Actuary
Also known as: Risk Analyst, Insurance Mathematician
Use mathematics and statistics to assess financial risk for insurance companies and investment firms.
Salary Range
The highest-paid specialization or seniority level for actuarys.
About 1 in 200 reaches this level
About 33,600 actuaries in the US (BLS 15-2011, May 2024). Chief Actuarial Officer roles at $425K+ exist at roughly 100-200 major insurers (~0.5%).
Salary data based on 2025 BLS, Glassdoor, and industry reports. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.
How to Become One
This career typically requires a bachelor's degree. Here are the top colleges for it:
AI Risk Assessment
The core technical work — statistical modeling, probability estimation, reserving calculations, Monte Carlo simulations — is exactly what AI excels at. One actuary with AI tools can now do the modeling work of two or three. BLS projects 22% growth and the 7-10 exam system creates a protective moat, but the exam barrier slows displacement without preventing it. Entry-level hiring is compressing even as demand for actuarial insight grows.
Sources
Ratings reflect a 10-year outlook based on 2025-2026 research, weighted toward entry-level impact. Individual outcomes will vary.
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