Actuary Pay

Cleburne vs Houston: Actuary Salary (2026)

Compare actuary salaries between Cleburne, TX and Houston, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Cleburne, TX
$128,033
$61.56/hr
Houston, TX
$84,283
$40.52/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleburne, TXHouston, TX
Median Salary$128,033$84,283
Hourly Rate$61.56$40.52
Entry Level (P10)$80,087$60,496
25th Percentile$97,036$60,496
75th Percentile$163,883$135,718
Top Earner (P90)$198,452$189,031
Total Employed7390
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleburne ($128,033) and Houston ($84,283) actuary salaries.CleburneHoustonMedian Salary$128,033$84,283Entry Level (P10)$80,087$60,496Top Earner (P90)$198,452$189,031US Median $134,160

Verdict

Cleburne, TX offers better overall compensation for actuaries, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Houston.

The salary gap between Cleburne and Houston is $43,750 (51.91%). Cleburne's median is -4.57% compared to the US national median of $134,160.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cleburne spans $118,365,Houston spans $128,535. Houston has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced actuarys.

Cleburne
P10 (Entry)$80,087
P25$97,036
Median$128,033
P75$163,883
P90 (Top)$198,452
Houston
P10 (Entry)$60,496
P25$60,496
Median$84,283
P75$135,718
P90 (Top)$189,031

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cleburne ($133,368 effective) pays 56.07% more than Houston ($85,455 effective).

Cleburne
Nominal: $128,033
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $133,368
Houston
Nominal: $84,283
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $85,455

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cleburne if…

  • Higher median salary ($128,033/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($198,452)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $133,368)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Houston if…

  • Larger job market (390 employed)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, actuary salaries in Cleburne grew 1.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -15.6% growth in Houston over the same period.

Cleburne, TX

+1.6%

$122,154 (2024) → $124,063 (2025)

Houston, TX

+-15.6%

$96,750 (2019) → $81,670 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays actuarys more: Cleburne or Houston?

Cleburne has a higher median actuary salary at $128,033/year, compared to Houston at $84,283/year — a difference of $43,750 (51.91%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleburne and Houston?

Cleburne actuarys earn $61.56/hr while Houston hygienists earn $40.52/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cleburne to Houston as a actuary?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleburne and Houston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleburne = $133,368, Houston = $85,455), job availability (7 vs 390 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level actuarys earn in Cleburne vs Houston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) actuarys earn $80,087 in Cleburne and $60,496 in Houston. The Cleburne area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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.

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