Houston vs Waco: Actuary Salary (2026)
Compare actuary salaries between Houston, TX and Waco, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | Waco, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $84,283 | $129,483▲ |
| Hourly Rate | $40.52 | $62.25▲ |
| Entry Level (P10) | $60,496 | $77,625▲ |
| 25th Percentile | $60,496 | $96,056▲ |
| 75th Percentile | $135,718 | $165,738▲ |
| Top Earner (P90) | $189,031 | $200,698▲ |
| Total Employed | 390▲ | 22 |
Verdict
Waco, TX offers better overall compensation for actuaries, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Houston.
The salary gap between Houston and Waco is $45,200 (53.63%). Waco's median is -3.49% 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,Waco spans $123,073. Houston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, Waco ($134,878 effective) pays 57.84% more than Houston ($85,455 effective).
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 Waco if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($129,483/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($200,698)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $134,878)
- ✓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 Waco over the same period.
Houston, TX
$96,750 (2019) → $81,670 (2025)
Waco, TX
$123,538 (2024) → $125,468 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Houston, TX
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
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