Actuary vs Compliance Officer: Which Pays More?
Side-by-side salary comparison by city, experience level, and career growth outlook. Data reflects current market rates.
Actuary
Use statistics and mathematics to assess financial risk in insurance and finance.
Compliance Officer
Ensure the organisation adheres to legal and regulatory requirements.
Actuary earns more on average — the national median is $49,270/year (61%) higher than a Compliance Officer. However, salaries vary significantly by city, employer, and experience level — see the city-by-city breakdown below.
Actuary vs Compliance Officer — Salary by City
National median figures in USD across top cities.
| City | Actuary | Compliance Officer | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $189,793 | $116,110 | Actuary +$73,683 |
| New York, NY | $158,465 | $95,560 | Actuary +$62,905 |
| Seattle, WA | $180,437 | $112,100 | Actuary +$68,337 |
| Austin, TX | $142,664 | $91,160 | Actuary +$51,504 |
| Chicago, IL | $140,783 | $87,128 | Actuary +$53,655 |
| Boston, MA | $172,745 | $106,920 | Actuary +$65,825 |
| London, UK | £102,352 | £64,665 | Actuary +$37,687 |
| Toronto, Canada | CA$170,449 | CA$108,867 | Actuary +$61,582 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Actuary or Compliance Officer earn more?+
A Actuary earns more on average. The national median salary for a Actuary is $130,000/year, compared to $80,730/year for a Compliance Officer — a difference of $49,270 (61%).
Which has better career growth — Actuary or Compliance Officer?+
Actuary roles are growing at 20% YoY while Compliance Officer demand is growing at 18% YoY. Actuary has stronger near-term demand growth.
Can you switch from Actuary to Compliance Officer?+
Yes. Many professionals transition between these roles, especially since both are in the same category. Shared skills include: analytical thinking, communication, and industry knowledge.
Which is harder to automate — Actuary or Compliance Officer?+
Actuary has a lower AI automation risk (45% vs 55%). Based on Oxford Martin School and McKinsey 2023 analysis.