1. At the entry level, you can’t really work part time. Telecommuting depends on the company, but 99.9% of employers wouldn’t allow it at first. As for the hours, it depends on what kind of work you’re doing. If you’re consulting, it’s all about billable hours, and the hours will be long. If you work for an insurance or pension firm, it should be the standard 9 to 5.
2. As a man, I can’t answer this one.
3. Finishing the exams can take as long as you make it take. If you pass each one on the first attempt (highly unlikely!), you can be done in a few years. I know people who finished at 25-26 years old, and I know people who finished at 40. Be aware that you will need to spend hundreds of hours studying at home, which will interfere with family life.
Getting an ASA or ACAS (depending on what track you take) is ok for now, but might not be later on. The SOA and CAS are discussing getting rid of the Associate level.
4. Starting can be in the mid-50k range. Passing exams gets you raises (standard is usually about 2k per exam). With 5 years of experience and a number of exams passed, it’s not unusual to be making in the 70k area.
5. Entry level jobs are not easy to find. There are many candidates, and not many openings. It used to be that a degree and one exam passed would get you multiple job offers. Not anymore. You need 2 or 3 exams now.
There is a frum Jewish woman named Pauline Reimer who is probably the best actuarial recruiter out there. She has helped thousands of actuaries find jobs. You can find her info via Google. When you’re ready to look for a job, I highly recommend contacting her.