Actuary Salary
Actuaries earn a median $130,000 a year nationally. Computer and Mathematical Occupations
What actuaries do
Analyze statistical data, such as mortality, accident, sickness, disability, and retirement rates and construct probability tables to forecast risk and liability for payment of future benefits. May ascertain insurance rates required and cash reserves necessary to ensure payment of future benefits.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Long-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +9.2% (much faster than average)
- Openings per year
- 1,500
Employment of actuaries is projected to grow 9.2% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 1,500 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Actuary take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$19,934
- Social Security (6.2%)$8,060
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,885
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$100,121
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $78,570 | $37.77 | $64,104 |
| 25th percentile | $97,680 | $46.96 | $77,548 |
| Median (50th) | $130,000 | $62.50 | $100,121 |
| 75th percentile | $170,650 | $82.04 | $127,905 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $215,100 | $103.41 | $160,048 |
Best cities for actuaries (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $161,460 | $113,138 | $100,511 | 2,780 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- New York, NY — $161,460
Actuary salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $166,800 | +12.5% | $117,416 | $99,430 – $228,810 | 1,380 |
| District of Columbia | $166,230 | +8.4% | $113,723 | $116,690 – $207,450 | 160 |
| New York | $156,480 | +17.0% | $110,028 | $82,250 – $239,200+ | 2,630 |
| New Jersey | $142,800 | +4.0% | $101,963 | $86,090 – $224,700 | 1,260 |
| Alabama | $136,950 | −4.4% | $98,289 | $71,240 – $160,740 | 190 |
| Arizona | $135,870 | +9.6% | $100,945 | $85,750 – $202,130 | 200 |
| Washington | $134,720 | −12.1% | $103,347 | $71,140 – $209,940 | 360 |
| Utah | $132,720 | +3.0% | $96,974 | $84,010 – $171,270 | 180 |
| Nevada | $132,370 | −0.1% | $101,741 | $77,090 – $207,580 | 120 |
| Florida | $132,110 | +7.2% | $101,563 | $80,450 – $206,700 | 1,300 |
| Virginia | $131,900 | −2.9% | $94,650 | $82,120 – $212,740 | 440 |
| Wisconsin | $131,640 | +7.8% | $95,646 | $76,890 – $204,790 | 890 |
| California | $130,510 | +5.0% | $90,865 | $83,510 – $219,490 | 1,280 |
| Oregon | $130,380 | +0.8% | $89,774 | $81,780 – $203,790 | 210 |
| Missouri | $129,220 | +8.6% | $94,452 | $77,780 – $207,080 | 390 |
| North Carolina | $128,730 | −0.9% | $94,625 | $72,420 – $193,830 | 610 |
| Iowa | $128,690 | −0.9% | $94,987 | $81,610 – $173,480 | 530 |
| Minnesota | $128,100 | +17.3% | $91,600 | $79,920 – $223,300 | 1,170 |
| Maryland | $126,950 | −4.4% | $92,319 | $76,670 – $185,220 | 580 |
| Massachusetts | $126,040 | +3.1% | $91,332 | $83,660 – $179,750 | — |
| Pennsylvania | $125,040 | +16.3% | $92,892 | $78,050 – $201,820 | 1,710 |
| Kansas | $125,010 | −0.5% | $90,534 | $75,260 – $207,040 | 180 |
| Colorado | $120,440 | −8.7% | $88,969 | $78,610 – $183,540 | 500 |
| Kentucky | $120,400 | −0.1% | $89,435 | $87,260 – $215,580 | 70 |
| Maine | $119,620 | −10.0% | $85,926 | $85,200 – $166,220 | 80 |
| Illinois | $115,430 | −5.4% | $84,466 | $77,790 – $202,160 | 2,280 |
| Rhode Island | $111,090 | +2.0% | $83,307 | $76,120 – $182,530 | 100 |
| Ohio | $110,980 | −4.0% | $84,635 | $77,110 – $175,190 | 1,090 |
| Oklahoma | $109,760 | −9.9% | $81,652 | $78,310 – $161,910 | 70 |
| Tennessee | $108,930 | −7.7% | $85,462 | $74,350 – $239,200+ | 300 |
| Mississippi | $106,210 | +9.3% | $80,032 | $63,480 – $239,200+ | 40 |
| Texas | $105,020 | +4.7% | $82,712 | $62,870 – $189,320 | 1,750 |
| Nebraska | $102,790 | +2.5% | $77,345 | $61,190 – $161,870 | 270 |
| Indiana | $100,690 | +3.1% | $76,725 | $65,690 – $142,220 | 780 |
| Michigan | $100,640 | −4.8% | $75,604 | $65,240 – $170,450 | 570 |
| Louisiana | $80,860 | −2.5% | $63,675 | $69,790 – $206,870 | 40 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematician | $126,710 | Master's degree | +0.6% |
| Data Scientist | $120,230 | Bachelor's degree | +34.6% |
| Statistician | $105,650 | Master's degree | +11.0% |
| Operations Research Analyst | $88,940 | Bachelor's degree | +11.9% |
| Mathematical Science Occupations, All Other | $81,490 | Bachelor's degree | +7.1% |
| Information Security Analyst | $129,180 | Bachelor's degree | +21.0% |
| Computer Network Architect | $134,050 | Bachelor's degree | +7.7% |
| Software Developer | $135,980 | Bachelor's degree | +10.2% |
| Database Architect | $139,500 | Bachelor's degree | +9.4% |
| Computer and Information Research Scientist | $140,300 | Master's degree | +21.8% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a actuary make?
The national median salary for actuaries is $130,000 a year ($62.50 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $78,570 and the top 10% earn over $215,100. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays actuaries the most?
Connecticut has the highest median pay at $166,800. After taxes and local prices, New York, NY offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many actuaries are there in the U.S.?
About 26,670 people work as actuaries nationwide.