BLS SOC 15-2011 · Finance
Actuary Salary
Actuaries analyze the financial costs of risk and uncertainty using mathematics, statistics, and financial theory. They are essential in insurance, pension, and risk management industries.
Data: BLS OEWS · 2026
National Median
$112,200
annual
25th Percentile
$86,394
annual
75th Percentile
$143,616
annual
90th Percentile
$179,520
annual
National Salary Distribution
P25: $86,394Median: $112,200P75: $143,616P90: $179,520
1
Top Paying Cities for Actuary
Ranked by median annual salary
| # | City | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $154,000 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $150,000 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $148,000 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $136,000 |
| 5 | Washington, DC | $134,000 |
| 6 | Los Angeles, CA | $132,000 |
| 7 | San Diego, CA | $128,000 |
| 8 | Austin, TX | $123,000 |
| 9 | Portland, OR | $123,000 |
| 10 | Denver, CO | $119,000 |
2
Best After Cost of Living
Salary adjusted for cost of living (US avg = $100k)
| # | City | COL-Adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbus, OH | $108,791 |
| 2 | Pittsburgh, PA | $107,778 |
| 3 | Raleigh, NC | $106,796 |
| 4 | Detroit, MI | $106,742 |
| 5 | Chicago, IL | $105,607 |
| 6 | Houston, TX | $105,607 |
| 7 | Indianapolis, IN | $105,556 |
| 8 | Phoenix, AZ | $103,883 |
| 9 | Dallas, TX | $103,571 |
| 10 | Atlanta, GA | $101,852 |
3
Actuary Salary — All Cities
All 30 metro areas, sorted by median salary
| City | P25 | Median | P75 | P90 | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $118,580 | $154,000 | $197,120 | $246,400 | 41,600 |
| Seattle, WA | $115,500 | $150,000 | $192,000 | $240,000 | 46,400 |
| New York, NY | $113,960 | $148,000 | $189,440 | $236,800 | 54,400 |
| Boston, MA | $104,720 | $136,000 | $174,080 | $217,600 | 33,600 |
| Washington, DC | $103,180 | $134,000 | $171,520 | $214,400 | 36,000 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $101,640 | $132,000 | $168,960 | $211,200 | 38,400 |
| San Diego, CA | $98,560 | $128,000 | $163,840 | $204,800 | 19,200 |
| Austin, TX | $94,710 | $123,000 | $157,440 | $196,800 | 30,400 |
| Portland, OR | $94,710 | $123,000 | $157,440 | $196,800 | 16,000 |
| Denver, CO | $91,630 | $119,000 | $152,320 | $190,400 | 22,400 |
| Dallas, TX | $89,320 | $116,000 | $148,480 | $185,600 | 28,000 |
| Chicago, IL | $87,010 | $113,000 | $144,640 | $180,800 | 28,000 |
| Houston, TX | $87,010 | $113,000 | $144,640 | $180,800 | 22,400 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $85,470 | $111,000 | $142,080 | $177,600 | 17,600 |
| Atlanta, GA | $84,700 | $110,000 | $140,800 | $176,000 | 24,000 |
| Raleigh, NC | $84,700 | $110,000 | $140,800 | $176,000 | 17,600 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $82,390 | $107,000 | $136,960 | $171,200 | 20,000 |
| Miami, FL | $81,620 | $106,000 | $135,680 | $169,600 | 17,600 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $81,620 | $106,000 | $135,680 | $169,600 | 14,400 |
| Nashville, TN | $80,080 | $104,000 | $133,120 | $166,400 | 14,400 |
| Charlotte, NC | $77,770 | $101,000 | $129,280 | $161,600 | 16,000 |
| Richmond, VA | $77,770 | $101,000 | $129,280 | $161,600 | 11,200 |
| Columbus, OH | $76,230 | $99,000 | $126,720 | $158,400 | 12,800 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $74,690 | $97,000 | $124,160 | $155,200 | 11,200 |
| Detroit, MI | $73,150 | $95,000 | $121,600 | $152,000 | 12,000 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $73,150 | $95,000 | $121,600 | $152,000 | 12,000 |
| Louisville, KY | $67,760 | $88,000 | $112,640 | $140,800 | 8,000 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $66,220 | $86,000 | $110,080 | $137,600 | 7,200 |
| Memphis, TN | $64,680 | $84,000 | $107,520 | $134,400 | 6,400 |
| El Paso, TX | $59,290 | $77,000 | $98,560 | $123,200 | 4,800 |
Top Skills for Actuary
Actuarial ScienceStatistical ModelingRisk AssessmentR/PythonInsurance Products