Actuary Salary in Wellesley, MA: $138,288 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Wellesley, MA earns a median $138,288/year (≈ $66.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Wellesley's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $127,454 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Actuaries in Wellesley, Massachusetts, command a competitive median salary of $138,288 in 2026, slightly above the projected national median of $134,160. The local salary range reflects the profession's varied opportunities, from entry-level positions earning around $87,688 (P10) to highly experienced professionals making up to $214,346 (P90). These figures are estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for Wellesley’s regional price level. The compensation structure highlights a notable premium for those working in consulting firms like Milliman, Mercer, and WTW, distinguishing them from their peers in insurance roles. This salary environment not only reflects the specialized skill set required but also the demand for actuaries in a thriving market such as Wellesley.
About the Wellesley Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $87,688 | $42.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $105,577 | $50.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $138,288 | $66.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $177,009 | $85.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $214,346 | $103.06 |
Median Salary Position
3.08% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wellesley
In Wellesley, MA, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $126,658 (2026 est.). At $138,288, the local median is 3.08% above the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wellesley: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wellesley Actuary Pay Compares
Wellesley median: $138,288/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wellesley Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $145,566 | -5.00% less |
| National Average | $134,160 | +3.08% more |
Actuarys in Wellesley, MA earn a median of $138,288 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.08% higher than the national median of $134,160 and 5.00% below the Massachusetts state average of $145,566.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wellesley has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wellesley, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $138,288 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $127,454 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$111,684
2025 BLS Actual
$134,000
2026 Current Est.
$138,288
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Wellesley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $111,684 | Actual |
| 2020 | $114,446 | Actual |
| 2021 | $109,158 | Actual |
| 2022 | $117,497 | Actual |
| 2023 | $123,692 | Actual |
| 2024 | $146,369 | Actual |
| 2025 | $134,000 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $138,288 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $142,713 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wellesley metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $111,684 (2019) to $134,000 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $142,713 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,029 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wellesley 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) | $87,688 – $105,577 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $105,577 – $138,288 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $138,288 – $177,009 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $177,009 – $214,346 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Wellesley
The local job market features a modest number of actuaries, with only six employed in the area. A cost-of-living index of 108.5 indicates that, while salaries may be higher than average, the purchasing power must account for elevated living expenses. Among local employers, consulting firms tend to offer the most competitive pay, particularly for candidates with Fellow of the Society of Actuaries (FSA) or Fellow of the Casualty Actuarial Society (FCAS) designations. Factors influencing salary variance include exam progress—each exam passed usually corresponds to a pay increase—as well as specialization areas, with property and casualty consulting generally yielding higher salaries than life or health insurance roles. To optimize earnings in Wellesley, actuaries should focus on advancing through examinations and seeking roles in consulting firms, where skills in predictive analytics and data science are gaining importance.
More salary data for Wellesley, 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 $134,000 for actuariesin the Wellesley 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 Wellesley 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