Actuary Salary in Amherst, MA: $144,241 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Amherst, MA earns a median $144,241/year (≈ $69.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Amherst's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $132,941 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, actuary salaries in Amherst, Massachusetts, are projected to reach a median annual income of $144,241, surpassing the national median of $134,160. The local salary ranges widely, with the lowest paid actuaries earning around $85,258 while the highest can make up to $223,572. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parities, reflect the strong demand for actuaries specializing in various fields, particularly those aligned with the Society of Actuaries (SOA) in life, health, and pension sectors, versus the Property & Casualty (P&C) focus of the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS). With a modest population of only six actuaries in Amherst, job opportunities remain competitive, and the particular specialty can significantly impact compensation levels within the local market.
About the Amherst Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $85,258 | $40.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $114,325 | $54.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $144,241 | $69.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $184,538 | $88.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $223,572 | $107.48 |
Median Salary Position
7.51% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Amherst
In Amherst, MA, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $138,314 (2026 est.). At $144,241, the local median is 7.51% above the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Amherst: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Amherst Actuary Pay Compares
Amherst median: $144,241/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Amherst Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $145,551 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $134,160 | +7.51% more |
Actuarys in Amherst, MA earn a median of $144,241 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.51% higher than the national median of $134,160 and 0.90% below the Massachusetts state average of $145,551.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Amherst has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Amherst, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $144,241 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $132,941 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$116,491
2025 BLS Actual
$139,768
2026 Current Est.
$144,241
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Amherst (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $116,491 | Actual |
| 2020 | $119,373 | Actual |
| 2021 | $113,857 | Actual |
| 2022 | $122,555 | Actual |
| 2023 | $129,017 | Actual |
| 2024 | $152,670 | Actual |
| 2025 | $139,768 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $144,241 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $148,856 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Amherst metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $116,491 (2019) to $139,768 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $148,856 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,365 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Amherst 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) | $85,258 – $114,325 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $114,325 – $144,241 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $144,241 – $184,538 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $184,538 – $223,572 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Amherst
In analyzing the actuary pay in Amherst, MA, the cost of living index, adjusted to 108.5, presents a notable challenge for take-home purchasing power despite the competitive median salary. Local employers, such as major insurance firms and consulting agencies, play a crucial role in determining pay scales. Life insurance companies like Prudential and MetLife often provide attractive compensation packages, while firms focusing on managed care, such as UnitedHealth, are also prominent. The sizable variance in salaries can typically be linked to credential levels, with associates transitioning to fellows through passed exams experiencing substantial pay increases. For actuaries seeking to maximize earnings in the Amherst market, strategically aligning with employers that value advanced credentials, enhancing predictive analytics skills, and understanding the nuances of specialty markets and corresponding pay structures are key strategies to employ.
More salary data for Amherst, 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
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 $139,768 for actuariesin the Amherst 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 Amherst 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