Actuary Hourly Pay in Cambridge, MA: $62.76 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a actuary working in Cambridge, MA runs $62.76 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $130,543 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Weighted against Cambridge's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.5, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $57.84 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $78,319 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cambridge, Massachusetts, actuaries earn a median hourly rate of $62.76, which is slightly below the national median of $64.50. This rate provides a competitive wage for professionals in part-time positions, such as those working three days a week, or for per-diem roles in various settings like insurance company actuarial departments, consulting firms, or even remote modeling work. The hourly rate showcases a broad range, with entry-level actuaries earning approximately $36.40, while those in top-performing roles can command up to $97.28 per hour. These figures are based on projected data for 2026 derived from 2025 BLS estimates, reflecting the expected growth trajectory for this profession.
About the Cambridge 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) | $36.40 | $291.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45.19 | $361.53 |
| Median (P50) | $62.76 | $502.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80.33 | $642.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97.28 | $778.21 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cambridge
Based on $62.76/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $62.76/hr, a actuary working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cambridge, MA can expect to earn approximately $130,532 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $75,307. With a cost-of-living index of 108.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Cambridge.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cambridge
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,510.24 | $10,878 | $130,532 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,506.14 | $6,527 | $78,319 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,004.09 | $4,351 | $52,213 |
Compare ASA, FSA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Actuary (Cambridge) | $62.76 |
| Statistician (National Avg) | $51.53 |
| Mathematician (National Avg) | $56.16 |
| Financial Analyst (National Avg) | $47.61 |
| Data Scientist (National Avg) | $54.40 |
Actuarys in Cambridge, MA earn a median of $130,543 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.70% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 10.30% below the Massachusetts state average of $145,533.
Actuary Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $62.76/hr = $78,319/year (purchasing power: $72,184).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $130,532/year (purchasing power: $120,306).
CoL index: 108.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$50.68/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$60.81/hr
2026 Current Est.
$62.76/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Actuaries in Cambridge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50.68/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $51.94/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $49.54/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $53.32/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $56.13/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $73.03/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $60.81/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62.76/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64.76/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for actuaries in Cambridge grew 20.0% from $50.68/hr (2019) to $60.81/hr (2025). At a 3.20% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $64.76/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 Cambridge 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 Cambridge
For actuaries considering part-time work in Cambridge, a schedule of three days per week, totaling around 24 hours, can yield an annual income of about $78,950, significantly less than a full-time salary but still quite viable depending on individual circumstances and lifestyle choices. The per diem or agency-based actuarial roles, typically more lucrative for experienced professionals, are rare for junior actuaries. However, once a credentialed actuary reaches Fellowship status through the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS), billing rates for consulting engagements can reach $250-$500 per hour, with expert witness positions even commanding upwards of $800 per hour. Compensation often varies across employer types in Cambridge, with firms like Prudential, UnitedHealth, and consulting powerhouses offering different benefits that may affect the trade-off between hourly pay and comprehensive health benefits. For those seeking to negotiate hourly pay, highlighting advanced or specialized skills—especially in predictive analytics—can be advantageous, as can awareness of the varying pay scales linked to different actuarial specializations.
More salary data for Cambridge, 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 Cambridge. 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 Cambridge 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