Actuaries
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Actuaries in the United States earn a median salary of $130,000 per year — about $63 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Roughly 34K people work in this occupation nationwide, with projected employment growth of +22%.
AI & Automation Risk
Actuarial work is fundamentally digital, involving the analysis of large datasets, statistical modeling, and financial forecasting—all areas where AI and machine learning excel. While the profession requires high-level human judgment and the ability to explain complex risks to stakeholders, the core technical tasks of data compilation and probability estimation are highly susceptible to automation and significant productivity gains through AI.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT Metropolitan Statistical AreaBEST VALUE | $194,130 | Above avg (106.9) | $181,661 |
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | $163,350 | Average (100.2) | $163,000 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $166,800 | Average (102.7) | $162,342 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $175,330 | Above avg (115.6) | $151,652 |
| Birmingham, AL | $132,840 | Below avg (91.6) | $144,952 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $142,180 | Average (98.2) | $144,850 |
| Waterbury-Shelton, CT | $143,430 | Average (99.8) | $143,749 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $161,460 | Above avg (112.6) | $143,440 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $130,540 | Below avg (91.7) | $142,354 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $131,680 | Below avg (92.5) | $142,291 |
| Columbia, SC | $133,060 | Below avg (93.7) | $142,064 |
| Madison, WI | $135,330 | Average (97.3) | $139,104 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $128,290 | Below avg (92.6) | $138,584 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $132,010 | Below avg (96.9) | $136,181 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $129,360 | Below avg (95.1) | $136,042 |