Actuary
Use stats and finance to price risk for insurers, pension funds and big employers.
This UK actuary career guide covers what the role involves day to day, typical salary at each stage, the usual entry route, the skills employers expect, and related careers worth comparing.
Quick facts
- Starting salary
- £32,000 - £45,000
- Mid-career salary
- £60,000 - £90,000
- Senior salary
- £110,000 - £200,000+
- Work environment
- Office or hybrid
- Time to entry
- 5 - 8 years (IFoA exams)
- Degree required
- Usually required
- Category
- Business, Finance and Legal
What a Actuary does
Use stats and finance to price risk for insurers, pension funds and big employers.
- Pensions - DB / DC pension scheme advisory work.
- General Insurance - Pricing and reserving in GI insurers.
- Life Insurance / Life Assurance - Life office reserving and capital work.
- Investment Risk - Investment consulting and risk advisory.
- Enterprise Risk - ERM and capital modelling at insurers.
How to become a Actuary
- Look up Actuary roles on LinkedIn or Indeed and read 5 real job ads
- Talk to someone already working as a Actuary - even a 15-minute call helps
- Find one beginner course or qualification used by people in this role
- Build one small piece of evidence you've explored this (project, shadowing, short course)
- Apply to one entry-level role or related opportunity within the next month
Key skills
- Maths
- Stats
- Modelling
- Exam stamina
- Communication