Actuary Pay

Dallas vs Harlingen: Actuary Salary (2026)

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

Dallas, TX
$131,776
$63.35/hr
Harlingen, TX
$129,775
$62.39/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDallas, TXHarlingen, TX
Median Salary$131,776$129,775
Hourly Rate$63.35$62.39
Entry Level (P10)$78,865$77,412
25th Percentile$92,591$100,719
75th Percentile$163,974$166,112
Top Earner (P90)$198,753$201,151
Total Employed51014
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dallas ($131,776) and Harlingen ($129,775) actuary salaries.DallasHarlingenMedian Salary$131,776$129,775Entry Level (P10)$78,865$77,412Top Earner (P90)$198,753$201,151US Median $134,160

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Dallas and Harlingen is $2,001 (1.54%). Dallas's median is -1.78% compared to the US national median of $134,160.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Dallas spans $119,888,Harlingen spans $123,739. Harlingen has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced actuarys.

Dallas
P10 (Entry)$78,865
P25$92,591
Median$131,776
P75$163,974
P90 (Top)$198,753
Harlingen
P10 (Entry)$77,412
P25$100,719
Median$129,775
P75$166,112
P90 (Top)$201,151

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Harlingen ($135,182 effective) pays 5.75% more than Dallas ($127,826 effective).

Dallas
Nominal: $131,776
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $127,826
Harlingen
Nominal: $129,775
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $135,182

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Dallas if…

  • Higher median salary ($131,776/year)
  • Larger job market (510 employed)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Harlingen if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($201,151)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $135,182)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, actuary salaries in Dallas grew 21.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 1.6% growth in Harlingen over the same period.

Dallas, TX

+21.0%

$105,500 (2019) → $127,690 (2025)

Harlingen, TX

+1.6%

$123,817 (2024) → $125,751 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays actuarys more: Dallas or Harlingen?

Dallas has a higher median actuary salary at $131,776/year, compared to Harlingen at $129,775/year — a difference of $2,001 (1.54%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dallas and Harlingen?

Dallas actuarys earn $63.35/hr while Harlingen hygienists earn $62.39/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Dallas to Harlingen as a actuary?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dallas and Harlingen. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dallas = $127,826, Harlingen = $135,182), job availability (510 vs 14 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level actuarys earn in Dallas vs Harlingen?

Entry-level (10th percentile) actuarys earn $78,865 in Dallas and $77,412 in Harlingen. The Dallas 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