Actuary Salary in Needham, MA: $143,021 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Needham, MA earns a median $143,021/year (≈ $68.76/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Needham's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $131,817 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Actuaries in Needham, Massachusetts, are expected to earn a median annual salary of $143,021 in 2026, reflecting a competitive position above the national average of $134,160. The local salary range for this profession spans from $86,650 at the P10 level to $221,682 at the P90 level, indicating significant disparities in compensation based on factors like experience and specialty. These projections stem from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost variations in Needham. Given the presence of insurance firms and consulting services in the area, actuaries specializing in life and health insurance under the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or property and casualty through the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) may find varied opportunities that influence their earnings potential in this job market.
About the Needham Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $86,650 | $41.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $106,318 | $51.11 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $143,021 | $68.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $183,066 | $88.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $221,682 | $106.57 |
Median Salary Position
6.60% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Needham
In Needham, MA, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $135,032 (2026 est.). At $143,021, the local median is 6.6% above the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Needham: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Needham Actuary Pay Compares
Needham median: $143,021/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Needham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $145,494 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $134,160 | +6.60% more |
Actuarys in Needham, MA earn a median of $143,021 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.60% higher than the national median of $134,160 and 1.70% below the Massachusetts state average of $145,494.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Needham has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Needham, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $143,021 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $131,817 — a 7.83% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$115,506
2025 BLS Actual
$138,586
2026 Current Est.
$143,021
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Needham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $115,506 | Actual |
| 2020 | $118,363 | Actual |
| 2021 | $112,894 | Actual |
| 2022 | $121,519 | Actual |
| 2023 | $127,926 | Actual |
| 2024 | $151,379 | Actual |
| 2025 | $138,586 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $143,021 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $147,597 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Needham metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $115,506 (2019) to $138,586 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $147,597 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,091 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Needham 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) | $86,650 – $106,318 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $106,318 – $143,021 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $143,021 – $183,066 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $183,066 – $221,682 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Needham
Looking deeper, the local job market for actuaries is relatively modest, with only six professionals currently employed in Needham. This limited number can pressure salaries but simultaneously provides ample opportunities for high-performers, particularly those with advanced credentials such as Fellow of the Society of Actuaries (FSA) or Fellow of the Casualty Actuarial Society (FCAS). The area's cost of living index stands at 108.5, indicating higher living costs than the national average, which can affect the purchasing power of actuary salaries. Top employers like Prudential and MetLife are known to offer some of the highest compensation packages for life insurance roles, whereas consulting firms often pay a premium for experience and credential attainment. Actuaries aiming to maximize their salary in Needham should focus on achieving advanced credentials, leveraging their skills in predictive analytics and data science as the industry evolves, and understanding that each exam passed can significantly elevate their base pay.
More salary data for Needham, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do actuaries make in Needham, MA in 2026?
Is Needham, MA a good place to work as a actuary?
Can actuaries make $100K in Needham?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted actuary salary in Needham?
How much does a actuary make per hour in Needham?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Massachusetts
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 $138,586 for actuariesin the Needham 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 Needham 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