Actuary salary
BLS occupation: Actuaries · Computers and math · data for May 2025
Median salary $130,000 a year, US
Median hourly pay $62.50 an hour
Middle half earn $97,680–$170,650 25th to 75th percentile
Actuarys employed 26,670 +9.2% projected by 2035
How much does an actuary make?
- The median actuary salary in the US is $130,000 a year ($62.50 an hour): half of the 26,670 actuarys BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $141,480.
- The middle half earn between $97,680 and $170,650. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $78,570 and the top 10% more than $215,100.
- That is 2.6 times the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- Connecticut pays actuarys the most (median $166,800), followed by the District of Columbia ($166,230) and New York ($156,480). Louisiana pays the least ($80,860).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in Connecticut, where the median is worth $160,988 in typical US prices, then Alabama and the District of Columbia.
- In 68 of the 70 metro areas with data, the median actuary salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of actuarys to grow 9.2% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 1,500 openings a year. The typical entry education is a bachelor's degree.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what actuarys are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
Actuary salary range
Half of actuarys earn between $97,680 and $170,650 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Lowest 10% earn under Yearly pay: $78,570
Lowest 25% earn under Yearly pay: $97,680
Median Yearly pay: $130,000
Top 25% earn over Yearly pay: $170,650
Top 10% earn over Yearly pay: $215,100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $78,570 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $97,680 |
| Median | $130,000 |
| Top 25% earn over | $170,650 |
| Top 10% earn over | $215,100 |
Actuary salary by state
Connecticut pays actuarys the most; Louisiana the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($130,000), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | $166,800 median |
| District of Columbia | $166,230 median |
| New York | $156,480 median |
| New Jersey | $142,800 median |
| Alabama | $136,950 median |
| Arizona | $135,870 median |
| Washington | $134,720 median |
| Utah | $132,720 median |
| Nevada | $132,370 median |
| Florida | $132,110 median |
| Virginia | $131,900 median |
| Wisconsin | $131,640 median |
| California | $130,510 median |
| Oregon | $130,380 median |
| Missouri | $129,220 median |
| North Carolina | $128,730 median |
| Iowa | $128,690 median |
| Minnesota | $128,100 median |
| Maryland | $126,950 median |
| Massachusetts | $126,040 median |
| Pennsylvania | $125,040 median |
| Kansas | $125,010 median |
| Colorado | $120,440 median |
| Kentucky | $120,400 median |
| Maine | $119,620 median |
| Illinois | $115,430 median |
| Rhode Island | $111,090 median |
| Ohio | $110,980 median |
| Oklahoma | $109,760 median |
| Tennessee | $108,930 median |
| Mississippi | $106,210 median |
| Texas | $105,020 median |
| Nebraska | $102,790 median |
| Indiana | $100,690 median |
| Michigan | $100,640 median |
| Louisiana | $80,860 median |
Where actuary pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
Actuarys' pay goes furthest in Connecticut once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | $160,988 |
| Alabama | $154,183 |
| District of Columbia | $151,254 |
| Iowa | $146,635 |
| New York | $144,995 |
| Missouri | $142,286 |
| Wisconsin | $139,901 |
| Kansas | $138,795 |
| North Carolina | $136,474 |
| Arizona | $134,956 |
Actuary pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Hourly | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $166,800 | $80.19 | $99,430 | $228,810 | 1,380 | $160,988 |
| District of Columbia | $166,230 | $79.92 | $116,690 | $207,450 | 160 | $151,254 |
| New York | $156,480 | $75.23 | $82,250 | $277,800 | 2,630 | $144,995 |
| New Jersey | $142,800 | $68.65 | $86,090 | $224,700 | 1,260 | $131,244 |
| Alabama | $136,950 | $65.84 | $71,240 | $160,740 | 190 | $154,183 |
| Arizona | $135,870 | $65.32 | $85,750 | $202,130 | 200 | $134,956 |
| Washington | $134,720 | $64.77 | $71,140 | $209,940 | 360 | $125,891 |
| Utah | $132,720 | $63.81 | $84,010 | $171,270 | 180 | $134,245 |
| Nevada | $132,370 | $63.64 | $77,090 | $207,580 | 120 | $132,398 |
| Florida | $132,110 | $63.51 | $80,450 | $206,700 | 1,300 | $127,749 |
| Virginia | $131,900 | $63.41 | $82,120 | $212,740 | 440 | $130,460 |
| Wisconsin | $131,640 | $63.29 | $76,890 | $204,790 | 890 | $139,901 |
| California | $130,510 | $62.75 | $83,510 | $219,490 | 1,280 | $117,874 |
| Oregon | $130,380 | $62.68 | $81,780 | $203,790 | 210 | $126,140 |
| Missouri | $129,220 | $62.13 | $77,780 | $207,080 | 390 | $142,286 |
| North Carolina | $128,730 | $61.89 | $72,420 | $193,830 | 610 | $136,474 |
| Iowa | $128,690 | $61.87 | $81,610 | $173,480 | 530 | $146,635 |
| Minnesota | $128,100 | $61.59 | $79,920 | $223,300 | 1,170 | $129,891 |
| Maryland | $126,950 | $61.03 | $76,670 | $185,220 | 580 | $120,952 |
| Massachusetts | $126,040 | $60.60 | $83,660 | $179,750 | – | $119,179 |
| Pennsylvania | $125,040 | $60.12 | $78,050 | $201,820 | 1,710 | $128,152 |
| Kansas | $125,010 | $60.10 | $75,260 | $207,040 | 180 | $138,795 |
| Colorado | $120,440 | $57.90 | $78,610 | $183,540 | 500 | $116,873 |
| Kentucky | $120,400 | $57.88 | $87,260 | $215,580 | 70 | $133,542 |
| Maine | $119,620 | $57.51 | $85,200 | $166,220 | 80 | $123,256 |
| Illinois | $115,430 | $55.50 | $77,790 | $202,160 | 2,280 | $115,479 |
| Rhode Island | $111,090 | $53.41 | $76,120 | $182,530 | 100 | $108,614 |
| Ohio | $110,980 | $53.36 | $77,110 | $175,190 | 1,090 | $119,624 |
| Oklahoma | $109,760 | $52.77 | $78,310 | $161,910 | 70 | $124,950 |
| Tennessee | $108,930 | $52.37 | $74,350 | $248,240 | 300 | $118,570 |
| Mississippi | $106,210 | $51.06 | $63,480 | $256,130 | 40 | $122,146 |
| Texas | $105,020 | $50.49 | $62,870 | $189,320 | 1,750 | $108,204 |
| Nebraska | $102,790 | $49.42 | $61,190 | $161,870 | 270 | $114,081 |
| Indiana | $100,690 | $48.41 | $65,690 | $142,220 | 780 | $107,887 |
| Michigan | $100,640 | $48.38 | $65,240 | $170,450 | 570 | $104,597 |
| Louisiana | $80,860 | $38.88 | $69,790 | $206,870 | 40 | $91,671 |
BLS does not publish pay for actuarys in 15 states (too few workers to estimate reliably). After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
Actuary salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes actuary pay: 71 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- Bridgeport, CT $194,130
- San Francisco, CA $175,330
- Hartford, CT $166,800
- Las Vegas, NV $163,350
- New York, NY $161,460
- Washington, DC $144,680
- Waterbury, CT $143,430
- Raleigh, NC $142,180
- New Haven, CT $141,020
- Miami, FL $139,810
Where the pay goes furthest
- Bridgeport, CT $181,661
- Las Vegas, NV $163,000
- Hartford, CT $162,342
- San Francisco, CA $151,652
- Birmingham, AL $144,952
- Raleigh, NC $144,850
- Waterbury, CT $143,749
- New York, NY $143,440
- Des Moines, IA $142,354
- Kansas City, MO $142,291
All 71 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport, CT | $194,130 | 220 | $181,661 | 18% |
| San Francisco, CA | $175,330 | 220 | $151,652 | 24% |
| Hartford, CT | $166,800 | 960 | $162,342 | 14% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $163,350 | 80 | $163,000 | 13% |
| New York, NY | $161,460 | 2,780 | $143,440 | 26% |
| Washington, DC | $144,680 | 520 | $132,875 | 20% |
| Waterbury, CT | $143,430 | 30 | $143,749 | – |
| Raleigh, NC | $142,180 | 120 | $144,850 | 14% |
| New Haven, CT | $141,020 | 40 | $134,871 | 17% |
| Miami, FL | $139,810 | 310 | $122,474 | 23% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $138,570 | 170 | $134,122 | 15% |
| Portland, ME | $138,220 | 50 | $135,699 | 20% |
| Madison, WI | $135,330 | 170 | $139,104 | 16% |
| Seattle, WA | $134,720 | 230 | $121,224 | 20% |
| Columbia, SC | $133,060 | 80 | $142,064 | 14% |
| Birmingham, AL | $132,840 | 130 | $144,952 | 13% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $132,830 | 130 | $133,519 | 15% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $132,720 | 150 | $131,578 | 15% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $132,010 | 310 | $136,181 | 14% |
| Richmond, VA | $131,900 | 120 | $134,787 | 16% |
| Kansas City, MO | $131,680 | 180 | $142,291 | 14% |
| San Jose, CA | $131,040 | 120 | $118,671 | 35% |
| Des Moines, IA | $130,540 | 400 | $142,354 | 12% |
| Rochester, NY | $130,220 | 70 | $134,199 | 14% |
| Boston, MA | $129,590 | – | $119,696 | 28% |
| Trenton, NJ | $129,540 | 110 | $125,548 | 23% |
| St. Louis, MO | $129,360 | 250 | $136,042 | 13% |
| Portland, OR | $129,100 | 130 | $122,461 | 17% |
| Charlotte, NC | $128,730 | 280 | $132,237 | 16% |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $128,290 | 60 | $138,584 | 12% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $127,970 | 380 | $112,683 | 27% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $127,770 | 780 | $124,588 | 18% |
| Dallas, TX | $127,690 | 510 | $123,863 | 16% |
| Baltimore, MD | $126,950 | 340 | $121,498 | 18% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $125,960 | 1,020 | $120,166 | 17% |
| Tallahassee, FL | $125,670 | 40 | $133,807 | 14% |
| Riverside, CA | $124,140 | 40 | $116,627 | 24% |
| Worcester, MA | $123,170 | 80 | $120,139 | 21% |
| Austin, TX | $122,550 | 150 | $124,967 | 16% |
| Orlando, FL | $122,250 | – | $120,541 | 19% |
| Denver, CO | $120,440 | 400 | $113,857 | 19% |
| Nashville, TN | $119,090 | 110 | $123,617 | 18% |
| Springfield, MA | $118,130 | – | $122,974 | 20% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $117,600 | 170 | $124,220 | 15% |
| Springfield, IL | $117,590 | 30 | $126,789 | 12% |
| Akron, OH | $117,430 | 50 | $125,768 | 13% |
| Sacramento, CA | $116,580 | 110 | $109,290 | 23% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $113,760 | 50 | $112,961 | 19% |
| Chicago, IL | $113,730 | 1,560 | $109,783 | 23% |
| Scranton, PA | $110,300 | 40 | $117,897 | 15% |
| Buffalo, NY | $110,190 | 90 | $114,968 | 16% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $109,760 | 50 | $121,405 | 15% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $108,770 | 340 | $114,051 | 17% |
| Providence, RI | $108,010 | 100 | $106,128 | 24% |
| San Diego, CA | $107,890 | 60 | $96,428 | 33% |
| Omaha, NE | $107,130 | 140 | $116,558 | 16% |
| Harrisburg, PA | $106,600 | 120 | $108,059 | 17% |
| Columbus, OH | $106,540 | 300 | $111,596 | 17% |
| Tampa, FL | $106,490 | 350 | $105,551 | 22% |
| Jackson, MS | $106,250 | 30 | $119,318 | 17% |
| Detroit, MI | $105,640 | 240 | $105,326 | 17% |
| Cleveland, OH | $104,870 | 180 | $111,655 | 16% |
| Davenport, IA | $104,210 | 50 | $116,986 | 12% |
| San Antonio, TX | $102,560 | 120 | $108,282 | 17% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $101,490 | 40 | $103,624 | 22% |
| Syracuse, NY | $101,430 | 110 | $105,941 | 19% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $101,040 | 490 | $105,584 | 18% |
| Green Bay, WI | $99,710 | 60 | $107,116 | 13% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $97,210 | 60 | $101,742 | 20% |
| Houston, TX | $81,670 | 390 | $82,805 | 24% |
| Lansing, MI | $80,910 | 180 | $85,176 | 19% |
What the median actuary salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $130,000 |
| Month | $10,833 |
| Every two weeks | $5,000 |
| Week | $2,500 |
| Hour | $62.50 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year, 2,080 hours. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming an actuary: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | None |
| On-the-job training | Long-term on-the-job training |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | +9.2% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 1,500 |
| Self-employed | % |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs. What the work involves: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Similar jobs
| Job | Median a year | Typical education |
|---|---|---|
| Software engineer | $135,980 | Bachelor's degree |
| Cybersecurity analyst | $129,180 | Bachelor's degree |
| Data scientist | $120,230 | Bachelor's degree |
| Network engineer | $134,050 | Bachelor's degree |
| Network administrator | $99,130 | Bachelor's degree |
| UX designer | $104,000 | Bachelor's degree |
| Systems analyst | $105,850 | Bachelor's degree |
| Web developer | $92,650 | Bachelor's degree |
Questions about actuary pay
How much does an actuary make an hour?
The median is $62.50 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $37.77 and the top 10% over $103.41.
How much does an actuary make a month?
About $10,833 a month before taxes at the median salary of $130,000, or $5,000 every two weeks.
What state pays actuarys the most?
Connecticut, with a median of $166,800. The District of Columbia ($166,230), New York ($156,480), New Jersey ($142,800) and Alabama ($136,950) follow.
Where do actuarys make the most after cost of living?
Connecticut: its median of $166,800 is worth $160,988 at typical US prices. Alabama, the District of Columbia and Iowa come next.
How much do entry-level actuarys make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of actuarys earn under $78,570 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $97,680, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become an actuary?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as a bachelor's degree. Work experience in a related job: none. On-the-job training: long-term on-the-job training.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 15-2011 (Actuaries). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.