Actuary Salary in Lafayette, LA: $112,496 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Lafayette, LA earns a median $112,496/year (≈ $54.09/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Lafayette's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.3), that paycheck buys what $124,580 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% above the Louisiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Projected for 2026, actuaries in Lafayette, Louisiana, can expect a substantial median annual salary of $112,496. This figure reflects local adjustments derived from BLS state-level data and shows a full salary range that spans from $65,522 at the 10th percentile to $174,369 at the 90th. Those exploring how much do actuaries make in Lafayette should recognize that this compensation is notably lower than the projected national median of $134,160, positioning Lafayette's actuary pay approximately 16.15% below the national average. The presence of a relatively small actuarial workforce—just 18 employed in the area—suggests a niche market, which may call for specialized skill sets and applicable credentials, further influencing the compensation dynamic in the region.
About the Lafayette Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($110,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,522 | $31.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,245 | $41.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $112,496 | $54.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $143,995 | $69.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $174,369 | $83.83 |
Median Salary Position
16.15% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lafayette
In Lafayette, LA, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $108,847 (2026 est.). At $112,496, the local median is 16.15% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lafayette: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lafayette Actuary Pay Compares
Lafayette median: $112,496/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lafayette Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $109,645 | +2.60% more |
| National Average | $134,160 | -16.15% less |
Actuarys in Lafayette, LA earn a median of $112,496 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.15% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 2.60% above the Louisiana state average of $109,645.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lafayette has a cost of living 9.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lafayette, LA has a cost-of-living index of 90.3 (below the national average of 100). A actuary earning $112,496 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $124,580 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.74% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$90,854
2025 BLS Actual
$109,008
2026 Current Est.
$112,496
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Lafayette (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $90,854 | Actual |
| 2020 | $93,101 | Actual |
| 2021 | $88,800 | Actual |
| 2022 | $95,583 | Actual |
| 2023 | $100,623 | Actual |
| 2024 | $101,957 | Actual |
| 2025 | $109,008 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $112,496 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $116,096 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lafayette metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $90,854 (2019) to $109,008 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $116,096 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,242 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lafayette 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $65,522 – $86,245 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,245 – $112,496 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $112,496 – $143,995 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $143,995 – $174,369 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Lafayette
When evaluating the local job market for actuaries, it’s crucial to consider the cost of living index, which stands at 90.3, indicating that living expenses in Lafayette are below the national average. This lower cost of living positively influences take-home pay and purchasing power for actuaries. Among the employers in Lafayette, life insurance companies like Prudential and MetLife, along with property and casualty insurers such as State Farm, tend to offer higher salaries. The variance in actuarial salaries can typically be attributed to the examination progression within the profession; passing exams often translates into significant salary increases. For professionals aiming to maximize their pay in Lafayette, focusing on passing actuarial exams, securing fellow credentials, and gaining experience in high-demand specialty areas like property and casualty or reinsurance can be beneficial strategies.
More salary data for Lafayette, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do actuaries make in Lafayette, LA in 2026?
Is Lafayette, LA a good place to work as a actuary?
Can actuaries make $100K in Lafayette?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted actuary salary in Lafayette?
How much does a actuary make per hour in Lafayette?
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $109,008 for actuariesin the Lafayette metropolitan area. A 3.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Lafayette 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