Actuary Pay

Jersey City vs Passaic: Actuary Salary (2026)

Compare actuary salaries between Jersey City, NJ and Passaic, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Jersey City, NJ
$169,486
$81.49/hr
Passaic, NJ
$151,275
$72.73/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricJersey City, NJPassaic, NJ
Median Salary$169,486$151,275
Hourly Rate$81.49$72.73
Entry Level (P10)$98,302$95,291
25th Percentile$122,030$115,430
75th Percentile$216,943$193,632
Top Earner (P90)$262,704$234,476
Total Employed4218
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Jersey City ($169,486) and Passaic ($151,275) actuary salaries.Jersey CityPassaicMedian Salary$169,486$151,275Entry Level (P10)$98,302$95,291Top Earner (P90)$262,704$234,476US Median $134,160

Verdict

Jersey City, NJ offers better overall compensation for actuaries, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Passaic.

The salary gap between Jersey City and Passaic is $18,211 (12.04%). Jersey City's median is +26.33% compared to the US national median of $134,160.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Jersey City spans $164,402,Passaic spans $139,185. Jersey City has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Jersey City
P10 (Entry)$98,302
P25$122,030
Median$169,486
P75$216,943
P90 (Top)$262,704
Passaic
P10 (Entry)$95,291
P25$115,430
Median$151,275
P75$193,632
P90 (Top)$234,476

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Jersey City ($147,123 effective) pays 12.04% more than Passaic ($131,315 effective).

Jersey City
Nominal: $169,486
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $147,123
Passaic
Nominal: $151,275
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $131,315

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Jersey City if…

  • Higher median salary ($169,486/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($262,704)
  • Larger job market (42 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $147,123)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Passaic if…

  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, actuary salaries in Jersey City grew -4.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -8.5% growth in Passaic over the same period.

Jersey City, NJ

+-4.2%

$171,383 (2024) → $164,231 (2025)

Passaic, NJ

+-8.5%

$160,115 (2024) → $146,584 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays actuarys more: Jersey City or Passaic?

Jersey City has a higher median actuary salary at $169,486/year, compared to Passaic at $151,275/year — a difference of $18,211 (12.04%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Jersey City and Passaic?

Jersey City actuarys earn $81.49/hr while Passaic hygienists earn $72.73/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Jersey City to Passaic as a actuary?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Jersey City and Passaic. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Jersey City = $147,123, Passaic = $131,315), job availability (42 vs 18 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level actuarys earn in Jersey City vs Passaic?

Entry-level (10th percentile) actuarys earn $98,302 in Jersey City and $95,291 in Passaic. The Jersey City area offers higher starting salaries.
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