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Salary comparison

Actuaries vs. Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors: Who Earns More?

Actuaries out-earn Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors by $68K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Actuaries land at $130,000 and Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors at $61,540. The education gap is real: actuary programs typically require bachelor's degree, while adult basic education, adult secondary education, and english as a second language instructor programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Actuaries is Connecticut ($166,800); for Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors it's California ($102,030).

Actuaries
Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors
Median salary
$130,000
$61,540
Hourly rate
$62.5/hr
$29.59/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$78,570
$41,810
Senior level (90th %)
$215,100
$98,030
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
U.S. employment
26,670
37,310
Job growth (10-year)
21.8%
-13.7%
Category
Technology
Education
Top-paying state
Connecticut
California

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Actuaries median pay.

State
Actuaries
Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors
Connecticut
$166,800
$72,180
District of Columbia
$166,230
$62,940
New York
$156,480
$78,010
New Jersey
$142,800
$81,100
Arizona
$135,870
$61,750
Washington
$134,720
$69,990
Virginia
$131,900
$64,540
Wisconsin
$131,640
$64,980
California
$130,510
$102,030
Oregon
$130,380
$65,700
Minnesota
$128,100
$76,800
Massachusetts
$126,040
$62,290
Illinois
$115,430
$62,370
Tennessee
$108,930
$60,340
Louisiana
$80,860
$66,870

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Actuaries or Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors?

Actuaries earn more nationally. The median is $130,000 for Actuaries versus $61,540 for Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors, a difference of $68K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Actuaries or Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors?

Actuaries has the better 10-year outlook at 21.8% projected growth, compared to -13.7% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Actuaries or Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors?

Actuaries typically requires bachelor's degree. Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Actuaries get paid the most?

Connecticut is the top-paying state for Actuaries at $166,800/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Actuaries vs. Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Connecticut, Actuaries earn $166,800 vs. $72,180 for Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Actuaries salary breakdownView →Full Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors salary breakdownView →Best cities for Actuaries by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors by take-home payExplore →How to become a actuariesGuide →How to become a adult basic education, adult secondary education, and english as a second language instructorsGuide →