Actuary Pay

Birmingham vs Vestavia Hills: Actuary Salary (2026)

Compare actuary salaries between Birmingham, AL and Vestavia Hills, AL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Birmingham, AL
$137,091
$65.90/hr
Vestavia Hills, AL
$113,212
$54.43/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBirmingham, ALVestavia Hills, AL
Median Salary$137,091$113,212
Hourly Rate$65.90$54.43
Entry Level (P10)$73,520$70,308
25th Percentile$85,274$85,340
75th Percentile$164,480$144,912
Top Earner (P90)$168,670$175,479
Total Employed1308
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Birmingham ($137,091) and Vestavia Hills ($113,212) actuary salaries.BirminghamVestavia HillsMedian Salary$137,091$113,212Entry Level (P10)$73,520$70,308Top Earner (P90)$168,670$175,479US Median $134,160

Verdict

Birmingham, AL offers better overall compensation for actuaries, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Vestavia Hills.

The salary gap between Birmingham and Vestavia Hills is $23,879 (21.09%). Birmingham's median is +2.18% compared to the US national median of $134,160.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Birmingham spans $95,150,Vestavia Hills spans $105,171. Vestavia Hills has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced actuarys.

Birmingham
P10 (Entry)$73,520
P25$85,274
Median$137,091
P75$164,480
P90 (Top)$168,670
Vestavia Hills
P10 (Entry)$70,308
P25$85,340
Median$113,212
P75$144,912
P90 (Top)$175,479

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Birmingham ($149,591 effective) pays 16.15% more than Vestavia Hills ($128,796 effective).

Birmingham
Nominal: $137,091
CoL Index: 91.644
Adjusted: $149,591
Vestavia Hills
Nominal: $113,212
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $128,796

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Birmingham if…

  • Higher median salary ($137,091/year)
  • Larger job market (130 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $149,591)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Vestavia Hills if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($175,479)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, actuary salaries in Birmingham grew 25.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 20.4% growth in Vestavia Hills over the same period.

Birmingham, AL

+25.1%

$106,180 (2019) → $132,840 (2025)

Vestavia Hills, AL

+20.4%

$91,137 (2024) → $109,702 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays actuarys more: Birmingham or Vestavia Hills?

Birmingham has a higher median actuary salary at $137,091/year, compared to Vestavia Hills at $113,212/year — a difference of $23,879 (21.09%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Birmingham and Vestavia Hills?

Birmingham actuarys earn $65.90/hr while Vestavia Hills hygienists earn $54.43/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Birmingham to Vestavia Hills as a actuary?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Birmingham and Vestavia Hills. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Birmingham = $149,591, Vestavia Hills = $128,796), job availability (130 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level actuarys earn in Birmingham vs Vestavia Hills?

Entry-level (10th percentile) actuarys earn $73,520 in Birmingham and $70,308 in Vestavia Hills. The Birmingham area offers higher starting salaries.
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