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Actuarial Operations Director Salary in the United States

How much does an Actuarial Operations Director make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Actuarial Operations Director in the United States is $238,790 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $115.

However, an Actuarial Operations Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $277,706
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $231,930 to $259,160
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $225,684
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Actuarial Operations Director Salaries

An Actuarial Operations Director's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Actuarial Operations Director Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Actuarial Operations Director's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Chief Consulting Actuary (10-12 years): $182,435
  • Actuarial Operations Manager (12+ years): $172,166
  • Actuarial Operations Senior Manager (12+ years): $226,326
  • Actuarial Operations Director (12+ years): $238,785
  • VP of Actuarial Operations (12+ years): $399,358
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Chief Consulting Actuary10-12 years$182,435
Actuarial Operations Manager12+ years$172,166
Actuarial Operations Senior Manager12+ years$226,326
Actuarial Operations Director12+ years$238,785
VP of Actuarial Operations12+ years$399,358
View as Graph

How Do Actuarial Operations Director Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Actuarial Operations Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $264,390.
  • California: $263,380.
  • Massachusetts: $259,870.

Top Paying Cities for Actuarial Operations Directors

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $301,180
  • San Francisco: $297,890
  • Oakland: $291,610

What Skills Can Increase an Actuarial Operations Director's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Consulting (Mentioned in 4.43% Job Postings): Providing technical or business expertise and advice to internal or external clients.
  • Financial Risk (Mentioned in 3.16% Job Postings): Financial risk is any of various types of risk associated with financing, including financial transactions that include company loans in risk of default. Often it is understood to include only downside risk, meaning the potential for financial loss and uncertainty about its extent. A science has evolved around managing market and financial risk under the general title of modern portfolio theory initiated by Dr. Harry Markowitz in 1952 with his article, "Portfolio Selection". In modern portfolio theory, the variance (or standard deviation) of a portfolio is used as the definition of risk.
  • Balance Sheet (Mentioned in 1.27% Job Postings): Balance Sheet is a summary of the financial balances of an individual or organization, whether it be a sole proprietorship, business partnership, corporation, private limited company or other organization such as government or not-for-profit entity.
Skills Demand Percentage
Consulting 4.43%
Financial Risk 3.16%
Balance Sheet 1.27%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an Actuarial Operations Director's salary.

  • Building Regulations: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Persuasion: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Billing: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Building Regulations $265,057
11%
Persuasion $262,669
10%
Billing $262,669
10%
Get Latest Data

Actuarial Operations Director Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Actuarial Operations Director salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $266,858. While startup companies pay approximate $225,734.

Actuarial Operations Director Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $225,734
Growth Stage 51~500 $238,737
Established 501~5000 $257,685
Enterprise 5000+ $266,858

Actuarial Operations Director Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Actuarial Operations Director roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Actuarial Operations Director positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Actuarial Operations Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Actuarial Operations Director

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$310,427$149.030%
Financial Services$298,488$144.025%
Internet$286,548$138.020%
Energy & Utilities$274,608$132.015%
Aerospace & Defense$262,669$126.010%

How Education impacts an Actuarial Operations Director's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Actuarial Operations Directors enter the field with a No Diploma degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Actuarial Operations Director with a No Diploma is between $257,643 and $278,336).

Actuarial Operations Director Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Actuarial Operations Director
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 100.0%
High School 0.0%
Associates 0.0%
Bachelors 100.0%
Masters 0.0%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

Actuarial Operations Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Actuarial Operations Director's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$231,930
Average $238,790/year
$259,160
$19,328
Average $19,899/month
$21,597
$4,460
Average $4,592/week
$4,984
$112
Average $115/hour
$125
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $259,160 $21,597 $4,984 $125
Average $238,790 $19,899 $4,592 $115
25th Percentile $231,930 $19,328 $4,460 $112

Actuarial Operations Director Salary Growth & Career Path

Actuarial Operations Director

Next Role

For an Actuarial Operations Director, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the VP of Actuarial Operations role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $399,390 - a projected growth of 67% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Actuarial Operations Director

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Actuarial Operations Director

Here are companies hiring for Actuarial Operations Director and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Actuarial Operations Director

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Actuarial Operations Director?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Actuarial Operations Director roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

2. Who makes more money accountants or actuaries?

Actuaries typically earn higher salaries compared to accountants. For instance, an Actuarial Operations Director has a salary range from $249,720 to $321,460, with a midpoint of $285,730. While senior accounting positions like CFO can reach similar levels, actuaries generally have a higher earning potential as they advance in their careers.

3. What is the highest paid type of actuary?

The highest paid type of actuary is the Actuarial Operations Director, with a salary range of $249,720 to $321,460 per year. This position typically commands a mid-salary of $285,730, reflecting the significant expertise and responsibility involved in overseeing actuarial operations. Other high-paying roles include Pricing Actuary and Actuarial Manager, but they generally offer lower salaries.

4. Is Director of Operations higher than COO?

Within a corporate hierarchy, the Director of Operations reports to the Chief Operations Officer (COO). The role typically requires around nine years of experience. In terms of compensation, the salary for an Actuarial Operations Director ranges from $249,720 to $321,460, with a midpoint of $285,730, reflecting the seniority and responsibilities of the position.

5. What is the highest salary of director of operations?

The salary for an Actuarial Operations Director ranges from $249,720 to $321,460 annually, with a mid-salary of $285,730. This data reflects the compensation for this role, highlighting the potential earnings for professionals in this field.

6. Is actuary a stressful job?

Actuaries typically find their work rewarding, with competitive salaries ranging from $249,720 to $321,460. While the job can have its challenges, the overall stress level is manageable. Many actuaries appreciate the positive aspects of their profession, contributing to a high retention rate in the field.

7. Can an actuary make 500k?

While it's uncommon for actuaries to earn $500,000, those in senior roles, like an Actuarial Operations Director, can earn between $249,720 and $321,460. With extensive experience and expertise, some may exceed this range, but reaching $500,000 typically requires exceptional circumstances or leadership positions in large firms.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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