December 14, 2024

How Many Actuary Jobs Are There?

If you're thinking about becoming an actuary or you're already on the path, you might be wondering:

"How many actuary jobs are there, and is the industry growing?"

The short answer? Yes, it's growing—fast. There are currently around 30,200 actuary jobs in the U.S., and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects the industry will grow by 22% from 2023 to 2033, adding about 2,200 new jobs each year. This is nearly triple the growth rate of the average job market.

If that sounds like job security to you, you’re right. But let’s dig a little deeper into where these jobs are, what’s driving demand, and how you can land one of them.

How Many Actuary Jobs Exist in the U.S.?

As of now, there are around 30,200 actuarial jobs in the United States. These jobs are spread across industries like:

  • Insurance Companies (Life, Health, Property, and Casualty)
  • Consulting Firms (Advising companies on pension plans, benefits, and risks)
  • Government Agencies (Working on Social Security, Medicare, and public welfare programs)
  • Healthcare Companies (Predicting healthcare costs and risks)

The number of jobs has been steadily increasing, thanks to a growing demand for risk analysis in areas like climate change, cybersecurity, and healthcare costs. These emerging risk areas are pushing companies to hire more actuaries than ever before.

Where Are Actuary Jobs Located? (Top States for Actuaries)

Not all states are created equal when it comes to actuarial jobs. Some regions have a higher demand for actuaries, often due to a concentration of insurance companies, consulting firms, or major financial hubs. Here are the top states for actuary jobs:

  • New York: Employs around 2,580 actuaries, thanks to being a financial hub.
  • Pennsylvania: Home to several major insurance companies like Erie Insurance and Lincoln Financial.
  • Illinois: Chicago hosts major consulting firms and insurance companies.
  • Texas: Growth in healthcare and insurance jobs has driven demand for actuaries.
  • California: Tech-driven roles related to insurance and health tech have expanded actuarial jobs here.

If you’re looking to maximize your career opportunities as an actuary, you may want to target jobs in these states.

What’s Driving the Demand for Actuary Jobs?

The number of actuary jobs is on the rise for a few big reasons. Here’s why demand is heating up:

  1. Insurance Industry Growth
    • Insurance companies need actuaries to price premiums, forecast claims, and prepare for disasters (like hurricanes or wildfires).
    • As populations grow, so do the number of insurance policies for life, health, and property.
  2. New Risk Areas (Cybersecurity, Climate Change, etc.)
    • Climate change is causing more extreme weather events, and insurers need actuaries to predict and prepare for these risks.
    • Cybersecurity insurance is exploding as businesses seek protection from data breaches and hacks.
  3. Healthcare and Medical Costs
    • Actuaries help healthcare companies predict future medical costs, which is crucial for setting health insurance rates.
    • The growing complexity of healthcare laws (like the Affordable Care Act) also fuels demand for actuarial expertise.
  4. Pension and Retirement Planning
    • As more people retire, the demand for actuaries who can manage pension plans and retirement funds increases.
    • Companies need actuarial forecasts to ensure their pension plans remain funded.
  5. Technological Advancements
    • Companies are leveraging predictive analytics, machine learning, and AI, which require actuarial insight.
    • Actuaries who master data science tools (like Python and R) have a competitive edge.

How Competitive Are Actuary Jobs?

With only about 30,200 jobs in the U.S., it’s fair to ask:

“Is it hard to get an actuary job?”

The answer depends on where you are in your career. Early on, competition can be stiff because candidates often apply with limited experience. However, once you pass the first few actuarial exams, your resume will stand out.

Here’s what can set you apart:

  • Pass at least 2-3 exams before applying for entry-level jobs.
  • Get experience with internships (this is basically a requirement for many companies).
  • Learn key software like Excel, VBA, Python, and R.
  • Develop strong communication skills since actuaries often need to present their findings to non-technical teams.

If you can check off these boxes, you’ll be ahead of 90% of the competition.

What Is the Job Outlook for Actuaries?

Actuary jobs are growing at 22% from 2023 to 2033. This is much faster than most occupations (which grow at around 7-8% on average). Here’s what you can expect in the coming years:

  • About 2,200 new jobs are expected each year.
  • Much of the demand will come from emerging risks (like climate change) and new fields (like cybersecurity insurance).
  • The rise of AI and automation won’t replace actuaries but will enhance their productivity, making them even more valuable to companies.

In other words, being an actuary is about as future-proof as it gets.

How Much Do Actuaries Get Paid?

If you’re wondering whether it’s all worth it, let’s talk numbers. Actuaries are known for their high salaries, and the more exams you pass, the more you earn. Here’s the breakdown:

  • Entry-level actuary salary: Around $65,000 - $75,000/year (1-2 exams passed)
  • Mid-level actuary salary: $95,000 - $120,000/year (3-5 exams passed)
  • Senior actuary salary: $150,000 - $250,000/year (fully credentialed with years of experience)

For reference, the median salary for actuaries is $108,000/year, but top-tier professionals working in major financial hubs can make over $200,000/year.

How to Break Into an Actuary Role

Here’s a step-by-step guide to land one of the 30,200+ actuary jobs available right now:

  1. Get a Bachelor’s Degree
    • Major in math, actuarial science, statistics, or finance.
  2. Start Taking Actuarial Exams
    • Exams P (Probability) and FM (Financial Mathematics) are the first two steps. Pass these early!
  3. Land an Internship
    • This is a must-have. Companies like Aon, Willis Towers Watson, and insurance firms actively recruit interns.
  4. Polish Your Tech Skills
    • Learn Excel, VBA, and data science languages like R or Python.
  5. Apply for Entry-Level Jobs
    • Look for "Actuarial Analyst" roles on job boards like Acturhire, which specializes in jobs for actuaries.
  6. Pass More Exams (Climb the Ladder)
    • As you pass exams, your salary and job prospects increase.

FAQs

1. How many actuary jobs are there in the U.S.?
There are around 30,200 actuary jobs in the U.S., and this number is growing thanks to increased demand in insurance, healthcare, and emerging risk areas like cybersecurity.

2. Is there a demand for actuaries?
Yes, demand for actuaries is growing at a rate of 22% from 2023 to 2033, much faster than most jobs. New risks like climate change, cybersecurity, and healthcare costs are driving demand.

3. How much do actuaries earn?
The median salary for actuaries is $108,000/year, but senior actuaries with full certifications can earn $150,000 to $250,000/year or more.

4. How hard is it to get an actuary job?
It can be challenging at first, especially before passing exams. But once you pass a few exams, get an internship, and develop technical skills, your chances improve significantly.

Final Thoughts: How Many Actuary Jobs Are Out There?

There are about 30,200 actuary jobs in the U.S., and that number is growing fast. Actuaries are in high demand thanks to a world full of new risks and uncertainties. If you’re interested in this career, focus on passing your exams, landing an internship, and honing your technical skills.

Want to see which actuarial jobs are open right now? Check out Acturhire and start your actuarial career today!