Actuary Pay

Charlottesville vs Norfolk: Actuary Salary (2026)

Compare actuary salaries between Charlottesville, VA and Norfolk, VA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Charlottesville, VA
$132,704
$63.80/hr
Norfolk, VA
$106,300
$51.10/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCharlottesville, VANorfolk, VA
Median Salary$132,704$106,300
Hourly Rate$63.80$51.10
Entry Level (P10)$86,055$61,654
25th Percentile$102,723$76,536
75th Percentile$169,861$136,064
Top Earner (P90)$205,691$164,765
Total Employed1054
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Charlottesville ($132,704) and Norfolk ($106,300) actuary salaries.CharlottesvilleNorfolkMedian Salary$132,704$106,300Entry Level (P10)$86,055$61,654Top Earner (P90)$205,691$164,765US Median $134,160

Verdict

Charlottesville, VA offers better overall compensation for actuaries, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Norfolk.

The salary gap between Charlottesville and Norfolk is $26,404 (24.84%). Charlottesville's median is -1.09% compared to the US national median of $134,160.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Charlottesville spans $119,636,Norfolk spans $103,111. Charlottesville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Charlottesville
P10 (Entry)$86,055
P25$102,723
Median$132,704
P75$169,861
P90 (Top)$205,691
Norfolk
P10 (Entry)$61,654
P25$76,536
Median$106,300
P75$136,064
P90 (Top)$164,765

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Charlottesville ($128,589 effective) pays 24.84% more than Norfolk ($103,004 effective).

Charlottesville
Nominal: $132,704
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $128,589
Norfolk
Nominal: $106,300
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $103,004

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Charlottesville if…

  • Higher median salary ($132,704/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($205,691)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $128,589)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Norfolk if…

  • Larger job market (54 employed)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, actuary salaries in Charlottesville grew 1.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -25.4% growth in Norfolk over the same period.

Charlottesville, VA

+1.6%

$126,611 (2024) → $128,589 (2025)

Norfolk, VA

+-25.4%

$138,089 (2024) → $103,004 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays actuarys more: Charlottesville or Norfolk?

Charlottesville has a higher median actuary salary at $132,704/year, compared to Norfolk at $106,300/year — a difference of $26,404 (24.84%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Charlottesville and Norfolk?

Charlottesville actuarys earn $63.80/hr while Norfolk hygienists earn $51.10/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Charlottesville to Norfolk as a actuary?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Charlottesville and Norfolk. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Charlottesville = $128,589, Norfolk = $103,004), job availability (10 vs 54 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level actuarys earn in Charlottesville vs Norfolk?

Entry-level (10th percentile) actuarys earn $86,055 in Charlottesville and $61,654 in Norfolk. The Charlottesville 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