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How to Become an actuary
Glassdoor Team
Glassdoor Team | Author & Career Expert at Glassdoor | Jan 1, 2024
Are you thinking of becoming an actuary or already started your career and planning the next step? Learn how to become an actuary, what skills you need to succeed, how to advance your career and get promoted, and what levels of pay to expect at each step on your career path. Explore new actuary job openings and options for career transitions into related roles.
Steps to Become an actuary
If you're considering starting your Actuary career path, it's important to note the skills, qualifications, and time it takes to become a professional Actuary and how to advance your career path. Below are the steps generally required to begin and advance your Actuary career.
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Earn a degree
To begin your Actuary career path, a Bachelor's Degree in Acturarial Science or a related field is usually necessary in order to remain a competitive option for employers. Focus on industry-specific skill development during your education in order to be properly equipped when applying for entry-level positions and entering the job force. An Actuary internship may be required to earn your Bachelor's Degree and acquire necessary on-the-job skills before entering the workforce. -
Choose speciality
As an Actuary, you may be required to choose a specialty within your field. Determine which part of the Actuary field you feel strongest in, and continue taking active steps toward growing in your chosen Actuary specialty. -
Get an entry level
Once you've acquired a Bachelor's Degree in Acturarial Science or a related field, you'll typically begin your career as an entry-level Actuary. In general, you can become an Actuary after completing your 4 year Bachelor's Degree in a related discipline. Depending on the type of Actuary role you’re pursuing, you may want to explore certification in . -
Advance in career
Following entry-level, there are several Actuary career path levels to advance into. It can take 2 years as an entry-level Actuary to progress to the senior actuary position. Each advanced Actuary position requires approximately 5 years of experience at each level to advance in your Actuary career path. It may be necessary to receive additional education, an advanced degree such as a Master's Degree in a related field, or special certifications in order to advance your Actuary career path. -
Continued education opportunities
Not all industries and companies require continued education to advance your Actuary career path. However, earning this degree may help you advance to higher-earning positions more quickly. Earning a Graduate Degree in Acturarial Science can take 4 years to complete. People that have earned their Graduate Degree typically make $190,210 compared to $81,869 for those without that type of degree.
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