Actuaries
SOC Code: 15-2011
Actuaries carries a 35% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $125,770 and +21.8% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 33,600 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 35% AI exposure, Actuaries sits 2 points below the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 46% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Where Actuaries sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Actuaries has ai exposure of 35%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Actuaries vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Actuaries is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Actuaries (SOC 15-2011) carries an AI exposure score of 35%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 33,600 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +21.8% change through 2034 - a strong growth outlook that compensates meaningfully for automation risk. Median annual compensation stands at $125,770, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires Bachelor's degree, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Actuaries. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Ascertain premium rates required and cash reserves and liabilities necessary to ensure payment of future benefits.
- 2. Collaborate with programmers, underwriters, accounts, claims experts, and senior management to help companies develop plans for new lines of business or improvements to existing business.
- 3. Analyze statistical information to estimate mortality, accident, sickness, disability, and retirement rates.
- 4. Design, review, and help administer insurance, annuity and pension plans, determining financial soundness and calculating premiums.
- 5. Determine, or help determine, company policy, and explain complex technical matters to company executives, government officials, shareholders, policyholders, or the public.
- 6. Construct probability tables for events such as fires, natural disasters, and unemployment, based on analysis of statistical data and other pertinent information.
- 7. Provide advice to clients on a contract basis, working as a consultant.
- 8. Determine equitable basis for distributing surplus earnings under participating insurance and annuity contracts in mutual companies.
- 9. Negotiate terms and conditions of reinsurance with other companies.
- 10. Provide expertise to help financial institutions manage risks and maximize returns associated with investment products or credit offerings.
Key Skills Required
- Reading Comprehension
- Mathematics
- Critical Thinking
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Active Listening
- Complex Problem Solving
- Systems Evaluation
- Speaking
- Systems Analysis
- Writing
Knowledge Areas
- Mathematics
- Computers and Electronics
- Economics and Accounting
- English Language
- Law and Government
- Administration and Management
- Education and Training
- Personnel and Human Resources
- Sales and Marketing
- Customer and Personal Service
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Actuaries?
Actuaries has an AI exposure score of 35%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Actuaries?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Actuaries is projected to grow by 21.8% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 33,600 workers.
What skills are needed for Actuaries?
Key skills for Actuaries include Reading Comprehension, Mathematics, Critical Thinking, and others. Typical entry-level education is Bachelor's degree.
How much do Actuaries earn?
The median annual wage for Actuaries is $125,770, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Actuaries?
The typical entry-level education for Actuaries is Bachelor's degree. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Long-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Actuaries?
Actuaries roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
Related Occupations
Career Guides
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).