries. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an actuary
The typical entry-level education for actuaries is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete long-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an actuary earns
Seniority, employer, location, and specialization matter most. Workers at large tech firms and in expensive metros like San Francisco, Seattle, and New York cluster near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Connecticut, $166,800) and the lowest (Louisiana, $80,860) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 26,670 people work as actuaries in the United States. At $130,000 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Actuary salary FAQ
How much does an actuary make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an actuary is $62.50. The middle half of actuaries earn between $46.96 and $82.04 per hour.
What is the highest actuary salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of actuaries earn more than $215,100 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an actuary make a year?
The median annual salary for an actuary is $130,000. The average (mean) wage of $141,480 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an actuary a well paid job?
At $130,000 a year, an actuary earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 26,670 people work as actuaries in the United States.
Which state pays actuaries the most?
Connecticut has the highest median salary for actuaries at $166,800 a year. District of Columbia ($166,230) and New York ($156,480) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an actuary a good career?
Employment of actuaries is projected to grow 9.2% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,500 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an actuary?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for actuaries as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
Related salaries
See more in Technology & IT salaries or browse the highest paying jobs in the U.S.