Actuary Salary in Massachusetts: $141,076 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Massachusetts's 57 metropolitan areas, the average median actuary pay sits at $141,076/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 15-2011. Because Massachusetts sits at BEA RPP 108.5 (9% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $130,024 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Lynn ($144,871), Somerville ($142,974), Revere ($142,751).
In 2026, actuaries in Massachusetts are projected to earn an average median salary of $141,076, which is 5.2% above the national median of $134,160. The salary landscape varies significantly within the state, with Lynn reporting the highest average at $149,507, while Springfield offers the lowest at $121,910, creating a salary gap of $27,597. This difference can be attributed to factors such as local demand for actuarial services, cost of living variations, and the presence of major financial institutions. Massachusetts has specific licensing requirements that necessitate passing several exams and obtaining a professional designation. The scope of practice laws in the state are favorable to actuaries, allowing for a wide range of financial consulting, insurance, and risk assessment roles. This is further supported by a steady demand for actuaries, indicated by an annual growth rate of 3.20%, which aligns with broader national trends. The job market for actuaries remains strong, with a total employment of 677 professionals in the state. Key cities driving employment include Somerville ($147,549), Revere ($147,319), Brockton ($146,813), and New Bedford ($146,648). These areas reflect a concentrated need for actuarial expertise, indicating positive career prospects for new entrants into the field.
Massachusetts Actuary Salary Range
Overall salary range in Massachusetts: $75,715 (lowest entry-level) to $231,736 (highest top earner)
Massachusetts vs National Average
Massachusetts actuaries earn 5.16% more than the national median (+$6,916/year difference).
Massachusetts Actuary Salary Distribution (2026)
Actuary salaries in Massachusetts range from $86,857 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $218,498 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $141,076. The Massachusetts median is $6,916 above the US national median of $134,160. The average hourly rate is $67.83/hr. Approximately 677 actuarys are employed across 57 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$112,377
2025 BLS Actual
$136,702
2026 Current Est.
$141,076
2019–2027 Growth
+29.6%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Massachusetts (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $112,377 | Actual |
| 2020 | $115,742 | Actual |
| 2021 | $128,155 | Actual |
| 2022 | $131,525 | Actual |
| 2023 | $135,104 | Actual |
| 2024 | $130,363 | Actual |
| 2025 | $136,702 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $141,076 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $145,591 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Massachusetts metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 21.6% from $112,377 (2019) to $136,702 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $145,591 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,214 (29.56%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Massachusetts 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Massachusetts
Lowest Paying Cities in Massachusetts
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Springfield | $121,910 |
| Worcester | $127,111 |
| Cambridge | $130,543 |
| Newton | $132,662 |
| Boston | $133,737 |
Best Value Cities for Actuaries in Massachusetts
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Massachusetts cities offer the most purchasing power for actuaries.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lynn | $149,507 | 108.5 | $137,794 |
| Somerville | $147,549 | 108.5 | $135,990 |
| Revere | $147,319 | 108.5 | $135,778 |
| Brockton | $146,813 | 108.5 | $135,312 |
| New Bedford | $146,648 | 108.5 | $135,159 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Massachusetts
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $86,857 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $141,076 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $218,498 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Massachusetts metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 57 Cities in Massachusetts
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lynn | $149,507 |
| 2 | Somerville | $147,549 |
| 3 | Revere | $147,319 |
| 4 | Brockton | $146,813 |
| 5 | New Bedford | $146,648 |
| 6 | Plymouth | $146,557 |
| 7 | Malden | $146,027 |
| 8 | Haverhill | $146,004 |
| 9 | Lowell | $145,966 |
| 10 | Framingham | $145,901 |
| 11 | Peabody | $145,705 |
| 12 | Weymouth | $145,266 |
| 13 | Chicopee | $144,829 |
| 14 | Randolph | $144,670 |
| 15 | Quincy | $144,414 |
| 16 | Amherst | $144,241 |
| 17 | Chelsea | $144,229 |
| 18 | Medford | $143,837 |
| 19 | Fall River | $143,699 |
| 20 | Marlborough | $143,699 |
| 21 | Watertown | $143,676 |
| 22 | Pittsfield | $143,575 |
| 23 | Fitchburg | $143,564 |
| 24 | Methuen | $143,509 |
| 25 | Taunton | $143,445 |
| 26 | Arlington | $143,393 |
| 27 | Needham | $143,021 |
| 28 | Westfield | $142,954 |
| 29 | Everett | $142,931 |
| 30 | Holyoke | $142,196 |
| 31 | Beverly | $141,959 |
| 32 | Lawrence | $141,958 |
| 33 | Dartmouth | $141,790 |
| 34 | Waltham | $141,646 |
| 35 | Barnstable | $141,496 |
| 36 | Brookline | $141,186 |
| 37 | Billerica | $140,965 |
| 38 | Braintree | $140,490 |
| 39 | Salem | $140,254 |
| 40 | Natick | $140,163 |
| 41 | Dracut | $139,429 |
| 42 | Lexington | $139,339 |
| 43 | Stoughton | $139,339 |
| 44 | Northampton | $139,327 |
| 45 | Shrewsbury | $139,158 |
| 46 | Franklin | $138,785 |
| 47 | Attleboro | $138,672 |
| 48 | Woburn | $138,491 |
| 49 | Chelmsford | $138,367 |
| 50 | Wellesley | $138,288 |
| 51 | Leominster | $138,164 |
| 52 | Andover | $137,825 |
| 53 | Boston | $133,737 |
| 54 | Newton | $132,662 |
| 55 | Cambridge | $130,543 |
| 56 | Worcester | $127,111 |
| 57 | Springfield | $121,910 |
More Massachusetts Salary Data
Explore More Actuary Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do actuaries make in Massachusetts in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for actuaries in Massachusetts?
How does Massachusetts actuary pay compare to the national average?
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Which Massachusetts city offers the best value for actuaries?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 actuary compensation across Massachusetts. State averages are employment-weighted across 57 metro areas — larger metro areas with more actuariescontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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