Actuary Salaries & Wage Percentiles
Data updated · Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025 · Methodology
Analyze statistical data, such as mortality, accident, and sickness rates and construct probability tables to forecast risk and liability.
National Wage Percentile Spectrum
Empirical distribution from entry-level apprentice (10th percentile) to senior principal / master tier (90th percentile).
Nationwide State Salary Rankings
State-by-state empirical labor compensation benchmarked against local cost of living and purchasing power.
| Rank | State | Median Salary | Hourly Rate | CoL Adjusted Real Wage | Total Employed | Top Metro in State | CoL Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Nevada NV | $163,350 | $78.54/hr | $146,109 | 80 | Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | 111.8 |
| #2 | Connecticut CT | $161,345 | $77.57/hr | $126,545 | 1,250 | Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | 127.5 |
| #3 | District of Columbia DC | $144,680 | $69.56/hr | $91,050 | 520 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 158.9 |
| #4 | Arizona AZ | $138,570 | $66.62/hr | $111,033 | 170 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | 124.8 |
| #5 | Maine ME | $138,220 | $66.45/hr | $105,915 | 50 | Portland-South Portland, ME | 130.5 |
| #6 | North Carolina NC | $135,455 | $65.13/hr | $99,089 | 400 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | 136.7 |
| #7 | Washington WA | $134,720 | $64.77/hr | $84,836 | 230 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 158.8 |
| #8 | South Carolina SC | $133,060 | $63.97/hr | $121,738 | 80 | Columbia, SC | 109.3 |
Top Metropolitan Areas for Maximum Earnings
High-yield metros commanding premier compensation, rent affordability, and living wage coverage.
Career Ladder & Progression Stages
Typical milestones from entry level to senior roles.
Passing SOA/CAS preliminary exams (P, FM), statistical modeling, Excel/R
Pricing models, reserving analysis, actuarial valuation tables
Product development, statutory asset-liability management (ALM)
Institutional solvency governance, reinsurance negotiation, pricing oversight
Skill-Adjacent Career Opportunities
Direct lateral transitions capitalizing on shared occupational competencies and BLS wage differentials.
Actuary: Career Ladder, Industry Hub & Regional Parity
Navigate parent industry benchmarks, lateral career progressions, and cross-pillar living cost calculators.
Data Analytics Directory
Compare wage percentiles, required certifications, and senior salary caps across all Data Analytics occupations.
Living Cost & Tax Parity
Occupational Labor Economics & Frequently Asked Questions
Explore national wage percentiles (10th to 90th), top-paying metropolitan areas, and career ladder progression for Actuary. Official 2026 economic data for Actuary compiled from Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS surveys, HUD Fair Market Rents, and statutory tax codes.
Quick answers
National compensation benchmarks for Actuary range across the 10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentiles based on BLS OEWS labor market statistics.
Actuary: Where the Pay Is Highest
The national median for Actuary is $130,000 per year ($62.50/hour). BLS OEWS publishes this occupation in 72 metropolitan areas, where median pay ranges from $99,710 in Green Bay, WI to $194,130 in Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT.
Top-paying metropolitan areas for Actuary
| Metropolitan area | Median annual wage | Vs national |
|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $194,130 | +49.3% |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $175,330 | +34.9% |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $166,800 | +28.3% |
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | $163,350 | +25.7% |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $161,460 | +24.2% |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $144,680 | +11.3% |
| Waterbury-Shelton, CT | $143,430 | +10.3% |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $142,180 | +9.4% |
| New Haven, CT | $141,020 | +8.5% |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $139,810 | +7.5% |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $138,570 | +6.6% |
| Portland-South Portland, ME | $138,220 | +6.3% |