Use math and statistics to measure financial risk, pricing insurance and pensions so they stay sound.
You may also see this posted as: Actuarial Analyst, Consulting Actuary, Pricing Actuary, Actuarial Associate, Actuarial Consultant, Corporate Actuary.
Offices or remote; at a desk, deep in data and models.
Usually full-time; regular hours with study time for exams.
Conventional
organizing information, following systems, and getting details right
Investigative
solving problems, analyzing evidence, and figuring out how things work
Enterprising
leading, persuading, selling, or turning an idea into action
O*NET job zone 4 of 5
High preparation—usually a four-year degree plus experience—is common.
Examples employers report—not a checklist you must already know.
May 2025 BLS wage & employment data · 2024–34 BLS employment projections.
Openings a year counts new jobs plus the ones that open when people retire or move on — a truer picture of your odds than growth alone.
“Median” means half earn more and half earn less. Your city, employer, and years on the job move it a lot — that is what the 10th-to-90th range shows.
Statewide medians are a better starting point than the national number. Your city and experience still matter.
Bachelor's degree
Training path: Math degree + an exam ladder — employers pay per exam passed.
Related work experience: None.
On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training.
Advancement comes through a series of professional certification exams.
Licensing rules and available programs change by state. These federal tools take you to the current official listings.
Exams instead of grad school: six figures with no debt beyond a bachelor's.
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Standard Occupational Classification 15-2011. Pay and employment from the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey; outlook and openings from the 2024–34 employment projections; job context from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; tasks, interests, work styles, software examples, and job zone from O*NET 30.3. See something off? Tell us.