We surveyed 919 actuaries to better understand the work environment and required skills of a typical actuary. Here are the results.
How much intelligence is required as an actuary?
Low
High
Working as an actuary typically requires higher levels of intelligence when compared with the average career. This means that actuaries are required to actively learn new things related to their discipline and solve complex problems.
Can I learn to become an actuary?
Intrinsic Talent
Acquired Talent
A career as an actuary typically depends predominantly on qualities you can gain through experience, with a small aspect of skills you are born with.
Is it easy to get a job as an actuary?
Easy
Hard
It’s typically difficult to find a job as an actuary. If you’re curious about the numbers, check out the job market for actuaries.
Do actuaries work full-time or part-time?
94% of actuaries work in full-time roles while 6% work part-time.
Is being an actuary stressful?
Low
High
Actuaries tend not to find their jobs stressful, which likely contributes positively to career satisfaction.
Is being organized important as an actuary?
Low
High
Organization is not considered a particuarly important part of being an actuary.
How competitive is the workplace for actuaries?
Low
High
Actuaries see mild competition in their workplace.
Does being an actuary require frequent time pressure to complete tasks?
Low
High
Time pressure tends not to be a major contributor of stress for actuaries.
Are actuaries allowed to express themselves creatively?
Low
High
Actuaries rarely get a chance to express themselves creatively.
Do actuaries have control over the direction of their work?
Low
High
Actuaries tend to have a set and inflexible work schedule that they are unable to deviate from too much.
Is being an actuary physically demanding?
Low
High
Work as an actuaries is rarely physically demanding, making it a suitable option for those unable to perform physically strenuous tasks.
Are actuaries exposed to a wide variety of work?
Low
High
Actuaries tend to have a monotonous work routine, with little variety in their day-to-day tasks.
Does being an actuary require attention to detail?
Low
High
As in many careers, attention to detail is quite helpful for actuaries.
Does being a good actuary require compassion and empathy?
Low
High
The ability to be compassion and empathetic isn't considered fundamental to success as an actuary.