Actuaries
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.
Also called: Actuarial Analyst, Actuarial Associate, Actuarial Consultant, Actuarial Mathematician, Actuarial Specialist, Actuary
Median pay
$130,000
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$78,570 – $215,100
People employed
26,670
Holland code
CIE
Conventional · Investigative · Enterprising
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you prefer working indoors?
- 2.Are you comfortable sitting at a desk most of the day?
- 3.Do you want a job with little physical risk?
- 4.Are you happy working mostly on your own, with little contact with others?
- 5.Would you rather not deal with customers or the public?
- 6.Do you prefer a steady pace without constant deadlines?
- 7.Do you want the same hours every week?
- 8.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
Actuaries pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (35 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What actuaries do
- 01Analyze data to determine premium rates required and cash reserves and liabilities necessary to ensure payment of future benefits.
- 02Analyze statistical information to estimate mortality, accident, sickness, disability, and retirement rates.
- 03Design, review, and help administer insurance, annuity and pension plans, determining financial soundness and calculating premiums.
- 04Collaborate with programmers, underwriters, accounts, claims experts, and senior management to help companies develop plans for new lines of business or improvements to existing business.
- 05Provide advice to clients on a contract basis, working as a consultant.
- 06Determine, or help determine, company policy, and explain complex technical matters to company executives, government officials, shareholders, policyholders, or the public.
Skills that matter most
- Mathematics
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Speaking
- Writing
Knowledge
- Mathematics
- Economics and Accounting
- Computers and Electronics
- English Language
- Administration and Management
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Cautiousness
- Intellectual Curiosity
Education and first steps
O*NET has no education survey data for this job.
How people get started
- Usually needs a bachelor's degree (O*NET Job Zone 4).
- Related work experience: none.
- On-the-job training: over 6 months, up to and including 1 year.
- A professional certification is often expected.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from actuaries
- Economists82% · −4%
- Personal Financial Advisors81% · −19%
- Treasurers and Controllers81% · group pay
- Financial Managers79% · +28%
- Financial Examiners79% · −28%
Change into actuaries
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Credit Analysts84% · $83,510
- Financial Quantitative Analysts84% · $81,100
- Budget Analysts83% · $91,640
- Insurance Underwriters83% · $81,370
- Accountants and Auditors82% · $83,680
Majors that lead here
- Applied Mathematics, General
- Computational and Applied Mathematics
- Statistics, General
- Mathematical Statistics and Probability
- Mathematics and Statistics
- Statistics, Other
- Applied Statistics, General
- Risk Management
- Actuarial Science
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.