Chesapeake vs Newport News: Actuary Salary (2026)
Compare actuary salaries between Chesapeake, VA and Newport News, VA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Newport News, VA |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $105,144 | $139,529▲ |
| Hourly Rate | $50.55 | $67.08▲ |
| Entry Level (P10) | $60,984 | $87,604▲ |
| 25th Percentile | $80,168 | $106,931▲ |
| 75th Percentile | $134,585 | $178,598▲ |
| Top Earner (P90) | $162,973 | $216,271▲ |
| Total Employed | 63▲ | 39 |
Verdict
Newport News, VA offers better overall compensation for actuaries, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Chesapeake.
The salary gap between Chesapeake and Newport News is $34,385 (32.70%). Newport News's median is +4.00% compared to the US national median of $134,160.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Chesapeake spans $101,989,Newport News spans $128,667. Newport News has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced actuarys.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, Newport News ($135,203 effective) pays 32.70% more than Chesapeake ($101,884 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Chesapeake if…
- ✓Larger job market (63 employed)
- ✓You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle
Choose Newport News if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($139,529/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($216,271)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $135,203)
- ✓You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, actuary salaries in Chesapeake grew -25.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 1.6% growth in Newport News over the same period.
Chesapeake, VA
$136,587 (2024) → $101,884 (2025)
Newport News, VA
$133,123 (2024) → $135,203 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Chesapeake, VA
Newport News, VA
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
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