Pay by Role
United States · Salary comparison

Actuary vs Financial Advisor salary

In United States, a actuary earns about 30% more than a financial advisor $156,000 vs $120,000 per year.

Showing amounts in USD (USD default). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies

Pays more
Finance & Business
Actuary
$156,000/yr
Monthly
$13,000
Hourly
$75
Range
$102,600$221,200
10-yr outlook
+22%
Finance & Business
Financial Advisor
$120,000/yr
Monthly
$10,000
Hourly
$58
Range
$66,000$186,000
10-yr outlook
+13%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileActuaryFinancial Advisor
Entry (10th)$102,600$66,000
25th$129,300$93,000
Median$156,000$120,000
75th$188,600$153,000
Senior (90th)$221,200$186,000

National United States figures in USD. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

More Finance & Business comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a actuary or financial advisor earn more in United States?
A actuary earns more, at about $156,000 per year vs $120,000 for a financial advisor — roughly 30% ($36,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in United States?
A actuary typically earns $102,600–$221,200, while a financial advisor earns $66,000–$186,000 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in United States?
On a monthly basis before tax, a actuary averages about $13,000 and a financial advisor about $10,000.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in United States, a actuary earns about $102,600 while a financial advisor earns about $66,000 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in United States, a actuary earns about $221,200 while a financial advisor earns about $186,000 per year.
Are actuary and financial advisor similar careers?
Both roles sit in the Finance & Business category on Pay by Role, which is why we compare them head-to-head. Day-to-day work still differs — review each job page for skills and outlook.