Actuary vs Aerospace Engineer Salary (2026)
Side-by-side salary comparison based on BLS OES data. Updated 2026.
Higher paying occupation
Aerospace Engineer
$130,131/yr median(+$5,350 · 4.3% more)
Actuary
Median$124,781
Mean$132,599
10th %ile$78,523
25th %ile$96,053
75th %ile$159,870
90th %ile$199,213
Employed24K+
Higher pay
Aerospace Engineer
Median$130,131
Mean$134,024
10th %ile$87,598
25th %ile$103,253
75th %ile$159,750
90th %ile$187,400
Employed67K+
Salary Distribution Comparison
Actuary
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $78,523 |
| 25th percentile | $96,053 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $124,781 |
| 75th percentile | $159,870 |
| 90th percentile | $199,213 |
Aerospace Engineer
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $87,598 |
| 25th percentile | $103,253 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $130,131 |
| 75th percentile | $159,750 |
| 90th percentile | $187,400 |
Top Paying States
Actuary
| # | State | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Connecticut | $166,800 |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $166,230 |
| 3 | New York | $156,480 |
| 4 | New Jersey | $142,800 |
| 5 | Alabama | $136,950 |
Aerospace Engineer
| # | State | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minnesota | $159,060 |
| 2 | Washington | $158,370 |
| 3 | California | $157,620 |
| 4 | District of Columbia | $157,600 |
| 5 | Maryland | $156,750 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which pays more, Actuary or Aerospace Engineer?
- Aerospace Engineer pays more with a median salary of $130,131/year, which is 4.3% more than Actuary at $124,781/year.
- What is the salary difference between Actuary and Aerospace Engineer?
- The median salary difference is $5,350/year (4.3%).