Actuary Hourly Pay in Berkeley, NJ: $72.80 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a actuary working in Berkeley, NJ runs $72.80 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $151,409 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Weighted against Berkeley's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $63.19 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $90,851 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Professionals in Berkeley, NJ, can expect an impressive actuary hourly rate projected at $72.80 for 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $64.50. This elevated hourly pay can be particularly advantageous for actuaries working part-time or engaging in per-diem roles, such as those within consulting firms or insurance company actuarial pricing departments. For example, part-time professionals working three days a week could earn approximately $70,000 per year, translating well into their hourly commitments. The hourly pay range for this occupation is also noteworthy, extending from $43.52 for entry-level positions to $112.83 for seasoned experts, reflecting the diverse career trajectory and operational settings in which actuaries find themselves.
About the Berkeley Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Actuary Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43.52 | $348.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53.85 | $430.80 |
| Median (P50) | $72.80 | $582.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $92.13 | $737.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $112.83 | $902.63 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Berkeley
Based on $72.80/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $72.80/hr, a actuary working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Berkeley, NJ can expect to earn approximately $151,418 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $87,357. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Berkeley.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Berkeley
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,911.89 | $12,618 | $151,418 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,747.13 | $7,571 | $90,851 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,164.76 | $5,047 | $60,567 |
Compare ASA, FSA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Actuary (Berkeley) | $72.80 |
| Statistician (National Avg) | $51.53 |
| Mathematician (National Avg) | $56.16 |
| Financial Analyst (National Avg) | $47.61 |
| Data Scientist (National Avg) | $54.40 |
Actuarys in Berkeley, NJ earn a median of $151,409 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.86% higher than the national median of $134,160 and 2.00% below the New Jersey state average of $154,499.
Actuary Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $72.80/hr = $90,851/year (purchasing power: $78,864).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $151,418/year (purchasing power: $131,440).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$58.79/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$70.54/hr
2026 Current Est.
$72.80/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Actuaries in Berkeley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58.79/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $60.25/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $57.46/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $61.85/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $65.11/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $77.05/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $70.54/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72.80/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75.13/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for actuaries in Berkeley grew 20.0% from $58.79/hr (2019) to $70.54/hr (2025). At a 3.20% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $75.13/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 Berkeley 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 Berkeley
Analyzing the earning potential further reveals that the growth of part-time roles is gaining traction in Berkeley’s competitive actuarial market. An actuary working 24 hours a week can anticipate an annual income of around $65,000, demonstrating the compromise between full-time benefits and hourly flexibility. Per diem actuary pay in Berkeley is not commonplace for entry-level positions, yet experienced actuaries might command up to $500 per hour in consulting settings. Employers in the area, such as Prudential and UnitedHealth, vary in compensation strategies—ranging from competitive hourly rates that often include health benefits, versus higher rates in consulting without those perks. When negotiating, candidates should emphasize skills that enhance marketability, such as advanced data analytics, which can offer additional leverage in requesting higher wages. Understanding the subtle differences in pay across various salaried entities allows actuaries to navigate their career paths effectively.
More salary data for Berkeley, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for actuaries in Berkeley in 2026?
How much do part-time actuaries make in Berkeley?
Are actuaries in Berkeley paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time actuary make per year in Berkeley?
Do actuaries earn more per hour working part-time in Berkeley?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New Jersey
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 Berkeley. 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 Berkeley 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