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Actuarial Lead Salary in the United States

How much does an Actuarial Lead make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Actuarial Lead in the United States is $178,191 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $86.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $193,538
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $167,044 to $186,224
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $156,895
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Actuarial Lead Salaries

An Actuarial Lead'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 Lead Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Actuarial Lead'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $137,112
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $160,598
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $177,600
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $167,604
  • Expert (over 8 years): $220,328
Levels Salary
Actuary I... Level Actuarial Lead$137,112
Actuary V... Level Actuarial Lead$160,598
Actuarial... Level Actuarial Lead$177,600
Actuarial... Level Actuarial Lead$167,604
Actuarial... Level Actuarial Lead$220,328
View as Graph

How Do Actuarial Lead 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 Leads. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $197,293.
  • California: $196,545.
  • Massachusetts: $193,925.

Top Paying Cities for Actuarial Leads

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: $224,752
  • San Francisco: $222,291
  • Oakland: $217,607

What Skills Can Increase an Actuarial Lead's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 8.72% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Financial Reporting (Mentioned in 1.41% Job Postings): Reporting all activities and transactions to track and assess the financial health of the business.
  • PowerPoint (Mentioned in 1.02% Job Postings): A computer software created by Microsoft which allows the user to create slides with recordings, narrations, transitions and other features in order to present information.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 8.72%
Financial Reporting 1.41%
PowerPoint 1.02%
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 Lead's salary.

  • Industry Knowledge: Can increase your salary by up to 20%.
  • Coaching: Can increase your salary by up to 19%.
  • Action Oriented: Can increase your salary by up to 17%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Industry Knowledge $213,829
20%
Coaching $212,047
19%
Action Oriented $208,483
17%
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Actuarial Lead Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Actuarial Lead roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 110% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 60% above the average. In contrast, Actuarial Lead positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Actuarial Lead as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Actuarial Lead

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$285,106$137.060%
Pharmaceuticals$267,286$129.050%
Financial Services$249,467$120.040%
Internet$249,467$120.040%
Energy & Utilities$231,648$111.030%

How Education impacts an Actuarial Lead's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Actuarial Leads enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree 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 Lead with a Bachelor's Degree is between $175,629 and $184,865).

Actuarial Lead Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Actuarial Lead
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 19.6%
High School 19.6%
Associates 8.7%
Bachelors 41.3%
Masters 26.1%
Doctorate 4.3%
View as Graph

Actuarial Lead Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Actuarial Lead'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
$167,044
Average $178,191/year
$186,224
$13,920
Average $14,849/month
$15,519
$3,212
Average $3,427/week
$3,581
$80
Average $86/hour
$90
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $186,224 $15,519 $3,581 $90
Average $178,191 $14,849 $3,427 $86
25th Percentile $167,044 $13,920 $3,212 $80

Most common benefits for Actuarial Lead

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

Common company salaries for Actuarial Lead

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

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FAQ about Actuarial Lead

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Actuarial Lead?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Actuarial Lead roles, with salaries approximately 60% 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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