What percent of actuaries pass all exams?

Very few actuaries pass all exams on the first try, with some estimates suggesting under 10%, but overall completion rates are higher, with roughly 10-15% of all exam takers eventually earning Fellowship (FSA/FCAS), while a larger portion achieves Associateship (ASA/ACAS) before potentially dropping off, highlighting the exams' extreme difficulty with individual pass rates often 40-50%.

What percent of people pass actuarial exams?

Pass rates for actuarial exams generally hover around 40–50%. This statistic may seem discouraging at first glance, but it serves as a reminder of the challenging nature of the profession.

How hard is it to pass all 10 actuary exams?

Actuarial exams are known to be very hard, especially the fellowship level exams. It's very common to spend hundreds of hours studying for each exam over several months. Most people don't get through all the exams without failing at least 1 or 2 along the way.

How much do actuaries make after passing all exams?

An actuary that is just starting out in the field with 2 actuarial exams passed can expect to make between $46,000 and $71,000. Once the actuary has passed all 10 exams and gained 6-7 years of experience then $125,000 to $190,000 would be reasonable.

What is the pass rate for the enrolled actuary exam?

What is the EA exam pass rate? If you take an average of all three parts, the most current Enrolled Agent exam pass rate for the past yearly window is 66%. In 2021, the EA exam faced major changes, and the pass rate average was also effected.

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Are actuary exams harder than CA?

Actuary exams are tougher and take longer; many take 5 to 10 years, while accounting tests clear faster.

Can you make 300K as an actuary?

Yes, an actuary can definitely make $300k or more, but it typically requires significant experience (often 15-25+ years), achieving senior leadership or consulting roles (like Chief Actuary, CFO, or Partner), specializing in high-demand areas, and holding advanced certifications (like FCAS/FSA). While entry-level roles start much lower, experienced actuaries in top positions, particularly in consulting or high-growth sectors like P&C or health, regularly earn $300k+ in total compensation, including bonuses and incentives. 

Who gets paid more, actuary or CPA?

Actuaries generally earn more than CPAs on average, especially early in their careers and as they achieve higher certifications (like FSA), due to specialized skills and rigorous exams; however, top-level CPAs, such as CFOs, can reach or even exceed senior actuary salaries, with accounting offering potential for high earnings through business ownership (like a CPA firm) or high-level executive roles, while actuaries typically see higher guaranteed six-figure salaries upon qualification.
 

Can actuaries earn $500,000?

Yes, actuaries can earn $500k or more, especially in senior leadership roles like Chief Actuary or Partner in consulting, but it requires significant experience, credentials (Fellowship), strategic career moves like job hopping, and often specialized areas like consulting or reinsurance, as most actuaries earn less, with the median around $125k-$150k. 

Are actuary exams harder than CPA?

Yes, actuarial exams are generally considered much harder and more rigorous than CPA exams, requiring significantly more time (5-10 years vs. ~18 months for CPA) to pass a longer series of specialized math-intensive exams (around 10 for actuaries vs. 4 for CPAs) covering complex statistics, calculus, finance, and probability, whereas CPA exams focus on accounting rules, regulations, and application.
 

Is actuary harder than CFA?

While both are extremely difficult, most sources suggest actuarial exams are generally harder, requiring more math/statistics, a longer commitment (5-6+ years vs. CFA's ~2-4 years for 3 levels), and having lower pass rates on upper exams, but the CFA is known for its breadth in finance and investment topics, making it a very challenging global standard in its own right. Actuarial difficulty lies in its deep technical math and risk modeling, while CFA is broad across all of finance. 

How many times can you fail an actuarial exam?

How to pass next time. Like I said above, and you probably already know, you can write actuarial exams an unlimited number of times until you pass. But, if you're like most people, you probably want to get each one out of the way as quickly as possible.

Are actuary exams harder than the bar exam?

Having passed one bar exam and two actuarial exams (P, FM), my opinion is that the actuarial exams are harder. The bar exam had a much broader base of issues, but they did not have much depth. If you can quote the legal principle involved, you get the points. Not so for actuarial exams.

Will AI replace actuaries?

No, actuaries are unlikely to be fully replaced by AI; instead, AI will transform the role, handling data-heavy tasks, boosting productivity, and allowing actuaries to focus on higher-value work like strategic advising, complex problem-solving, and ethical considerations, which require human judgment, context, and communication skills that AI lacks. The profession is evolving to incorporate AI tools, with actuaries who embrace and leverage these technologies becoming more essential, not obsolete. 

What is the hardest insurance exam to pass?

There isn't one single "hardest" insurance exam, but Property & Casualty (P&C) and Accident & Health (A&H) are often cited as tough due to their complex liability (P&C) and intricate policy details (A&H). The Nevada P&C exam stands out for its unusually high 80% passing score, making it notoriously difficult. Advanced financial licenses like FINRA Series 7 are also considered very challenging due to depth in stocks, bonds, and regulation. 

Is actuarial math heavy?

Math Required in an Actuarial Degree Depends on the Role

These rely heavily on math, especially advanced modeling and statistical analysis. Less Technical Roles: Areas like management or client-facing actuarial positions use more high-level math and focus on interpreting results rather than running calculations.

What is the lowest paid actuary?

Entry-Level Actuaries: Those with 0–1 years of experience and 1–3 exams passed can expect a starting salary of around $70,000-$80,000. Mid-Level Actuaries: CAS actuaries with 5–10 years of experience, credentialed as ACAS or FCAS, see salaries ranging from $150,000–$200,000.

Are most actuaries millionaires?

Not automatically. It takes smart financial planning and career growth. Q: What's the average salary for an actuary? In the U.S., actuaries earn $100,000+ on average, with senior roles often exceeding $200,000.

Is actuary a hard degree?

Yes, actuarial science is widely considered a hard major due to its rigorous math/stats, demanding coursework, and especially the extensive, challenging professional exams that require thousands of study hours alongside your degree, but it's manageable and rewarding for those with strong analytical skills and dedication. The difficulty stems from complex concepts, multi-step problem-solving, and the pressure of balancing studies with high-stakes exams, but passion for risk analysis makes the effort worthwhile, leading to stable, high-paying careers. 

Is actuary harder than accounting?

Is Actuary Harder Than Accountancy? Becoming an actuary is generally considered to be harder than becoming an accountant as it is a more specialized field of work and the certification process is more difficult, taking many more years to complete.

Can a CPA make 300k a year?

Yes, a CPA can absolutely make $300k, especially in senior leadership roles like Partner, CFO, or Director in large firms or corporations, or by owning a successful practice, though it typically requires significant experience (10+ years), specialization, business development, and working in high-cost areas like major cities, with partners at large firms often earning well over $300k. 

What is the unemployment rate for actuaries?

According to DW Simpson's 2025 Market Trends report, the unemployment rate for actuaries remains under 1%—a strong indicator of sustained demand across insurance, healthcare, and financial sectors. This stability is driven by the growing need for risk management expertise in an increasingly volatile world.

Which country pays actuaries the most?

Remote Roles – Some companies offer competitive pay for actuaries working remotely, especially for specialized roles. International Differences – The highest salaries are often in the U.S., Switzerland, and the U.K., while some other countries have lower compensation.

Are actuaries smart?

If you're not completed turned off by all the math, and you're able to understand the math concepts that you learned in your university level high school courses, then you're smart enough to be an actuary. Smarts isn't all you need to be successful in this career though.

How many hours do actuaries work?

work schedule

Working as an actuary means that you will typically work between 40 and 50 hours each week. However, that can fluctuate depending on the circumstances. You may be asked to work more when there are project deadlines to meet.