An actuary’s salary in the investment field can vary significantly depending on factors like qualifications, years of experience, sector, and geographic location. Newly qualified actuaries may start around $70,000 while senior investment actuaries at top firms can make over $200,000. Key factors include professional credentials like FSA, years of specialized experience, working at top investment banks/funds versus insurance companies, and being based in global financial hubs like New York or London rather than smaller domestic markets.
Getting professional credentials boosts investment actuary salary
Earning credentials like Fellow of Society of Actuaries (FSA) requires passing a series of intense exams and gaining work experience. Less than 50% of candidates complete the multi-year qualification process. FSAs command much higher salary offers and career advancement opportunities compared to lower-level actuaries. Specialist investment and finance actuaries tend to earn 20-30% higher pay than traditional insurance actuaries at the same level.
More experience brings exponentially higher salary as investment actuary
While entry-level investment actuaries may start around $70,000, those with 5+ years of experience at top firms can make $130,000-150,000 on average. Senior finance actuaries with 10-15+ years of specialized investment experience and modeling expertise can make well over $200,000, along with lucrative bonuses and equity compensation.
Working for top investment banks and funds pays more than insurance
While insurance companies employ a large number of actuaries, pay tends to top out around $150-180,000 for senior roles. However boutique investment banks and fund managers focused on high finance recruiting and reward top talent very lucratively. Senior investment actuaries at elite funds like Bridgewater, Citadel, Millennium, and Two Sigma can make over $300,000 annually.
Financial hub locations increase salary versus domestic markets
Investment actuaries based in major global financial centers like New York, London, Hong Kong, and Singapore can earn 30-50% higher pay for comparable roles versus working in smaller domestic markets. Demand concentrates and compensation rises significantly in these prime hub locations.
An investment actuary’s salary growth trajectory relies heavily on specialized qualifications, years of relevant work experience, types of employers, and geographic location. While starting salaries average around $70,000, senior finance actuaries at top investment firms in global hubs can make over $300,000 annually.