Actuary Salary in New Jersey: $151,327 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across New Jersey's 61 metropolitan areas, the average median actuary pay sits at $151,327/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 15-2011. Because New Jersey sits at BEA RPP 115.2 (15% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $131,360 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Jersey City ($164,231), Newark ($161,699), East Orange ($151,827).
The salary landscape for actuaries in New Jersey in 2026 presents an average median salary of $151,326, which is significantly higher than the national median of $134,160, marking a 12.8% difference. The disparity between the highest and lowest paying cities is notable, with Jersey City leading at $169,486 while Camden sits at $128,710, creating a salary gap of $40,776. This difference can be attributed to varying demand for actuarial services, cost of living, and the concentration of financial and insurance firms in urban centers. Factors unique to New Jersey affect this profession, including state licensing requirements and specific scope of practice laws that govern actuaries' qualifications and responsibilities. The state’s job market appears strong, with a projected growth rate of 3.20% in the number of actuarial positions available. Cities such as Newark and East Orange also offer competitive salaries at $166,873 and $156,685, respectively, reflecting regional economic conditions and industry demand. As New Jersey continues to serve as a hub for finance-related jobs, actuaries in the state can anticipate a favorable job outlook, supported by a growing economy and increasing need for risk assessment in various sectors.
New Jersey Actuary Salary Range
Overall salary range in New Jersey: $64,005 (lowest entry-level) to $262,704 (highest top earner)
New Jersey vs National Average
New Jersey actuaries earn 12.80% more than the national median (+$17,167/year difference).
New Jersey Actuary Salary Distribution (2026)
Actuary salaries in New Jersey range from $90,108 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $231,163 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $151,327. The New Jersey median is $17,167 above the US national median of $134,160. The average hourly rate is $72.75/hr. Approximately 930 actuarys are employed across 61 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$98,310
2025 BLS Actual
$146,634
2026 Current Est.
$151,327
2019–2027 Growth
+58.9%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in New Jersey (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $98,310 | Actual |
| 2020 | $102,000 | Actual |
| 2021 | $103,010 | Actual |
| 2022 | $107,650 | Actual |
| 2023 | $114,750 | Actual |
| 2024 | $158,276 | Actual |
| 2025 | $146,634 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $151,327 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $156,169 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Jersey metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 49.2% from $98,310 (2019) to $146,634 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $156,169 by 2027 — a total increase of $57,859 (58.85%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Jersey 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in New Jersey
Lowest Paying Cities in New Jersey
Best Value Cities for Actuaries in New Jersey
When adjusted for local cost of living, these New Jersey cities offer the most purchasing power for actuaries.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jersey City | $169,486 | 115.2 | $147,123 |
| Newark | $166,873 | 115.2 | $144,855 |
| East Orange | $156,685 | 115.2 | $136,011 |
| Franklin | $156,685 | 115.2 | $136,011 |
| Woodbridge | $156,641 | 115.2 | $135,973 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in New Jersey
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $90,108 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $151,327 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $231,163 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across New Jersey metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 61 Cities in New Jersey
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jersey City | $169,486 |
| 2 | Newark | $166,873 |
| 3 | East Orange | $156,685 |
| 4 | Franklin | $156,685 |
| 5 | Woodbridge | $156,641 |
| 6 | Parsippany-Troy Hills | $156,416 |
| 7 | Union | $156,024 |
| 8 | Elizabeth | $155,967 |
| 9 | Brick | $155,644 |
| 10 | Gloucester Township | $155,204 |
| 11 | New Brunswick | $155,143 |
| 12 | Vineland | $154,886 |
| 13 | Howell | $154,629 |
| 14 | Paterson | $154,443 |
| 15 | Plainfield | $154,261 |
| 16 | Irvington | $154,029 |
| 17 | West New York | $153,796 |
| 18 | Piscataway | $153,686 |
| 19 | Jackson | $153,601 |
| 20 | Lakewood | $153,344 |
| 21 | West Orange | $153,256 |
| 22 | Montclair | $153,028 |
| 23 | Washington Township | $152,789 |
| 24 | Old Bridge | $152,732 |
| 25 | Edison | $152,496 |
| 26 | Union City | $152,425 |
| 27 | Toms River | $152,377 |
| 28 | Bridgewater | $152,200 |
| 29 | Middletown | $152,156 |
| 30 | Clifton | $151,691 |
| 31 | South Brunswick | $151,421 |
| 32 | Berkeley | $151,409 |
| 33 | Perth Amboy | $151,385 |
| 34 | Wayne | $151,336 |
| 35 | Linden | $151,313 |
| 36 | Passaic | $151,275 |
| 37 | East Brunswick | $151,217 |
| 38 | Bloomfield | $150,895 |
| 39 | Long Branch | $150,797 |
| 40 | Westfield | $150,378 |
| 41 | Hamilton | $150,222 |
| 42 | Sayreville | $150,174 |
| 43 | Cherry Hill | $150,149 |
| 44 | North Bergen | $149,879 |
| 45 | Hoboken | $149,744 |
| 46 | Kearny | $149,514 |
| 47 | Manalapan | $149,382 |
| 48 | Bayonne | $149,230 |
| 49 | Atlantic City | $149,214 |
| 50 | Manchester | $148,891 |
| 51 | Moorestown | $148,307 |
| 52 | Hackensack | $148,303 |
| 53 | Marlboro | $147,535 |
| 54 | Mount Laurel | $147,427 |
| 55 | Egg Harbor | $147,067 |
| 56 | Evesham | $146,852 |
| 57 | Rahway | $146,203 |
| 58 | Summit | $144,030 |
| 59 | Princeton | $136,343 |
| 60 | Trenton | $133,685 |
| 61 | Camden | $128,710 |
More New Jersey Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced actuaries.
Explore More Actuary Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do actuaries make in New Jersey in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for actuaries in New Jersey?
How does New Jersey actuary pay compare to the national average?
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How many actuaries are employed in New Jersey?
Which New Jersey city offers the best value for actuaries?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 actuary compensation across New Jersey. State averages are employment-weighted across 61 metro areas — larger metro areas with more actuariescontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-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