Actuary Pay

Harrisburg vs Williamsport: Actuary Salary (2026)

Compare actuary salaries between Harrisburg, PA and Williamsport, PA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Harrisburg, PA
$110,011
$52.89/hr
Williamsport, PA
$129,444
$62.23/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHarrisburg, PAWilliamsport, PA
Median Salary$110,011$129,444
Hourly Rate$52.89$62.23
Entry Level (P10)$74,273$80,337
25th Percentile$83,055$97,537
75th Percentile$143,995$165,559
Top Earner (P90)$167,287$200,638
Total Employed1206
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Harrisburg ($110,011) and Williamsport ($129,444) actuary salaries.HarrisburgWilliamsportMedian Salary$110,011$129,444Entry Level (P10)$74,273$80,337Top Earner (P90)$167,287$200,638US Median $134,160

Verdict

Williamsport, PA offers better overall compensation for actuaries, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Harrisburg.

The salary gap between Harrisburg and Williamsport is $19,433 (17.66%). Williamsport's median is -3.52% compared to the US national median of $134,160.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Harrisburg spans $93,014,Williamsport spans $120,301. Williamsport has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced actuarys.

Harrisburg
P10 (Entry)$74,273
P25$83,055
Median$110,011
P75$143,995
P90 (Top)$167,287
Williamsport
P10 (Entry)$80,337
P25$97,537
Median$129,444
P75$165,559
P90 (Top)$200,638

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Williamsport ($132,899 effective) pays 19.17% more than Harrisburg ($111,516 effective).

Harrisburg
Nominal: $110,011
CoL Index: 98.65
Adjusted: $111,516
Williamsport
Nominal: $129,444
CoL Index: 97.4
Adjusted: $132,899

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Harrisburg if…

  • Larger job market (120 employed)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Choose Williamsport if…

  • Higher median salary ($129,444/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($200,638)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $132,899)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, actuary salaries in Harrisburg grew -5.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 1.6% growth in Williamsport over the same period.

Harrisburg, PA

+-5.5%

$112,750 (2019) → $106,600 (2025)

Williamsport, PA

+1.6%

$123,500 (2024) → $125,430 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays actuarys more: Harrisburg or Williamsport?

Williamsport has a higher median actuary salary at $129,444/year, compared to Harrisburg at $110,011/year — a difference of $19,433 (17.66%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Harrisburg and Williamsport?

Harrisburg actuarys earn $52.89/hr while Williamsport hygienists earn $62.23/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Harrisburg to Williamsport as a actuary?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Harrisburg and Williamsport. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Harrisburg = $111,516, Williamsport = $132,899), job availability (120 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level actuarys earn in Harrisburg vs Williamsport?

Entry-level (10th percentile) actuarys earn $74,273 in Harrisburg and $80,337 in Williamsport. The Williamsport 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