Actuary Pay

Poughkeepsie vs Syracuse: Actuary Salary (2026)

Compare actuary salaries between Poughkeepsie, NY and Syracuse, NY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Poughkeepsie, NY
$153,150
$73.63/hr
Syracuse, NY
$104,676
$50.33/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPoughkeepsie, NYSyracuse, NY
Median Salary$153,150$104,676
Hourly Rate$73.63$50.33
Entry Level (P10)$92,929$53,540
25th Percentile$114,311$65,553
75th Percentile$196,031$165,192
Top Earner (P90)$237,383$216,379
Total Employed5110
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Poughkeepsie ($153,150) and Syracuse ($104,676) actuary salaries.PoughkeepsieSyracuseMedian Salary$153,150$104,676Entry Level (P10)$92,929$53,540Top Earner (P90)$237,383$216,379US Median $134,160

Verdict

Poughkeepsie, NY offers better overall compensation for actuaries, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Syracuse.

The salary gap between Poughkeepsie and Syracuse is $48,474 (46.31%). Poughkeepsie's median is +14.15% compared to the US national median of $134,160.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Poughkeepsie spans $144,454,Syracuse spans $162,839. Syracuse has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced actuarys.

Poughkeepsie
P10 (Entry)$92,929
P25$114,311
Median$153,150
P75$196,031
P90 (Top)$237,383
Syracuse
P10 (Entry)$53,540
P25$65,553
Median$104,676
P75$165,192
P90 (Top)$216,379

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Poughkeepsie ($132,140 effective) pays 20.86% more than Syracuse ($109,331 effective).

Poughkeepsie
Nominal: $153,150
CoL Index: 115.9
Adjusted: $132,140
Syracuse
Nominal: $104,676
CoL Index: 95.742
Adjusted: $109,331

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Poughkeepsie if…

  • Higher median salary ($153,150/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($237,383)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $132,140)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Choose Syracuse if…

  • Larger job market (110 employed)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, actuary salaries in Poughkeepsie grew -14.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -0.7% growth in Syracuse over the same period.

Poughkeepsie, NY

+-14.5%

$173,515 (2024) → $148,401 (2025)

Syracuse, NY

+-0.7%

$102,140 (2019) → $101,430 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays actuarys more: Poughkeepsie or Syracuse?

Poughkeepsie has a higher median actuary salary at $153,150/year, compared to Syracuse at $104,676/year — a difference of $48,474 (46.31%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Poughkeepsie and Syracuse?

Poughkeepsie actuarys earn $73.63/hr while Syracuse hygienists earn $50.33/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Poughkeepsie to Syracuse as a actuary?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Poughkeepsie and Syracuse. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Poughkeepsie = $132,140, Syracuse = $109,331), job availability (5 vs 110 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level actuarys earn in Poughkeepsie vs Syracuse?

Entry-level (10th percentile) actuarys earn $92,929 in Poughkeepsie and $53,540 in Syracuse. The Poughkeepsie 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