Pay by Role
United States · Salary comparison

Actuary vs Investment Banker salary

In United States, a investment banker earns about 21% more than a actuary $189,000 vs $156,000 per year.

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

Finance & Business
Actuary
$156,000/yr
Monthly
$13,000
Hourly
$75
Range
$102,600$221,200
10-yr outlook
+22%
Pays more
Finance & Business
Investment Banker
$189,000/yr
Monthly
$15,800
Hourly
$91
Range
$86,900$313,700
10-yr outlook
+7%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileActuaryInvestment Banker
Entry (10th)$102,600$86,900
25th$129,300$138,000
Median$156,000$189,000
75th$188,600$251,400
Senior (90th)$221,200$313,700

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 investment banker earn more in United States?
A investment banker earns more, at about $189,000 per year vs $156,000 for a actuary — roughly 21% ($33,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in United States?
A actuary typically earns $102,600–$221,200, while a investment banker earns $86,900–$313,700 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 investment banker about $15,800.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in United States, a actuary earns about $102,600 while a investment banker earns about $86,900 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in United States, a actuary earns about $221,200 while a investment banker earns about $313,700 per year.
Are actuary and investment banker 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.