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Actuary III Salary in the United States

How much does an Actuary III make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for an Actuary III in the United States is $107,943 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $52.

However, an Actuary III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $126,933
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $99,587 to $117,883
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $91,979
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Actuary III Salaries

An Actuary III'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 Actuary III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Actuary III'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:

  • Actuary I (0-2 years): $80,842
  • Actuary II (2-4 years): $93,186
  • Actuary III (4-7 years): $107,943
  • Actuary IV (7+ years): $140,854
  • Actuary V (7-10 years): $164,975
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Actuary I0-2 years$80,842
Actuary II2-4 years$93,186
Actuary III4-7 years$107,943
Actuary IV7+ years$140,854
Actuary V7-10 years$164,975
View as Graph

How Do Actuary III 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 Actuary IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $119,514.
  • California: $119,061.
  • Massachusetts: $117,474.

Top Paying Cities for Actuary IIIs

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: $136,149
  • San Francisco: $134,658
  • Oakland: $131,820

What Skills Can Increase an Actuary III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 9.3% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • SQL (Mentioned in 2.26% Job Postings): Structured Query Language) is a domain-specific language used in programming and designed for managing data held in a relational database management system (RDBMS), or for stream processing in a relational data stream management system (RDSMS).
  • Collective Bargaining (Mentioned in 1.24% Job Postings): Collective bargaining is a process of negotiation between employers and a group of employees aimed at agreements to regulate working salaries, working conditions, benefits, and other aspects of workers' compensation and rights for workers. The interests of the employees are commonly presented by representatives of a trade union to which the employees belong. The collective agreements reached by these negotiations usually set out wage scales, working hours, training, health and safety, overtime, grievance mechanisms, and rights to participate in workplace or company affairs. The union may negotiate with a single employer (who is typically representing a company's shareholders) or may negotiate with a group of businesses, depending on the country, to reach an industry-wide agreement. A collective agreement functions as a labour contract between an employer and one or more unions. Collective bargaining consists of the process of negotiation between representatives of a union and employers (generally represented by management, or, in some countries such as Austria, Sweden and the Netherlands, by an employers' organization) in respect of the terms and conditions of employment of employees, such as wages, hours of work, working conditions, grievance procedures, and about the rights and responsibilities of trade unions. The parties often refer to the result of the negotiation as a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) or as a collective employment agreement (CEA).
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 9.3%
SQL 2.26%
Collective Bargaining 1.24%
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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 Actuary III's salary.

  • ISO: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Coaching: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Teamwork: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
ISO $117,658
9%
Coaching $116,578
8%
Teamwork $113,340
5%
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Actuary III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Actuary III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $120,507. While startup companies pay approximate $102,039.

Actuary III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $102,039
Growth Stage 51~500 $107,893
Established 501~5000 $116,359
Enterprise 5000+ $120,507

Actuary III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Actuary III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 10% above the average. In contrast, Actuary positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Actuary III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for an Actuary III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$118,737$57.010%

How Education impacts an Actuary III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Actuary III enter the field with a Bachelor's 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 Actuary III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $109,728 and $116,051.

Actuary III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Actuary III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 2.7%
High School 1.4%
Associates 1.4%
Bachelors 60.3%
Masters 34.2%
Doctorate 1.4%
View as Graph

Actuary III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Actuary III'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 October 01, 2026
$99,587
Average $107,943/year
$117,883
$8,299
Average $8,995/month
$9,824
$1,915
Average $2,076/week
$2,267
$48
Average $52/hour
$57
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $117,883 $9,824 $2,267 $57
Average $107,943 $8,995 $2,076 $52
25th Percentile $99,587 $8,299 $1,915 $48

Actuary III Salary Growth & Career Path

Actuary III

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Advancement

For an Actuary III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Actuary IV role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $140,854 - a projected growth of 30% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Actuary III

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

Common company salaries for Actuary III

Here are companies hiring for Actuary III and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Actuary III

1. Where can an Actuary III earn the most?

An Actuary III's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, an Actuary III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of an Actuary III is $136,149.

2. What is the highest pay for Actuary III?

The highest pay for Actuary III is $126,933.

3. What is the lowest pay for Actuary III?

The lowest pay for Actuary III is $91,979.

4. What are the responsibilities of Actuary III?

Analyzes statistical data and applies mathematical models to assess risk, price insurance products, and support the financial soundness of the organization. Develops and maintains actuarial models to estimate reserves, premiums, and liabilities across lines of business. Evaluates the probability and financial impact of future events such as claims, mortality, morbidity, and policyholder behavior. Prepares actuarial reports, rate filings, and reserve analyses to support pricing, regulatory, and financial reporting requirements. Collaborates with underwriting, finance, and product teams to inform strategy and ensure adequate risk management. Monitors emerging trends, legislation, and industry developments that affect actuarial assumptions and outcomes. Requires a bachelor's degree. Requires Associate of Society of Actuaries (ASA). Typically reports to a manager. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4-7 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Actuary III?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Actuary III roles, with salaries approximately 10% above the market median.

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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