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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Actuary IV in the United States is $140,844 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $68.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $158,009
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $128,846 to $149,829
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $117,922

Key Factors That Influence Actuary IV Salaries

An Actuary IV'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 IV Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Actuary IV'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 II (2-4 years): $90,099
  • Actuary III (4-7 years): $105,812
  • Actuary IV (7+ years): $140,844
  • Actuary V (7-10 years): $164,970
  • Actuarial Fellow (10-12 years): $182,435
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Actuary II2-4 years$90,099
Actuary III4-7 years$105,812
Actuary IV7+ years$140,844
Actuary V7-10 years$164,970
Actuarial Fellow10-12 years$182,435

Top Paying Cities for Actuary IVs

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: $177,647
  • San Francisco: $175,701
  • Oakland: $171,999

What Skills Can Increase an Actuary IV's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 9.75% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Underwriting (Mentioned in 2.33% Job Postings): Underwriting services are provided by some large financial institutions, such as banks, or insurance or investment houses, whereby they guarantee payment in case of damage or financial loss and accept the financial risk for liability arising from such guarantee. An underwriting arrangement may be created in a number of situations including insurance, issue of securities in a public offering, and bank lending, among others. The person or institution that agrees to sell a minimum number of securities of the company for commission is called the underwriter. The name derives from the Lloyd's of London insurance market. Financial bankers, who would accept some of the risk on a given venture (historically a sea voyage with associated risks of shipwreck) in exchange for a premium, would literally write their names under the risk information that was written on a Lloyd's slip created for this purpose.
  • Collective Bargaining (Mentioned in 1.16% 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 9.75%
Underwriting 2.33%
Collective Bargaining 1.16%

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 IV's salary.

  • Data Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 18%.
  • Listening: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • Communication Skills: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Data Analysis $166,196
18%
Listening $160,562
14%
Communication Skills $157,745
12%

Actuary IV Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Actuary IV salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $157,399. While startup companies pay approximate $133,144.

Actuary IV Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $133,144
Growth Stage 51~500 $140,813
Established 501~5000 $151,989
Enterprise 5000+ $157,399

Actuary IV Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Actuary IV 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 Software & Networking and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 36% above the average. In contrast, Actuary positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Actuary IV as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Actuary IV

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$191,900$92.036%
Internet$177,816$85.026%
Financial Services$170,773$82.021%
Pharmaceuticals$166,548$80.018%
Biotechnology$163,731$79.016%

How Education impacts an Actuary IV's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Actuary IV 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 IV with a Bachelor's Degree is between $133,958 and $141,704.

Actuary IV Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Actuary IV
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 3.0%
High School 3.0%
Associates 3.0%
Bachelors 45.5%
Masters 45.5%
Doctorate 0.0%

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

Understanding how an Actuary IV'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
$128,846
Average $140,844/year
$149,829
$10,737
Average $11,737/month
$12,486
$2,478
Average $2,709/week
$2,881
$62
Average $68/hour
$72
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $149,829 $12,486 $2,881 $72
Average $140,844 $11,737 $2,709 $68
25th Percentile $128,846 $10,737 $2,478 $62

Actuary IV Salary Growth & Career Path

For an Actuary IV, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Actuary V role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $164,970 - a projected growth of 17% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Actuary IV

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

Common company salaries for Actuary IV

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

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FAQ about Actuary IV

1. Where can an Actuary IV earn the most?

An Actuary IV'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 IV earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of an Actuary IV is $177,647.

2. What is the highest pay for Actuary IV?

The highest pay for Actuary IV is $158,009.

3. What is the lowest pay for Actuary IV?

The lowest pay for Actuary IV is $117,922.

4. What are the responsibilities of Actuary IV?

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 highly independent. May assume a team lead role for the work group. A specialist on complex technical and business matters. Typically requires 7+ years of related experience.

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

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Actuary IV roles, with salaries approximately 36% 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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