Actuary Hourly Pay in Amherst, MA: $69.35 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a actuary working in Amherst, MA runs $69.35 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $144,241 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Weighted against Amherst's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.5, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $63.92 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $86,549 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Amherst, Massachusetts, the actuary hourly pay stands at a robust $69.35, which reflects a notable increase compared to the national hourly median of $64.50. This rate positions local actuaries favorably, especially considering those who might opt for part-time roles or per-diem work within various professional settings, such as insurance company pricing departments or consulting firms. For example, an actuary working three days a week could anticipate earning approximately $61,920 annually, thus highlighting the attractive earning potential for part-time professionals. The hourly pay range in Amherst stretches from $40.99 for entry-level positions to an impressive $107.48 for seasoned professionals, allowing for varied earnings based on experience and specialization, with these figures derived from annual salary estimates.
About the Amherst Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Actuary Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.99 | $327.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54.96 | $439.71 |
| Median (P50) | $69.35 | $554.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $88.72 | $709.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107.48 | $859.86 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Amherst
Based on $69.35/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $69.35/hr, a actuary working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Amherst, MA can expect to earn approximately $144,249 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $83,220. With a cost-of-living index of 108.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Amherst.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Amherst
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,774.02 | $12,021 | $144,249 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,664.41 | $7,212 | $86,549 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,109.61 | $4,808 | $57,700 |
Compare ASA, FSA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Actuary (Amherst) | $69.35 |
| Statistician (National Avg) | $51.53 |
| Mathematician (National Avg) | $56.16 |
| Financial Analyst (National Avg) | $47.61 |
| Data Scientist (National Avg) | $54.40 |
Actuarys in Amherst, MA earn a median of $144,241 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.51% higher than the national median of $134,160 and 0.90% below the Massachusetts state average of $145,551.
Actuary Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $69.35/hr = $86,549/year (purchasing power: $79,769).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $144,249/year (purchasing power: $132,948).
CoL index: 108.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$56.01/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$67.20/hr
2026 Current Est.
$69.35/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Actuaries in Amherst (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56.01/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $57.39/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $54.74/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $58.92/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $62.03/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $73.40/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $67.20/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69.35/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71.57/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for actuaries in Amherst grew 20.0% from $56.01/hr (2019) to $67.20/hr (2025). At a 3.20% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $71.57/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem actuaries can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Amherst metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.20% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Actuary in Amherst
When assessing the earning potential for actuaries in a part-time capacity, it’s evident that a 24-hour work week yields significant compensation, albeit less than full-time roles. Many actuaries may pursue per-diem contracts, which are not as common for junior-level positions but increase considerably for those holding advanced credentials like Fellow of the Society of Actuaries (FSA) or Fellow of the Casualty Actuarial Society (FCAS). Engagements in consulting roles can command billing rates between $250 and $500 per hour, while expert witness positions often net $400 to $800 per hour. Actuaries employed by varied sectors—such as life insurance companies (Prudential, MetLife) or health insurers (Cigna, UnitedHealth)—present different hourly rates. Those accepting positions with lower remuneration may balance this with benefits like health insurance, emphasizing the trade-offs in the actuarial field. Professionals should hone their negotiation skills to ensure favorable hourly rates in the competitive MA job market.
More salary data for Amherst, MA:
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for actuaries in Amherst. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Amherst is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.20%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for actuarys (SOC 15-2011).
Compiled and verified by Maria Chen, FSA, MAAA, a licensed actuary with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov