Actuary Hourly Pay in Chester, PA: $60.70 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a actuary working in Chester, PA runs $60.70 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $126,270 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Weighted against Chester's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.4, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $62.32 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $75,756 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median hourly pay of $60.70 for actuaries in Chester, Pennsylvania, professionals in this field can expect compensation slightly below the national median of $64.50 per hour. This rate provides a solid earning potential for those considering part-time roles or project-based work, such as three-day work weeks or per-diem contracts. Actuaries typically find employment in various environments, including insurance companies, consulting firms, and pension plan management, where hourly work is common. The hourly compensation in Chester ranges from $40.18 for entry-level positions to an impressive $94.10 for top earners. It's important to note that these hourly numbers are projected from annual salary data, reflecting a career path that offers flexibility while still being competitive within the broader market.
About the Chester Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Actuary Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.18 | $321.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47.59 | $380.68 |
| Median (P50) | $60.70 | $485.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77.15 | $617.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94.10 | $752.78 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chester
Based on $60.70/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $60.70/hr, a actuary working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chester, PA can expect to earn approximately $126,261 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $72,843. With a cost-of-living index of 97.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Chester.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chester
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,428.09 | $10,522 | $126,261 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,456.85 | $6,313 | $75,756 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $971.24 | $4,209 | $50,504 |
Compare ASA, FSA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Actuary (Chester) | $60.70 |
| Statistician (National Avg) | $51.53 |
| Mathematician (National Avg) | $56.16 |
| Financial Analyst (National Avg) | $47.61 |
| Data Scientist (National Avg) | $54.40 |
Actuarys in Chester, PA earn a median of $126,270 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.88% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 3.40% below the Pennsylvania state average of $130,715.
Actuary Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $60.70/hr = $75,756/year (purchasing power: $77,779).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $126,261/year (purchasing power: $129,631).
CoL index: 97.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$49.02/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$58.82/hr
2026 Current Est.
$60.70/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Actuaries in Chester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49.02/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $50.24/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.92/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $51.58/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $54.30/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $57.92/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $58.82/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60.70/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62.64/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for actuaries in Chester grew 20.0% from $49.02/hr (2019) to $58.82/hr (2025). At a 3.20% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $62.64/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 Chester 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 Chester
Part-time actuaries working 24 hours a week can anticipate taking home roughly $74,267 annually, a figure that diverges significantly from the full-time potential but still reflects a reasonable income for their efforts. Per-diem and consultant rates vary considerably based on experience and skill level; while entry-level roles typically do not offer 1099 opportunities, seasoned actuaries with FSA or FCAS designations can bill clients at rates ranging from $250 to $500 per hour, particularly in consulting engagements or expert witness cases where fees can soar to $800 per hour. In Chester, the employer type also impacts pay—the life and health insurance sectors generally offer steadier hourly rates, including benefits, whereas consulting firms may provide higher rates with fewer benefits. Actuaries negotiating hourly pay should focus on their specific skills, especially in data analytics, which are increasingly sought after, and consider the trade-offs between hourly wages and benefits packages that traditionally come with full-time positions.
More salary data for Chester, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for actuaries in Chester in 2026?
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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 Chester. 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 Chester 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