Actuary Salary in New Bedford, MA: $146,648 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in New Bedford, MA earns a median $146,648/year (≈ $70.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in New Bedford's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $135,159 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% above the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In New Bedford, Massachusetts, aspiring actuaries can expect a median annual pay of $146,648 in 2026, which is a notable increase compared to national figures. The salary range for actuaries in this city spans from $92,590 at the 10th percentile to $227,305 at the 90th percentile. These projected figures, sourced from 2025 BLS data, factor in local market conditions and regional price adjustments. Notably, the compensation offered in consulting firms such as Milliman and Mercer generally surpasses that of traditional insurance roles, particularly for those at the Fellowship level, where specialized skills and exam progress significantly influence remuneration. With the job market supporting 24 actuaries, New Bedford positions itself as a competitive locale for this profession.
About the New Bedford Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $92,590 | $44.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $112,330 | $54.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $146,648 | $70.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $187,709 | $90.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $227,305 | $109.28 |
Median Salary Position
9.31% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in New Bedford
In New Bedford, MA, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $134,715 (2026 est.). At $146,648, the local median is 9.31% above the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in New Bedford: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How New Bedford Actuary Pay Compares
New Bedford median: $146,648/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | New Bedford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $145,629 | +0.70% more |
| National Average | $134,160 | +9.31% more |
Actuarys in New Bedford, MA earn a median of $146,648 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.31% higher than the national median of $134,160 and 0.70% above the Massachusetts state average of $145,629.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
New Bedford has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
New Bedford, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $146,648 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $135,159 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$118,436
2025 BLS Actual
$142,101
2026 Current Est.
$146,648
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in New Bedford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $118,436 | Actual |
| 2020 | $121,365 | Actual |
| 2021 | $115,758 | Actual |
| 2022 | $124,601 | Actual |
| 2023 | $131,170 | Actual |
| 2024 | $155,219 | Actual |
| 2025 | $142,101 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $146,648 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $151,341 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Bedford metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $118,436 (2019) to $142,101 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $151,341 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,905 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Bedford 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) | $92,590 – $112,330 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $112,330 – $146,648 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $146,648 – $187,709 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $187,709 – $227,305 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in New Bedford
When evaluating actuary pay in New Bedford, MA, the cost of living, indexed at 108.5, must be considered, as it affects take-home purchasing power. Major employers in the area include life insurance companies like Prudential and MetLife, which tend to offer competitive packages. However, actuaries in property and casualty or consulting sectors generally command higher salaries due to specialty knowledge and exam achievement. The disparity between entry-level and experienced roles can be attributed to the rigorous exam progression, where successful completion of actuarial exams correlates with incremental pay increases, often between $3,000 and $8,000 per step. For those looking to maximize earnings, focusing on areas such as predictive analytics, obtaining fellow status, and seeking roles within consulting firms can yield more lucrative opportunities in New Bedford.
More salary data for New Bedford, 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 $142,101 for actuariesin the New Bedford 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 New Bedford 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