How to hire an actuarial associate

How to hire an actuarial associate, step by step

Here's a step-by-step actuarial associate hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an actuarial associate job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new actuarial associate
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does an actuarial associate do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring an actuarial associate, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   An actuarial associate's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, actuarial associates from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list shows salaries for various types of actuarial associates.

   Type of Actuarial Associate	Description	Hourly rate
   Actuarial Associate	Actuaries analyze the financial costs of risk and uncertainty. They use mathematics, statistics, and financial theory to assess the risk that an event will occur, and they help businesses and clients develop policies that minimize the cost of that risk... Show more	$29-66
   Finance Systems Analyst	A finance systems analyst specializes in overseeing the financial systems in a company or business. Their responsibilities revolve around producing reports and presentations, liaising with the information technology team, maintaining information on databases, and monitoring and updating the financial systems... Show more	$30-55
   Client Services Analyst	A client service analyst examines a customer service department's operation and gives directions on ways to enhance productivity and customer satisfaction levels. Customer service analysts can create strategies and techniques to improve the service department's effectiveness by using data, which includes customer satisfaction reports, complaint logs, and surveys... Show more	$19-46

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Life Insurance
   • Financial Results
   • FSA
   • GAAP
   • SQL
   • VBA
   • SAS
   • Medicaid
   • Annuities
   • Projection
   • Annuity
   • Product Development
   • PowerPoint
   • Insurance Products

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Evaluate capitation agreements between provider groups and manage care plans, including commercial and Medicare populations.
   • Take ownership of quarterly Medicaid cost benefit ratio dashboard by compiling several state's claim cost/utilization data and premium information.
   • Present findings and recommendations, via Microsoft PowerPoint presentation, from research projects to senior management within the organization.

   More actuarial associate duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your actuarial associate job description helps attract top candidates to the position. An actuarial associate salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for an actuarial associate in Louisiana may be lower than in New York, and an entry-level actuarial associate usually earns less than a senior-level actuarial associate. Additionally, an actuarial associate with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average actuarial associate salary

   $92,434yearly

   $44.44 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level actuarial associate salary

   $61,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 21, 2026

   Average actuarial associate salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	New York	$112,382	$54
   2	Washington	$108,488	$52
   3	Connecticut	$106,411	$51
   4	Maine	$105,227	$51
   5	Delaware	$102,201	$49
   6	Massachusetts	$102,136	$49
   7	Missouri	$101,430	$49
   8	Maryland	$99,482	$48
   9	New Jersey	$98,752	$47
   10	Virginia	$98,080	$47
   11	California	$96,371	$46
   12	District of Columbia	$94,040	$45
   13	North Carolina	$90,547	$44
   14	Pennsylvania	$89,697	$43
   15	Indiana	$88,264	$42
   16	Texas	$87,527	$42
   17	Arizona	$86,786	$42
   18	Wisconsin	$86,590	$42
   19	Florida	$83,405	$40
   20	Oregon	$83,340	$40

   Average actuarial associate salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	AIG	$117,041	$56.27	26
   2	Lemonade	$113,238	$54.44
   3	W. R. Berkley	$112,870	$54.26	8
   4	Kaiser Permanente	$110,919	$53.33	59
   5	MetLife	$109,965	$52.87	9
   6	Watson Wyatt	$109,768	$52.77
   7	Voya Financial	$108,496	$52.16
   8	F&G	$108,094	$51.97
   9	Prudential Financial	$108,068	$51.96	6
   10	Genworth	$107,089	$51.49	2
   11	Ing Security Life Of Denver	$106,578	$51.24
   12	IBX Foundation	$105,502	$50.72	3
   13	Berkshire Hathaway	$105,420	$50.68	6
   14	ICW Group	$104,161	$50.08
   15	New York Life Insurance	$104,156	$50.08
   16	Pacific Mutual Holding	$103,921	$49.96
   17	The Prudential Insurance Company of America, Inc.	$103,840	$49.92
   18	USAA	$103,833	$49.92	3
   19	Boston Mutual Life Insurance	$103,018	$49.53
   20	John Hancock	$102,745	$49.40

4. Writing an actuarial associate job description

   An actuarial associate job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of an actuarial associate job description:

   Actuarial associate job description example

   Do you want to be part of a team that encourages your growth, supports your ambitions and makes it a priority for you to reach your goals? Is helping people part of who you are? At MassMutual, we help millions of people find financial freedom, offer financial protection and plan for the future. We do this by building trust with our customers by being knowledgeable problem solvers and prioritize their needs above all else. We Live Mutual.
   Description
   
   *We are operating a hybrid model, where only 2 days in the office is required to maximize collaboration and flexibility, remaining days working from home at either our Boston, MA or Springfield, MA office locations.
   The OpportunityMassMutual values Actuaries and their key leadership role in helping MassMutual achieve its strategic goals. The Actuarial Leadership Development Program (ALDP) provides you with all the benefits needed to not only successfully pass actuarial exams, but to prepare you for leadership roles throughout the organization. The rotational design of the program exposes students to a broad breadth of experiences as well as technical and industry knowledge. You will experience working in a diverse and established Fortune 100 Company while having fun and building relationships that will last a lifetime.The ImpactAs a participant in the ALDP, you will experience the following:Rotations: Engage in meaningful work that supports the success of the company as you are exposed to various business lines and actuarial functions through our rotational program.Mentors: Learn from a mentor who will work closely with you to provide career and exam guidance, development, coaching and support.Meaningful Projects: Apply your knowledge and skills by participating in high profile projects in a respected and highly rated company.Networking Lunches with Senior Actuaries: Attend networking lunches that allow you to interact with senior actuaries at MassMutual, including the Chief Actuary and Chief Investment Officer.Executive Speaker Series: Attend education forums presented by company leaders that will educate you on a variety of possible topics, including industry issues, line of business initiatives, and major projects. Past speakers have included the President & CEO, the CFO, and leaders of various lines of business.External Seminars & Meetings: Attend actuarial seminars and meetings to enhance your understanding of industry issues and network with other industry professionals.Corporate Learning & Development Programs: Participate in internal programs that allow you to develop leadership competencies in areas such as interpersonal relations, presentation skills, business acumen, and the like.Community Volunteer Opportunities: Embrace the regular opportunities to give back to the local community alongside other MassMutual employees.Social & Networking Events: Attend actuarial networking events with other students and company actuaries, such as mini-golf, bowling, softball, and exam recognition nights The Minimum QualificationsBA or BS with a quantitative focus (e.g., Mathematics, Actuarial, Finance, Economics or related major); must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher Must have completion of 4 or more actuarial exams2+ years of actuarial experience, preferably 1-2 actuarial rotations Commitment to pursue Fellowship in the Society of ActuariesDemonstrated leadership skills Must be authorized to work in the United States without requiring visa sponsorship, both now and in the future The Ideal QualificationsStrong computer skills (e.g., Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Access) Strong analytical skills Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects Demonstration of MassMutual's Winning Ways: Act With Integrity, Focus on the Customer, Value People, Work Collaboratively, and Achieve ResultsWhat to Expect as Part of MassMutual and the TeamRegular meetings with the ALDP TeamFocused one-on-one meetings with your manager Access to mentorship opportunities Networking opportunities including access to Asian, Hispanic/Latinx, African American, women, LGBTQ, Veteran and disability-focused Business Resource GroupsAccess to learning content on Degreed and other informational platforms Your ethics and integrity will be valued by a company with a strong and stable ethical business with industry leading pay and benefits About MassMutualWe've been around since 1851. During our history, we've helped millions of people find financial freedom, offer financial protection, and plan for the future.Today, we continue to develop meaningful relationships with our customers by building their trust, being knowledge problem solvers and always prioritizing their needs. MassMutual is guided by a single purpose: We help people secure their future and protect the ones they love. As a company owned by our policyowners, we are defined by mutuality and our vision to put customers first. It's more than our company structure - it's our way of life. MassMutual was recognized as an Ethisphere 2020 World's Most Ethical Company, a Top Place to Work in 2020 according to The Boston Globe and named among America's Best Employers for Diversity according to Forbes 2020. MassMutual is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer Minority/Female/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/Individual with Disability/Protected Veteran. We welcome all persons to apply. Note: Veterans are welcome to apply, regardless of their discharge status.#LI-LC1#LI-HYBRID
   
   Why Join Us.
   
   We've been around since 1851. During our history, we've learned a few things about making sure our customers are our top priority. In order to meet and exceed their expectations, we must have the best people providing the best thinking, products and services. To accomplish this, we celebrate an inclusive, vibrant and diverse culture that encourages growth, openness and opportunities for everyone. A career with MassMutual means you will be part of a strong, stable and ethical business with industry leading pay and benefits. And your voice will always be heard.
   
   We help people secure their future and protect the ones they love. As a company owned by our policyowners, we are defined by mutuality and our vision to put customers first. It's more than our company structure - it's our way of life. We are a company of people protecting people. Our company exists because people are willing to share risk and resources, and rely on each other when it counts. At MassMutual, we Live Mutual.
   
   MassMutual is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer Minority/Female/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/Individual with Disability/Protected Veteran. We welcome all persons to apply. Note: Veterans are welcome to apply, regardless of their discharge status.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right actuarial associate for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with actuarial associates they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit actuarial associates who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your actuarial associate job on Zippia to find and recruit actuarial associate candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting actuarial associates requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   While interviews are great, you will only sometimes learn enough from a conversation with an actuarial associate applicant. In those cases, having candidates complete a test project can go a long way in figuring out who's the most likely to succeed in the role. If you aren't a technical person and don't know how to design an appropriate test, you can ask someone else on the team to create it or take a look at these websites to get a few ideas:

   • TestDome
   • CodeSignal
   • Testlify
   • BarRaiser
   • Coderbyte

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new actuarial associate

   Once you have selected a candidate for the actuarial associate position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire an actuarial associate?