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In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Much of life is uncertain. It involves risks, such as sickness, disability, job loss, property damage or loss, or unforeseen death. No one can predict the chance of these risks for any one individual. However, actuaries use their specialized knowledge of finance, statistics, and risk theory to calculate probabilities. For example, they may measure the likelihood of certain events occurring in the future within defined groups. With that information, they can help design programs to mitigate (reduce damage from) risks.
In insurance companies, actuaries take part in almost every aspect of the business. This includes:
In other settings, actuaries provide a wide variety of services. For example, they may:
Although actuaries work in offices with standard office hours, longer hours do happen. Some travel may be required for business meetings and conferences.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
To find out how well this occupation fits your work personality types, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Click or tap a personality type for its description.
Find other alis occupations that match this occupation’s work personalities.
To identify or change your work personalities, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Mathematicians
2023 OaSIS: 21210.01
The graph below shows how well your scores match the overall abilities for this occupation.
The closer your ability scores are to the center, the more they match this occupation’s. The further away they are, the less they match this occupation’s.
The lower your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the more challenging the occupation will likely be for you. The higher your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the less challenging the occupation will likely be for you.
To find out how well this occupation fits your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
The 49 abilities are grouped into 5 abilities sets: Critical Thinking, Numbers and Patterns, Physical Activity, Mind-Body Coordination, and Senses.
Some abilities are more relevant to an occupation than other abilities. Individual abilities that are not relevant to an occupation are greyed out.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Critical Thinking includes 9 abilities related to identifying and solving problems, thinking of ideas, and communication, such as speaking and writing.
This is how well your scores match the set of Critical Thinking abilities for this occupation:
Numbers and Patterns includes 10 abilities related to math, memorizing, and multitasking. It also includes how we perceive patterns, shapes, and distances.
This is how well your scores match the set of Numbers and Patterns abilities for this occupation:
Physical Activity includes 9 abilities related to strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance.
This is how well your scores match the set of Physical Activity abilities for this occupation:
Mind-Body Coordination includes 9 abilities related to movement control and how we react to signals. It also includes fine motor skills, such finger and hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
This is how well your scores match the set of Mind-Body Coordination abilities for this occupation:
Senses includes 12 abilities related to seeing, hearing, and speaking.
This is how well your scores match the set of Senses abilities for this occupation:
Actuaries need:
They should enjoy:
Most actuaries have a bachelor’s degree in actuarial science, mathematics, or statistics. For information about degree programs in mathematics and statistics, see the Mathematician and Statistician occupational profiles.
The Canadian Institute of Actuaries (CIA) recommends that students take courses that are part of an appropriate degree program in actuarial science at a university accredited by the CIA.
To become a qualified actuary in Canada, candidates need related education and experience. As well as completing an accredited degree program, they also must complete some online modules, pass a series of qualifying exams, and satisfy some further requirements. A solid background in math is important. Courses in the following subject areas are an asset:
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
The Canadian Institute of Actuaries (CIA) offers designations, which include Associate of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries (ACIA) and Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries (FCIA). Students are encouraged to complete an accredited actuarial science degree and begin ACIA level modules in the 2nd or 3rd year. University students who obtain actuarial science degrees at accredited universities are eligible for the CIA’s ACIA Capstone exam.
Students may also complete degrees with a focus on mathematics, economics, corporate finance, and applied statistics, and follow a self-study route by taking examinations offered through The Society of Actuaries and the Casualty Actuarial Society. They can then apply for CIA membership after completing certain additional requirements.
Although most employers give actuarial students some time to study during working hours, students generally must study on their own time as well. Students in Canada should initially focus on the CIA, but may speak to their university professors about the SOA and CAS.
Other requirements include professional experience and continuing professional development. Candidates working toward fellowship need to enrol as an Associate of the CIA while accruing Canadian-specific professional experience.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Actuaries may work on a salaried or contract basis. They may work for:
There is an increasing demand for actuaries in non-traditional roles. These include compensation consulting, workers’ compensation, health-care management, financial planning, investments, environmental liability, enterprise risk management, human resources, and information systems.
Experienced actuaries may advance to senior management positions.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Mathematicians, statisticians and actuaries
2016 NOC: 2161
78.1% of people in this occupational group work in:
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the Alberta job market condition, or short-term demand forecast, for this occupation over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Salaries vary depending on the actuary’s qualifications, location, work experience, and type of employer.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources to supplement this data.
Lower Reliability, represents a CV of between 15.01% and 33.00% and/or if fewer than 20 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 33% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $32.43 | $47.62 | $38.19 | $38.01 |
| Overall | $32.69 | $52.31 | $41.09 | $40.00 |
| Top | $38.15 | $59.94 | $51.20 | $49.17 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $81,653 |
|---|---|
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $82,336 |
| Public Administration | $90,157 |
Canadian Institute of Actuaries (CIA) website: www.cia-ica.ca
CAS / SOA sponsored Be An Actuary website: www.beanactuary.org
Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) website: www.casact.org
CIA - Starting Your Journey website: www.cia-ica.ca/starting-your-journey/
Society of Actuaries (SOA) website: www.soa.org
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2025. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
