Pay, demand and where to work, from BLS data with the year on every table.
low → high: location quotient
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By AtiveSite · Published 07/11/2026 · Updated 07/11/2026 · Every figure is linked to its source below.
Actuaries (SOC 15-2011) employed 26,670 people in May 2025. The median pay is $130,000 a year ($62.50 an hour); the lowest-paid 10% earn under $78,570 and the highest-paid 10% more than $215,100. BLS projects its employment to change by +9.2% between 2025 and 2035 (about 1,500 openings a year including replacements). The typical way in: Bachelor's degree.
Highest median pay: Connecticut ($166,800), District of Columbia ($166,230), New York ($156,480). Most jobs: New York (2,630), Illinois (2,280), Texas (1,750).
| Measure ⇅ | Annual ⇅ | Hourly equivalent ⇅ |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $78,570 | $37.77 |
| 25th percentile | $97,680 | $46.96 |
| Median | $130,000 | $62.50 |
| Mean | $141,480 | $68.02 |
| 75th percentile | $170,650 | $82.04 |
| 90th percentile (experienced) | $215,100 | $103.41 |
Estimate for a wage earner: 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction (IRS), Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% (+0.9% above $200,000 single / $250,000 married), and a state rate you set. It ignores credits, pre-tax deductions, local taxes and benefits. Sources: IRS: tax year 2026 inflation adjustments · SSA wage base per Federal Register notice 2025-19763.
Hourly equivalents divide by 2,080 hours. Pay above $239,200 is shown as "≥ $239,200" (BLS top code).
| Measure ⇅ | Value ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Jobs 2025 | 31,200 |
| Jobs 2035 (projected) | 34,100 |
| Change in jobs | 2,900 |
| Percent change | +9.2% |
| Openings a year (growth + replacements) | 1,500 |
| Self-employed share | n/a |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | Long-term on-the-job training |
Licences and certifications are set by states and employers; the education shown is the usual entry requirement, not a legal one.
| State ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ | Yearly rent as % of median pay ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 190 | 0.51 | $136,950 | $71,240 | $160,740 | +5% | 9% |
| Arizona | 200 | 0.35 | $135,870 | $85,750 | $202,130 | +5% | 15% |
| California | 1,280 | 0.41 | $130,510 | $83,510 | $219,490 | +0% | 19% |
| Colorado | 500 | 1.01 | $120,440 | $78,610 | $183,540 | -7% | 18% |
| Connecticut | 1,380 | 4.76 | $166,800 | $99,430 | $228,810 | +28% | 11% |
| District of Columbia | 160 | 1.29 | $166,230 | $116,690 | $207,450 | +28% | 14% |
| Florida | 1,300 | 0.76 | $132,110 | $80,450 | $206,700 | +2% | 16% |
| Georgia | 1,470 | 1.76 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Hawaii | 30 | 0.30 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Illinois | 2,280 | 2.18 | $115,430 | $77,790 | $202,160 | -11% | 14% |
| Indiana | 780 | 1.42 | $100,690 | $65,690 | $142,220 | -23% | 13% |
| Iowa | 530 | 1.97 | $128,690 | $81,610 | $173,480 | -1% | 9% |
| Kansas | 180 | 0.72 | $125,010 | $75,260 | $207,040 | -4% | 10% |
| Kentucky | 70 | 0.21 | $120,400 | $87,260 | $215,580 | -7% | 10% |
| Louisiana | 40 | 0.11 | $80,860 | $69,790 | $206,870 | -38% | 16% |
| Maine | 80 | 0.72 | $119,620 | $85,200 | $166,220 | -8% | 12% |
| Maryland | 580 | 1.22 | $126,950 | $76,670 | $185,220 | -2% | 16% |
| Michigan | 570 | 0.75 | $100,640 | $65,240 | $170,450 | -23% | 14% |
| Minnesota | 1,170 | 2.32 | $128,100 | $79,920 | $223,300 | -1% | 12% |
| Mississippi | 40 | 0.21 | $106,210 | $63,480 | $256,130 | -18% | 11% |
| Missouri | 390 | 0.78 | $129,220 | $77,780 | $207,080 | -1% | 10% |
| Nebraska | 270 | 1.51 | $102,790 | $61,190 | $161,870 | -21% | 13% |
| Nevada | 120 | 0.45 | $132,370 | $77,090 | $207,580 | +2% | 15% |
| New Jersey | 1,260 | 1.72 | $142,800 | $86,090 | $224,700 | +10% | 15% |
| New York | 2,630 | 1.58 | $156,480 | $82,250 | $277,800 | +20% | 13% |
| North Carolina | 610 | 0.72 | $128,730 | $72,420 | $193,830 | -1% | 12% |
| Ohio | 1,090 | 1.14 | $110,980 | $77,110 | $175,190 | -15% | 12% |
| Oklahoma | 70 | 0.24 | $109,760 | $78,310 | $161,910 | -16% | 11% |
| Oregon | 210 | 0.63 | $130,380 | $81,780 | $203,790 | +0% | 15% |
| Pennsylvania | 1,710 | 1.64 | $125,040 | $78,050 | $201,820 | -4% | 12% |
| Rhode Island | 100 | 1.21 | $111,090 | $76,120 | $182,530 | -15% | 15% |
| South Carolina | 140 | 0.36 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Tennessee | 300 | 0.53 | $108,930 | $74,350 | $248,240 | -16% | 14% |
| Texas | 1,750 | 0.72 | $105,020 | $62,870 | $189,320 | -19% | 17% |
| Utah | 180 | 0.60 | $132,720 | $84,010 | $171,270 | +2% | 14% |
| Virginia | 440 | 0.62 | $131,900 | $82,120 | $212,740 | +1% | 15% |
| Washington | 360 | 0.59 | $134,720 | $71,140 | $209,940 | +4% | 16% |
| Wisconsin | 890 | 1.76 | $131,640 | $76,890 | $204,790 | +1% | 10% |
Location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in the state than in the nation. "n/a" means BLS suppressed the figure. Rent uses the state median gross rent (ACS).
The 60 highest-paying metropolitan areas among those with at least 300 jobs in this occupation.
| Metropolitan area ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | 960 | $166,800 | $101,180 | $228,810 | 9.29 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 2,780 | $161,460 | $90,590 | $276,250 | 1.71 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 520 | $144,680 | $87,670 | $207,480 | 0.97 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 310 | $139,810 | $85,090 | $209,680 | 0.63 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | 310 | $132,010 | $81,760 | $204,790 | 2.19 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | 400 | $130,540 | $81,980 | $173,480 | 5.79 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 380 | $127,970 | $83,820 | $213,010 | 0.35 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 780 | $127,770 | $82,750 | $218,360 | 1.57 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 510 | $127,690 | $76,420 | $192,590 | 0.73 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | 340 | $126,950 | $76,670 | $185,220 | 1.44 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 1,020 | $125,960 | $79,350 | $218,100 | 3.05 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | 400 | $120,440 | $78,610 | $183,540 | 1.46 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 1,560 | $113,730 | $79,640 | $209,260 | 2.01 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | 340 | $108,770 | $81,120 | $175,190 | 1.81 |
| Columbus, OH | 300 | $106,540 | $64,030 | $168,520 | 1.58 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | 350 | $106,490 | $66,190 | $173,490 | 1.41 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | 490 | $101,040 | $67,490 | $139,680 | 2.57 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 390 | $81,670 | $58,620 | $183,170 | 0.68 |
The median is $130,000 a year ($62.50 an hour); the lowest-paid tenth earn under $78,570 and the highest-paid tenth over $215,100 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
26,670 in May 2025, and BLS projects +9.2% growth to 2035.
The typical entry education is: Bachelor's degree (BLS).
Connecticut, with a median of $166,800 (among states with published figures).