Actuary Salary in 2026
How Much Do Actuarys Make?
Actuarys earn a median annual salary of $125,770 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $75,240 at the 10th percentile to $206,430 at the 90th percentile — a range of $131,190. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $153,340.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $75,240 |
| 25th percentile | $90,970 |
| Median (50th) | $125,770 |
| 75th percentile | $164,860 |
| 90th percentile | $206,430 |
Actuary Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbiatop | $153,340 |
| Washington | $153,260 |
| Connecticut | $148,220 |
| Alabama | $143,230 |
| New Jersey | $137,330 |
| Virginia | $135,880 |
| New York | $133,730 |
| Maine | $132,970 |
| Maryland | $132,740 |
| Nevada | $132,470 |
| Colorado | $131,940 |
| Iowa | $129,870 |
| North Carolina | $129,850 |
| Oregon | $129,340 |
| Utah | $128,860 |
| Kansas | $125,690 |
| California | $124,240 |
| Arizona | $124,000 |
| Florida | $123,220 |
| Massachusetts | $122,230 |
| Wisconsin | $122,140 |
| Illinois | $121,960 |
| Oklahoma | $121,790 |
| Kentucky | $120,580 |
| Missouri | $118,940 |
| Tennessee | $118,020 |
| Ohio | $115,550 |
| Idaho | $109,990 |
| Minnesota | $109,190 |
| Rhode Island | $108,890 |
| Hawaii | $107,690 |
| Pennsylvania | $107,530 |
| Michigan | $105,750 |
| South Carolina | $100,710 |
| Nebraska | $100,270 |
| Texas | $100,260 |
| Indiana | $97,640 |
| Mississippi | $97,210 |
| Louisiana | $82,930 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Actuarys
Actuary Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$75,240 – $90,970 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$125,770 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$164,860 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $206,430+ |
How to Earn More as an Actuary
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Actuarys in Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV earn $158,760 — $32,990 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($164,860) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Actuary Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Actuarythis career | $125,770 |
| Financial Manager | $161,700 |
| Investment Fund Manager | $161,700 |
| Compensation and Benefits Manager | $140,360 |
| Management Analyst | $101,190 |
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SOC: 15-2011.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.