What does an Actuary do?

Actuaries analyze financial risks using math and statistics, often in insurance or pensions. They assess data to help businesses manage uncertainties and predict future risks, ensuring financial stability.

Actuary: Main duties

Actuarys in the Insurance field handle essential tasks and contribute significantly to achieving team and organizational goals. Here are some of their primary responsibilities:

Data Analysis & Risk Assessment

  • Analyzes statistical data to assess financial risk
  • Uses predictive models to forecast potential outcomes

Policy Development

  • Designs insurance policies and pension plans
  • Evaluates policy performance and suggests adjustments

Consultation & Reporting

  • Provides insights to stakeholders on financial risk
  • Prepares reports on findings and recommendations

Actuary: Key Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics, Actuarial Science, or related field
  • Completion of actuarial exams (at least 2-3)
  • Strong analytical and statistical skills

Basic Skills and Requirements for Actuarys

  • Analyzing statistical data, such as medical information related to a specific age group
  • Utilizing computer modeling of statistics to assess potential risks and explore methods for risk reduction
  • Providing advice based on calculations in a manner understandable to non-experts
  • Preparing presentations and reports
  • Monitoring and enhancing processes and IT systems to ensure efficiency and compliance with financial regulations
  • Establishing and nurturing professional relationships with clients
  • Effectively communicating findings to clients, colleagues, managers, and stakeholders

Salary Expectations for Actuarys


Job Branch Avg. US Salary
Actuary Insurance 110,700 USD

The average salary for an Actuary in the U.S. is approximately $110,700 per year and can vary from entry-level to senior positions. Actuarys may receive a wide range of benefits.

Level Experience Avg. Salary per Year
Veteran20+ years$138,375
Senior11+ years$121,770
Experienced6-10 years$110,700
Mid Level3-5 years$99,630
Entry Level0-2 years$83,025

To explore more detailed salary information, including specific salary estimates in your country, visit the Actuary Salary Country Overview.

Career Path for Actuarys

Actuaries typically begin their careers as trainees or junior actuaries in insurance companies, consulting firms, government, or other industries that require risk assessment. They must pass a series of professional exams to become certified professionals, which is a significant part of their career development and can take several years to complete.

As they gain experience and pass more exams, they can move up to senior actuarial positions, managing larger projects or teams. Career advancement often involves becoming an Associate or Fellow in professional actuarial societies, such as the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) in the United States. Experienced actuaries may take on more strategic roles such as Chief Risk Officer, Actuarial Director, or even Chief Financial Officer, depending on their experience and interest in business management.

Actuaries with a strong background in data analytics and software development may also move into emerging fields like predictive analytics or big data, which are increasingly important in industries such as healthcare, finance, and technology.

Actuary: Work Environment

Actuaries typically work in office settings, often employed by insurance companies, consulting firms, government agencies, hospitals, banks, and investment firms. Their work involves compiling and analyzing statistical data and using mathematical models to calculate probabilities and assess financial risks.

The nature of the work is intellectually demanding and requires a high degree of precision and expertise in mathematics, statistics, and financial theory. Actuaries often work full-time with additional hours required at certain times, such as when preparing reports for year-end analysis or when meeting regulatory deadlines.

While the job is mostly desk-bound and involves a lot of computer-based analysis, it may also offer opportunities for travel, especially for those who work for consulting firms. The field also increasingly supports remote work arrangements, offering flexibility in work location and hours.

Cityjobs.info provides not only a detailed Actuary job description but also insights about salary data in different countries worldwide.


Explore more Careers & Salary Insights

Actuary

Discover the actuary's realm: precision meets prediction. Explore skills and qualification...

Job Description Salary Info

Claims Adjuster

Discover how Claims Adjusters navigate complex insurance claims to ensure accurate evaluat...

Job Description Salary Info

Insurance Adjuster

Explore a career as an Insurance Adjuster, specializing in assessing claims and negotiatin...

Job Description Salary Info

Insurance Claims Examiner

Ensure accurate and fair claims processing as an Insurance Claims Examiner, where expertis...

Job Description Salary Info

Explore Our Latest Blog Posts on Career Development and Personal Growth

Stay up to date with insightful articles on career advancement, personal growth strategies, and the latest trends in the job market. From expert tips on navigating your career path to practical advice on improving your work-life balance, cityjobs blog offers valuable resources to help you succeed both professionally and personally.

How can I stand out in modern Job Interviews?
  • Career

How can I stand out in modern Job Interviews?

Discover how to stand out in today’s job interviews with five key strategies focused on skills, real-world examples, and aligning with company values.

Remote Work in Portugal: What you need to know
  • Career

Remote Work in Portugal: What you need to know

Discover why Portugal is the ultimate destination for remote workers. Learn about tax benefits, visa requirements, top destinations, and more. Portugal is definitely a place to work at.