Actuary Pay

Actuary Salary in Worcester, MA: $127,111 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Worcester, MA earns a median $127,111/year (≈ $61.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Worcester's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.5), that paycheck buys what $123,983 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 12.7% below the Massachusetts state average.

$127,111
Median Annual Salary
$61.12/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$81,187
Entry Level (P10)
$195,585
Top Earners (P90)

Official BLS data · View source

Actuary Salary in Worcester, MA — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Worcester, MA actuary salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In 2026, actuaries in Worcester, Massachusetts, can expect a median annual salary of $127,111, demonstrating a notable earning potential within this profession. The salary range spans from $81,187 at the 10th percentile to $195,585 at the 90th percentile, indicating a robust market for seasoned professionals. These figures are derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, highlighting a competitive local job environment where talent retention and development are encouraged. Given the city's evolving demand for actuarial expertise, particularly with the increasing importance of predictive analytics and data science, prospective candidates might find ample opportunities to advance their careers through exam progression and specialization.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$81,187$39.03
Lower Range (P25)$84,046$40.41
Median (P50)(typical)$127,111$61.12
Upper Range (P75)$166,080$79.85
Top Earners (P90)$195,585$94.04

Median Salary Position

$81,187$195,585
City Median: $127,111
National: $134,160
P10–P90 Range

5.25% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Worcester

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for actuarys in Worcester. The median salary is $127,111, compared to the national median of $134,160.$73.1K$106.1K$139.2K$172.3K$205.4K$81.2K10th Pctl$84.0K25th Pctl$127.1KMedian$166.1K75th Pctl$195.6K90th PctlUS Median$134.2K

In Worcester, MA, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $114,398 (2026 est.). At $127,111, the local median is 5.25% below the national median of $134,160.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of actuary pay in the Worcester metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$2,445
per week
$10,593
per month
$127,119
per year

At 40 hours/week in Worcester: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Worcester Actuary Pay Compares

Worcester median: $127,111/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryWorcester Pays
Massachusetts Average$145,603-12.70% less
National Average$134,160-5.25% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing actuary median salary in Worcester ($127,111) with Massachusetts average ($145,603) and the US national median ($134,160).Worcester$127,111Massachusetts Avg$145,603-12.70%US National$134,160-5.25%

Actuarys in Worcester, MA earn a median of $127,111 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.25% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 12.70% below the Massachusetts state average of $145,603.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$127,111
Nominal Salary
102.523
CoL Index
$123,983
Adjusted Salary

Worcester has a cost of living 2.52% above the national average.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $127,111. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 102.523, the purchasing-power equivalent is $123,983, a loss of $3,128.$105.4K$117.6K$129.8K$142.1K$154.3K$127,111NominalSalary$123,983CoL Adjusted(CoL: 102.523) -2.46%US Median $134.2K

Worcester, MA has a cost-of-living index of 102.523 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $127,111 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $123,983 — a 2.46% reduction.

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2019 BLS Actual

$94,780

2025 BLS Actual

$123,170

2026 Current Est.

$127,111

2019–2027 Growth

+38.4%

Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Worcester (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for actuaries in Worcester. Baseline $94,780 in 2025, projected to $131,179 by 2027.$84.5K$98.1K$111.7K$125.4K$139.0K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$94.8K$92.3K$100.3K$101.8K$108.6K$122.2K$123.2K$127.1K$131.2K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$94,780Actual
2020$92,320Actual
2021$100,336Actual
2022$101,750Actual
2023$108,620Actual
2024$122,200Actual
2025$123,170Actual
2026(current)$127,111Estimated
2027$131,179Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Worcester metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 30.0% from $94,780 (2019) to $123,170 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $131,179 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,399 (38.40%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Worcester metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$81,187$84,046
3-5 years (Mid Career)$84,046$127,111
5+ years (Experienced)$127,111$166,080
10+ years (Top Earner)$166,080$195,585

ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

Actuary Job Market in Worcester

The job market for actuaries in Worcester is supported by approximately 80 individuals currently employed within the field. With a cost of living index at 102.523, aspiring professionals should consider how take-home purchasing power is influenced by local living expenses. Among the top-paying employers in the area, life insurance companies like Prudential and MetLife, as well as firms like UnitedHealth and Cigna in the health insurance sector, stand out. The difference in actuarial pay in Worcester can largely be attributed to credential levels and the specific markets individuals serve. For example, those progressing to Fellow status can expect significant salary increases. To maximize income potential in this specific market, candidates should focus on gaining relevant VEE credits, pursuing managerial roles in consulting firms, and capitalizing on exam success, as each passed exam typically results in a pay step increase of $3,000-$8,000.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do actuaries make in Worcester, MA in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median actuary salary in Worcester is $127,111/year ($61.12/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 3.20% annual growth). Salaries range from $81,187 at entry level (10th percentile) to $195,585 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Worcester at 5.3% below the national median. Full-time actuaries typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Worcester, MA a good place to work as a actuary?

Worcester actuary salaries are 5.3% below the national average and 12.7% below the Massachusetts state average. The metro area employs approximately 80 actuaries. With a cost-of-living index of 102.523, you should factor in higher living costs when evaluating compensation. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can actuaries make $100K in Worcester?

Yes — the median actuary salary in Worcester is already $127,111, meaning more than half of actuaries here earn six figures. Top earners (90th percentile) make $195,585/year. Factors that push pay above $100K include years of experience, specialty certifications, and working at high-production practices or large organizations.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted actuary salary in Worcester?

After adjusting for Worcester's cost-of-living index of 102.523 (where 100 equals the national average), the $127,111 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $123,983 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Worcester reduce the effective value of your salary by 2.5% compared to the national average — consider negotiating higher base pay or exploring nearby lower-cost metros.

How much does a actuary make per hour in Worcester?

Actuaries in Worcester earn a median hourly rate of $61.12, which translates to approximately $127,111/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $39.03 for entry-level positions to $94.04 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem actuaries sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

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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.

Clinically reviewed by David Patel, ASA, MAAAData verified by Aisha Khan, FSA, CERA

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 $123,170 for actuariesin the Worcester 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

Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-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

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