Actuary Pay

Houston vs Little Elm: Actuary Salary (2026)

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

Houston, TX
$84,283
$40.52/hr
Little Elm, TX
$124,975
$60.08/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXLittle Elm, TX
Median Salary$84,283$124,975
Hourly Rate$40.52$60.08
Entry Level (P10)$60,496$73,260
25th Percentile$60,496$98,605
75th Percentile$135,718$159,453
Top Earner (P90)$189,031$193,712
Total Employed39012
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($84,283) and Little Elm ($124,975) actuary salaries.HoustonLittle ElmMedian Salary$84,283$124,975Entry Level (P10)$60,496$73,260Top Earner (P90)$189,031$193,712US Median $134,160

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Houston and Little Elm is $40,692 (48.28%). Little Elm's median is -6.85% compared to the US national median of $134,160.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Houston spans $128,535,Little Elm spans $120,452. Houston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Houston
P10 (Entry)$60,496
P25$60,496
Median$84,283
P75$135,718
P90 (Top)$189,031
Little Elm
P10 (Entry)$73,260
P25$98,605
Median$124,975
P75$159,453
P90 (Top)$193,712

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Little Elm ($130,182 effective) pays 52.34% more than Houston ($85,455 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $84,283
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $85,455
Little Elm
Nominal: $124,975
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $130,182

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Houston if…

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

Choose Little Elm if…

  • Higher median salary ($124,975/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($193,712)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $130,182)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, actuary salaries in Houston grew -15.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 1.6% growth in Little Elm over the same period.

Houston, TX

+-15.6%

$96,750 (2019) → $81,670 (2025)

Little Elm, TX

+1.6%

$119,237 (2024) → $121,100 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays actuarys more: Houston or Little Elm?

Little Elm has a higher median actuary salary at $124,975/year, compared to Houston at $84,283/year — a difference of $40,692 (48.28%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and Little Elm?

Houston actuarys earn $40.52/hr while Little Elm hygienists earn $60.08/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Houston to Little Elm as a actuary?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and Little Elm. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $85,455, Little Elm = $130,182), job availability (390 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level actuarys earn in Houston vs Little Elm?

Entry-level (10th percentile) actuarys earn $60,496 in Houston and $73,260 in Little Elm. The Little Elm area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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