Actuary Pay

Baltimore vs Ellicott City: Actuary Salary (2026)

Compare actuary salaries between Baltimore, MD and Ellicott City, MD. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Baltimore, MD
$131,012
$62.99/hr
Ellicott City, MD
$147,266
$70.81/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBaltimore, MDEllicott City, MD
Median Salary$131,012$147,266
Hourly Rate$62.99$70.81
Entry Level (P10)$79,123$87,054
25th Percentile$100,383$108,088
75th Percentile$164,263$188,501
Top Earner (P90)$191,147$228,263
Total Employed34015
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Baltimore ($131,012) and Ellicott City ($147,266) actuary salaries.BaltimoreEllicott CityMedian Salary$131,012$147,266Entry Level (P10)$79,123$87,054Top Earner (P90)$191,147$228,263US Median $134,160

Verdict

Ellicott City, MD offers better overall compensation for actuaries, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Baltimore.

The salary gap between Baltimore and Ellicott City is $16,254 (12.41%). Ellicott City's median is +9.77% compared to the US national median of $134,160.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Baltimore spans $112,024,Ellicott City spans $141,209. Ellicott City has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced actuarys.

Baltimore
P10 (Entry)$79,123
P25$100,383
Median$131,012
P75$164,263
P90 (Top)$191,147
Ellicott City
P10 (Entry)$87,054
P25$108,088
Median$147,266
P75$188,501
P90 (Top)$228,263

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Ellicott City ($134,736 effective) pays 7.46% more than Baltimore ($125,386 effective).

Baltimore
Nominal: $131,012
CoL Index: 104.487
Adjusted: $125,386
Ellicott City
Nominal: $147,266
CoL Index: 109.3
Adjusted: $134,736

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Baltimore if…

  • Larger job market (340 employed)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Choose Ellicott City if…

  • Higher median salary ($147,266/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($228,263)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $134,736)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, actuary salaries in Baltimore grew 15.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 0.0% growth in Ellicott City over the same period.

Baltimore, MD

+15.5%

$109,910 (2019) → $126,950 (2025)

Ellicott City, MD

+0.0%

$142,700 (2024) → $142,700 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays actuarys more: Baltimore or Ellicott City?

Ellicott City has a higher median actuary salary at $147,266/year, compared to Baltimore at $131,012/year — a difference of $16,254 (12.41%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Baltimore and Ellicott City?

Baltimore actuarys earn $62.99/hr while Ellicott City hygienists earn $70.81/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Baltimore to Ellicott City as a actuary?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Baltimore and Ellicott City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Baltimore = $125,386, Ellicott City = $134,736), job availability (340 vs 15 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level actuarys earn in Baltimore vs Ellicott City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) actuarys earn $79,123 in Baltimore and $87,054 in Ellicott City. The Ellicott City area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

MC

Written by Maria Chen, FSA, MAAA

Career Analyst

Maria has 10 years of experience in life insurance. She specializes in risk assessment and pricing strategies.

Clinically reviewed by David Patel, ASA, MAAAData verified by Aisha Khan, FSA, CERA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.20% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Maria Chen, FSA, MAAA, a licensed actuary with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov