Actuaries
Computer and Mathematical
The work is turning data on mortality, accidents, sickness, disability, and retirement into probability tables and forecasts of future payouts. From those numbers come premium rates and the cash reserves needed to pay benefits when they come due. The same analysis goes into designing or reviewing insurance, annuity, and pension plans and checking whether they are financially sound. Much of the job is done with programmers, underwriters, claims staff, and senior managers on new lines of business or changes to existing ones, plus explaining technical findings to executives, officials, or the public. It suits people who like careful math and questions about risk years ahead.
Typical education: Bachelor’s Degree (4-year)
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$130'000
Median Wage Market Position
$130'000
What you might do
- Set premium rates and the cash reserves to hold
- Estimate death, accident, and retirement rates
- Build probability tables for fires and disasters
- Review insurance and pension plans for soundness
- Explain technical findings to executives and officials
- Work with underwriters on new lines of business
Skills that matter
- Setting premiums and cash reserves
- Estimating death, accident, and disability rates
- Probability tables for fires and disasters
- Reviewing insurance and pension plans
- Explaining technical risk to executives
- Advising clients as a consultant
AI & the future of this role
Pricing models, reserve calculations, and scenario runs are quantitative tasks automation may take over more readily. Credentialed judgment on assumptions and regulatory sign-off still matters, but analytical core work looks exposed.
Does Actuaries fit your values?
Take the free LostInCareer assessment to see personalized matches based on your core values—not just a personality label.
Related careers
Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details