Actuary Pay

Natchitoches vs New Orleans: Actuary Salary (2026)

Compare actuary salaries between Natchitoches, LA and New Orleans, LA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Natchitoches, LA
$102,417
$49.24/hr
New Orleans, LA
$112,975
$54.31/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNatchitoches, LANew Orleans, LA
Median Salary$102,417$112,975
Hourly Rate$49.24$54.31
Entry Level (P10)$69,135$66,578
25th Percentile$81,294$83,207
75th Percentile$127,892$144,608
Top Earner (P90)$158,746$175,112
Total Employed680
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Natchitoches ($102,417) and New Orleans ($112,975) actuary salaries.NatchitochesNew OrleansMedian Salary$102,417$112,975Entry Level (P10)$69,135$66,578Top Earner (P90)$158,746$175,112US Median $134,160

Verdict

New Orleans, LA offers better overall compensation for actuaries, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Natchitoches.

The salary gap between Natchitoches and New Orleans is $10,558 (10.31%). New Orleans's median is -15.79% compared to the US national median of $134,160.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Natchitoches spans $89,611,New Orleans spans $108,534. New Orleans has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced actuarys.

Natchitoches
P10 (Entry)$69,135
P25$81,294
Median$102,417
P75$127,892
P90 (Top)$158,746
New Orleans
P10 (Entry)$66,578
P25$83,207
Median$112,975
P75$144,608
P90 (Top)$175,112

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, New Orleans ($125,111 effective) pays 10.31% more than Natchitoches ($113,419 effective).

Natchitoches
Nominal: $102,417
CoL Index: 90.3
Adjusted: $113,419
New Orleans
Nominal: $112,975
CoL Index: 90.3
Adjusted: $125,111

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Natchitoches if…

  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Choose New Orleans if…

  • Higher median salary ($112,975/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($175,112)
  • Larger job market (80 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $125,111)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, actuary salaries in Natchitoches grew 6.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 25.5% growth in New Orleans over the same period.

Natchitoches, LA

+6.9%

$92,821 (2024) → $99,241 (2025)

New Orleans, LA

+25.5%

$87,210 (2023) → $109,472 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays actuarys more: Natchitoches or New Orleans?

New Orleans has a higher median actuary salary at $112,975/year, compared to Natchitoches at $102,417/year — a difference of $10,558 (10.31%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Natchitoches and New Orleans?

Natchitoches actuarys earn $49.24/hr while New Orleans hygienists earn $54.31/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Natchitoches to New Orleans as a actuary?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Natchitoches and New Orleans. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Natchitoches = $113,419, New Orleans = $125,111), job availability (6 vs 80 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level actuarys earn in Natchitoches vs New Orleans?

Entry-level (10th percentile) actuarys earn $69,135 in Natchitoches and $66,578 in New Orleans. The Natchitoches 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