Accountants and Auditors vs. Actuaries: Who Earns More?
Actuaries out-earn Accountants and Auditors by $46K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Accountants and Auditors land at $83,680 and Actuaries at $130,000. The education gap is real: accountants and auditor programs typically require bachelor's degree, while actuary programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Accountants and Auditors is District of Columbia ($111,530); for Actuaries it's Connecticut ($166,800).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Accountants and Auditors median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Accountants and Auditors or Actuaries?
Actuaries earn more nationally. The median is $83,680 for Accountants and Auditors versus $130,000 for Actuaries, a difference of $46K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Accountants and Auditors or Actuaries?
Actuaries has the better 10-year outlook at 21.8% projected growth, compared to 4.6% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Accountants and Auditors or Actuaries?
Accountants and Auditors typically requires bachelor's degree. Actuaries requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Accountants and Auditors get paid the most?
District of Columbia is the top-paying state for Accountants and Auditors at $111,530/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Accountants and Auditors vs. Actuaries pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In District of Columbia, Accountants and Auditors earn $111,530 vs. $166,230 for Actuaries. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.