Actuary Pay

Charlotte vs Salisbury: Actuary Salary (2026)

Compare actuary salaries between Charlotte, NC and Salisbury, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Charlotte, NC
$132,849
$63.87/hr
Salisbury, NC
$123,399
$59.33/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCharlotte, NCSalisbury, NC
Median Salary$132,849$123,399
Hourly Rate$63.87$59.33
Entry Level (P10)$75,212$74,795
25th Percentile$102,416$91,756
75th Percentile$164,429$156,731
Top Earner (P90)$219,455$191,269
Total Employed2806
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Charlotte ($132,849) and Salisbury ($123,399) actuary salaries.CharlotteSalisburyMedian Salary$132,849$123,399Entry Level (P10)$75,212$74,795Top Earner (P90)$219,455$191,269US Median $134,160

Verdict

Charlotte, NC offers better overall compensation for actuaries, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Salisbury.

The salary gap between Charlotte and Salisbury is $9,450 (7.66%). Charlotte's median is -0.98% compared to the US national median of $134,160.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Charlotte spans $144,243,Salisbury spans $116,474. Charlotte has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Charlotte
P10 (Entry)$75,212
P25$102,416
Median$132,849
P75$164,429
P90 (Top)$219,455
Salisbury
P10 (Entry)$74,795
P25$91,756
Median$123,399
P75$156,731
P90 (Top)$191,269

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Charlotte ($136,468 effective) pays 3.51% more than Salisbury ($131,837 effective).

Charlotte
Nominal: $132,849
CoL Index: 97.348
Adjusted: $136,468
Salisbury
Nominal: $123,399
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $131,837

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Charlotte if…

  • Higher median salary ($132,849/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($219,455)
  • Larger job market (280 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $136,468)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Salisbury if…

  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, actuary salaries in Charlotte grew -12.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 4.0% growth in Salisbury over the same period.

Charlotte, NC

+-12.9%

$147,800 (2019) → $128,730 (2025)

Salisbury, NC

+4.0%

$114,974 (2024) → $119,573 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays actuarys more: Charlotte or Salisbury?

Charlotte has a higher median actuary salary at $132,849/year, compared to Salisbury at $123,399/year — a difference of $9,450 (7.66%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Charlotte and Salisbury?

Charlotte actuarys earn $63.87/hr while Salisbury hygienists earn $59.33/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Charlotte to Salisbury as a actuary?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Charlotte and Salisbury. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Charlotte = $136,468, Salisbury = $131,837), job availability (280 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level actuarys earn in Charlotte vs Salisbury?

Entry-level (10th percentile) actuarys earn $75,212 in Charlotte and $74,795 in Salisbury. The Charlotte 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