How much can an actuary earn? Ultimately that’s up to the individual, but there is a strong correlation between salary increases and completion of the actuarial exams. Typical starting salaries for graduates who have completed at least one professional exam were in the range of $40-$45,000+ in 2000. For an update in salaries go to, www.actuaryjobs.com/salary.html. How far can an actuary go? Broad knowledge of the insurance, pension and employee benefits fields often leads actuaries to top administrative and executive positions.

Today, many major insurance companies in the Twin Cities and throughout the country are headed by actuaries. In a recent, nationwide survey of 100 actuaries, almost half were vice presidents, presidents and directors of the corporations for which they worked.