How long does it take to become an actuary?

Typically about four years for the degree, then more than a year of training on the job. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.

How much do actuaries make?

The US median is $130,000 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.

Do you need a degree to become an actuary?

Yes — a degree is the usual way in.

Where can you train to become an actuary?

455 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

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How to become an actuary

Computers & IT · SOC 15-2011

$130,000US median pay, 2025

+9.2%Projected growth, 2025–35

1,500Openings per year

DegreeUsual way in

How you get in

A degree is the usual way in.

Bachelor's degree
Long-term on-the-job training
Work as an actuary

Programs that lead to this job

These are the federal program codes (CIP) that the Department of Education maps to this occupation, and how many US colleges, community colleges or trade schools report awarding credentials in each.

Program	Code	Schools
Applied Mathematics, General	CIP 27.0301	216
Statistics, General	CIP 27.0501	194
Actuarial Science	CIP 52.1304	119
Mathematics and Statistics	CIP 27.0503	42
Computational and Applied Mathematics	CIP 27.0304	38
Statistics, Other	CIP 27.0599	31
Applied Statistics, General	CIP 27.0601	28
Mathematical Statistics and Probability	CIP 27.0502	17
Risk Management	CIP 52.0215	10

See the 455 schools that offer these programs →

Common questions

How long does it take to become an actuary?: Typically about four years for the degree, then more than a year of training on the job. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.
How much do actuaries make?: The US median is $130,000 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.
Do you need a degree to become an actuary?: Yes — a degree is the usual way in.
Where can you train to become an actuary?: 455 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

Pay and growth are national figures. What you earn depends on where you work, your employer and your experience, and these are projections rather than promises. Education requirements describe how most people enter the job, not a rule — plenty of people take another route.

Pay, growth, openings and entry requirements: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35. Program-to-occupation mapping: NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk (2020/2018). School counts: IPEDS completions, 2022–23.

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