How Much Does an Actuary Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$130,000
Actuaries in the U.S. earn a median of $130,000 a year, or $62.50 an hour. Half of actuaries earn more than $130,000 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $215,100.
Pay percentiles for actuaries
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $37.77 | $78,570 |
| 25th | $46.96 | $97,680 |
| 50th (median) | $62.50 | $130,000 |
| 75th | $82.04 | $170,650 |
| 90th | $103.41 | $215,100 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Actuaries (SOC 15-2011). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for actuaries
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $166,800 | $80.19 | +28% |
| District of Columbia | $166,230 | $79.92 | +28% |
| New York | $156,480 | $75.23 | +20% |
| New Jersey | $142,800 | $68.65 | +10% |
| Alabama | $136,950 | $65.84 | +5% |
| Arizona | $135,870 | $65.32 | +5% |
| Washington | $134,720 | $64.77 | +4% |
| Utah | $132,720 | $63.81 | +2% |
| Nevada | $132,370 | $63.64 | +2% |
| Florida | $132,110 | $63.51 | +2% |
| United States | $130,000 | $62.50 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many actuaries are there?
BLS counts about 26,670 actuaries employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). The most jobs are in New York (2,630), Illinois (2,280) and Texas (1,750).
The mean (average) annual wage is $141,480, higher than the median of $130,000.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $10,833
- Biweekly
- $5,000
- Weekly
- $2,500
- Daily (8 hours)
- $500
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do actuaries make an hour?
The median hourly wage for actuaries is $62.50. The middle 50% earn between $46.96 and $82.04 an hour.
Which state pays actuaries the most?
Connecticut has the highest median wage for actuaries at $166,800, +28% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for actuaries?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of actuaries earn less than $78,570 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.