Actuary Salary Details. An April 2013 CNN Money article indicated that the typical starting pay for an actuary is $45,000 to $55,000.This amount is supported by the Purdue University overview of an actuarial job.CNN noted that you quickly can increase your salary to nearly $90,000 after passing several initial financial certification exams.his amount is supported by the Purdue University overview of an actuarial job. CNN noted that you quickly can increase your salary to nearly $90,000 after passing several initial financial certification exams.