Actuary Pay

Houston vs Temple: Actuary Salary (2026)

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

Houston, TX
$84,283
$40.52/hr
Temple, TX
$126,460
$60.80/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXTemple, TX
Median Salary$84,283$126,460
Hourly Rate$40.52$60.80
Entry Level (P10)$60,496$80,292
25th Percentile$60,496$96,969
75th Percentile$135,718$161,869
Top Earner (P90)$189,031$196,013
Total Employed39014
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($84,283) and Temple ($126,460) actuary salaries.HoustonTempleMedian Salary$84,283$126,460Entry Level (P10)$60,496$80,292Top Earner (P90)$189,031$196,013US Median $134,160

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Houston and Temple is $42,177 (50.04%). Temple's median is -5.74% 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,Temple spans $115,721. 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
Temple
P10 (Entry)$80,292
P25$96,969
Median$126,460
P75$161,869
P90 (Top)$196,013

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Temple ($131,729 effective) pays 54.15% more than Houston ($85,455 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $84,283
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $85,455
Temple
Nominal: $126,460
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $131,729

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 Temple if…

  • Higher median salary ($126,460/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($196,013)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $131,729)
  • 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 Temple over the same period.

Houston, TX

+-15.6%

$96,750 (2019) → $81,670 (2025)

Temple, TX

+1.6%

$120,654 (2024) → $122,539 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays actuarys more: Houston or Temple?

Temple has a higher median actuary salary at $126,460/year, compared to Houston at $84,283/year — a difference of $42,177 (50.04%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and Temple?

Houston actuarys earn $40.52/hr while Temple hygienists earn $60.80/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Houston to Temple as a actuary?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and Temple. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $85,455, Temple = $131,729), job availability (390 vs 14 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) actuarys earn $60,496 in Houston and $80,292 in Temple. The Temple 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