Actuary Salary
BLS reports this occupation as "Actuaries" (15-2011); every figure on this page is for that BLS occupation.
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.
National Salary Distribution
Top Paying Cities for Actuary
| # | City | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $175,330 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $161,460 |
| 3 | Washington, DC | $144,680 |
| 4 | Raleigh, NC | $142,180 |
| 5 | Miami, FL | $139,810 |
| 6 | Phoenix, AZ | $138,570 |
| 7 | Seattle, WA | $134,720 |
| 8 | Salt Lake City, UT | $132,720 |
| 9 | Richmond, VA | $131,900 |
| 10 | Boston, MA | $129,590 |
Highest After Local Prices
| # | City | Price Level | At National Prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | 115.6 | $151,652 |
| 2 | Raleigh, NC | 98.2 | $144,850 |
| 3 | New York, NY | 112.6 | $143,440 |
| 4 | Richmond, VA | 97.9 | $134,787 |
| 5 | Phoenix, AZ | 103.3 | $134,122 |
| 6 | Washington, DC | 108.9 | $132,875 |
| 7 | Charlotte, NC | 97.3 | $132,237 |
| 8 | Salt Lake City, UT | 100.9 | $131,578 |
| 9 | Austin, TX | 98.1 | $124,967 |
| 10 | Pittsburgh, PA | 94.7 | $124,220 |
Actuary Salary — All Cities
| City | P25 | Median | P75 | P90 | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $122,420 | $175,330 | $214,260 | $232,220 | 220 |
| New York, NY | $115,310 | $161,460 | $211,330 | $276,250 | 2,780 |
| Washington, DC | $112,180 | $144,680 | $171,390 | $207,480 | 520 |
| Raleigh, NC | $84,060 | $142,180 | $162,980 | $193,830 | 120 |
| Miami, FL | $104,650 | $139,810 | $170,520 | $209,680 | 310 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $116,660 | $138,570 | $170,980 | $202,130 | 170 |
| Seattle, WA | $104,140 | $134,720 | $176,710 | $209,940 | 230 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $112,090 | $132,720 | $132,720 | $171,270 | 150 |
| Richmond, VA | $100,390 | $131,900 | $164,780 | $212,740 | 120 |
| Boston, MA | $99,980 | $129,590 | $167,350 | $179,750 | — |
| Portland, OR | $101,700 | $129,100 | $168,470 | $178,210 | 130 |
| Charlotte, NC | $99,240 | $128,730 | $159,330 | $212,650 | 280 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $103,040 | $127,970 | $188,390 | $213,010 | 380 |
| Dallas, TX | $89,720 | $127,690 | $158,890 | $192,590 | 510 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $94,490 | $125,960 | $165,270 | $218,100 | 1,020 |
| Austin, TX | $86,430 | $122,550 | $179,570 | $192,080 | 150 |
| Denver, CO | $96,940 | $120,440 | $162,220 | $183,540 | 400 |
| Nashville, TN | $78,400 | $119,090 | $162,370 | $440,260 | 110 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $88,770 | $117,600 | $145,910 | $179,920 | 170 |
| Chicago, IL | $95,970 | $113,730 | $163,690 | $209,260 | 1,560 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $80,260 | $109,760 | $133,090 | $156,880 | 50 |
| San Diego, CA | $93,090 | $107,890 | $176,650 | $210,000 | 60 |
| Columbus, OH | $84,710 | $106,540 | $139,820 | $168,520 | 300 |
| Detroit, MI | $82,010 | $105,640 | $135,150 | $170,540 | 240 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $81,450 | $101,040 | $131,110 | $139,680 | 490 |
| Houston, TX | $58,620 | $81,670 | $131,510 | $183,170 | 390 |
5About the Actuary Role
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.
Compensation for Actuarys varies by metro — from $81,670 at the low end in Houston, TX to $175,330 in San Francisco, CA. The $93,660 gap is a gap in dollars. The second table above lists the 10 highest medians after each is restated at national-average prices using BEA regional price parities, which can change the order.
For side-by-side comparisons between specific metros, use the compare links above or the salary calculator. For state-level figures, see actuary salary by state, or browse all occupations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Actuary salary in the US?
The national median Actuary salary is $130,000 per year, per the BLS OEWS May 2025 national estimate. The 25th percentile is $97,680 and the 90th percentile reaches $215,100.
Which city pays Actuarys the most?
Among the 26 metro areas covered here, San Francisco, CA has the highest median wage for Actuarys at $175,330 per year (BLS OEWS May 2025). New York, NY ($161,460) and Washington, DC ($144,680) are next.