Actuary Pay

Radford vs Richmond: Actuary Salary (2026)

Compare actuary salaries between Radford, VA and Richmond, VA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Radford, VA
$132,421
$63.66/hr
Richmond, VA
$136,121
$65.45/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRadford, VARichmond, VA
Median Salary$132,421$136,121
Hourly Rate$63.66$65.45
Entry Level (P10)$83,384$96,740
25th Percentile$105,949$103,602
75th Percentile$166,148$170,053
Top Earner (P90)$201,189$219,548
Total Employed6120
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Radford ($132,421) and Richmond ($136,121) actuary salaries.RadfordRichmondMedian Salary$132,421$136,121Entry Level (P10)$83,384$96,740Top Earner (P90)$201,189$219,548US Median $134,160

Verdict

Richmond, VA offers better overall compensation for actuaries, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Radford.

The salary gap between Radford and Richmond is $3,700 (2.79%). Richmond's median is +1.46% compared to the US national median of $134,160.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Radford spans $117,805,Richmond spans $122,808. Richmond has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced actuarys.

Radford
P10 (Entry)$83,384
P25$105,949
Median$132,421
P75$166,148
P90 (Top)$201,189
Richmond
P10 (Entry)$96,740
P25$103,602
Median$136,121
P75$170,053
P90 (Top)$219,548

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Richmond ($139,101 effective) pays 8.41% more than Radford ($128,315 effective).

Radford
Nominal: $132,421
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $128,315
Richmond
Nominal: $136,121
CoL Index: 97.858
Adjusted: $139,101

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Radford if…

  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Richmond if…

  • Higher median salary ($136,121/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($219,548)
  • Larger job market (120 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $139,101)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, actuary salaries in Radford grew 1.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -4.2% growth in Richmond over the same period.

Radford, VA

+1.6%

$126,341 (2024) → $128,315 (2025)

Richmond, VA

+-4.2%

$137,720 (2019) → $131,900 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays actuarys more: Radford or Richmond?

Richmond has a higher median actuary salary at $136,121/year, compared to Radford at $132,421/year — a difference of $3,700 (2.79%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Radford and Richmond?

Radford actuarys earn $63.66/hr while Richmond hygienists earn $65.45/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Radford to Richmond as a actuary?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Radford and Richmond. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Radford = $128,315, Richmond = $139,101), job availability (6 vs 120 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level actuarys earn in Radford vs Richmond?

Entry-level (10th percentile) actuarys earn $83,384 in Radford and $96,740 in Richmond. The Richmond 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