Leverage insights from DW Simpson’s latest salary survey (Actuarial Salary Surveys – DW Simpson) to stay competitive in today’s actuarial hiring market
As we move through 2025, the actuarial talent market remains highly competitive. The latest DW Simpson Salary Survey, the industry standard for actuarial compensation, reveals not only how salaries are trending but also what employers must consider to attract top-tier candidates.
Here’s what you need to know to budget effectively, hire strategically, and retain actuarial talent in today’s market.
Key 2025 Salary Trends from DW Simpson’s Data
1. Base Salaries Are Rising for Mid-Level Actuaries – Actuaries with 4–10 years of experience have seen some of the largest salary increases, especially those who hold ASA/ACAS or FSA/FCAS credentials. This is driven by demand for professionals who can lead projects but aren’t yet in executive roles, where ROI is highly visible.
- Example: An FSA with 5–7 years of experience in a consulting or insurance setting now averages $155K–$190K, up ~6–8% from the previous year.
2. Credentialed Actuaries Command a Premium
The wage gap between credentialed and non-credentialed actuaries continues to grow. Employers slow to support exam progress or offering flat exam support packages are losing talent to competitors who do.
- ASA and ACAS candidates have seen a 5% year-over-year salary increase.
- New FSAs and FCAS’s are particularly in demand.
3. Location-Based Pay Gaps Are Shrinking
The shift toward hybrid and remote work over the last few years has flattened geographic pay differences. Candidates now benchmark against national salary data, not just local employers.
- Employers offering below-market salaries due to “lower cost-of-living” regions are often outbid, even by remote competitors.
4. Predictive Analytics & Data Science Roles Offer Salary Uplifts
Actuaries working in roles that blend actuarial science with data science (Python, R, SQL, etc.) are often earning 10–15% more than their peers.
- DW Simpson’s data shows clear movement toward actuarial-data hybrid roles being among the fastest-growing and best-compensated.
What This Means for Employers
If you’re hiring actuaries in 2025, here are three practical takeaways from the data:
Benchmark Before You Budget
Before setting a compensation range, compare your salary offer with DW Simpson’s survey data Actuarial Salary Surveys – DW Simpson, filtered by experience level, credentials, industry, and region. If you’re offering below market rate, expect candidate attrition, or prolonged hiring timelines.
Support Credentialing
Exam support is not a perk, it’s a necessity for talent retention. Flexible study time, exam reimbursements, and bonuses for each credential achieved will boost your employer brand.
Be Flexible with Location and Job Descriptions
Candidates now expect remote/hybrid options and the ability to work with cutting-edge tools. Actuarial roles that incorporate analytics, modeling, data science, and predictive modeling are more attractive, and pay more.
Need Assistance Staying Competitive? DW Simpson Can Help
At DW Simpson, we don’t just publish the data, we update it every day through conversations with actuaries, hiring managers, and industry leaders. Whether you’re hiring a junior analyst or a Chief Actuary, we help you make informed hiring decisions that align with the current market.
Whether you need help benchmarking a new role or developing a strategy to attract credentialed talent, we’re here to help.
Visit dwsimpson.com to start the conversation.