Salary Guides/Actuary

Actuary Salary Guide

Real salary ranges for Actuarys in the US market — what you should expect, and what you can negotiate.

Salary Ranges

25TH PERCENTILE

$65,000

Entry-level or lower cost-of-living markets

50TH PERCENTILE

$95,000

Median — most roles fall here

75TH PERCENTILE

$145,000

Experienced, larger market or company

90TH PERCENTILE

$210,000

Top earners, premium markets

Actuarial compensation is heavily driven by exam progression, with each passed exam (ASA, FSA/ACAS/FCAS) commanding 15-25% raises; FSA/FCAS designation holders earn 60-80% more than ASA peers. P&C actuaries typically earn 5-10% more than life/health counterparts, while pension actuaries command the highest premiums due to specialized knowledge.

Top-Paying Cities

New York, NY$165,000

Chicago, IL$155,000

San Francisco, CA$150,000

Boston, MA$145,000

Philadelphia, PA$130,000

Top-Paying Industries

Pension/Retirement Planning$165,000

Property & Casualty Insurance$155,000

Reinsurance$150,000

Consulting/Actuarial Firms$140,000

Life & Health Insurance$120,000

Negotiation Tip for Actuarys

Quantify your exam timeline and expected completion date during offer negotiation—employers often build in signing bonuses and exam reimbursement up to $2,500/exam and paid study time; explicitly request these as non-salary benefits to maximize total compensation.

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