Actuary Salary in New Brunswick, NJ: $155,143 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in New Brunswick, NJ earns a median $155,143/year (≈ $74.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in New Brunswick's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $134,673 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% above the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Among actuaries specializing in life, health, and pension via the Society of Actuaries (SOA) and those focused on property and casualty (P&C) through the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS), New Brunswick, NJ, presents a competitive compensation landscape. Projections for 2026 indicate that actuaries can expect a median annual salary of $155,143, significantly exceeding the national median of $134,160. The salary range for the area spans from $91,591 at the 10th percentile to $240,471 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the varying levels of experience and specialization that influence earnings. These estimates are derived from BLS state-level data and regional cost adjustments, which account for the above-average cost of living in New Brunswick, making it essential for professionals to strategically navigate their career paths to maximize potential earnings.
About the New Brunswick Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $91,591 | $44.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $113,779 | $54.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $155,143 | $74.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $198,583 | $95.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $240,471 | $115.61 |
Median Salary Position
15.64% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in New Brunswick
In New Brunswick, NJ, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $148,880 (2026 est.). At $155,143, the local median is 15.64% above the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in New Brunswick: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How New Brunswick Actuary Pay Compares
New Brunswick median: $155,143/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | New Brunswick Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $154,525 | +0.40% more |
| National Average | $134,160 | +15.64% more |
Actuarys in New Brunswick, NJ earn a median of $155,143 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.64% higher than the national median of $134,160 and 0.40% above the New Jersey state average of $154,525.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
New Brunswick has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
New Brunswick, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $155,143 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $134,673 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$125,296
2025 BLS Actual
$150,332
2026 Current Est.
$155,143
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in New Brunswick (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $125,296 | Actual |
| 2020 | $128,395 | Actual |
| 2021 | $122,463 | Actual |
| 2022 | $131,818 | Actual |
| 2023 | $138,768 | Actual |
| 2024 | $164,209 | Actual |
| 2025 | $150,332 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $155,143 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $160,107 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Brunswick metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $125,296 (2019) to $150,332 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $160,107 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,811 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Brunswick 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) | $91,591 – $113,779 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $113,779 – $155,143 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $155,143 – $198,583 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $198,583 – $240,471 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in New Brunswick
Despite the modest number of actuaries employed in the area, totaling just eight, the job market remains resilient, shaped by the presence of major insurance and consulting firms. With a cost-of-living index of 115.2, professionals must consider how salary figures translate into actual purchasing power. Life insurance companies like Prudential and MetLife, along with health insurers such as UnitedHealth and Cigna, offer some of the most lucrative positions in the region. Variability in actuary pay in New Brunswick can be attributed to factors such as completed exams, credential levels, and specialty market demands, with individuals who progress from ASA to FSA typically seeing significant pay increases. To enhance their compensation, aspiring and current actuaries should focus on passing exams and gaining diverse experience, particularly where consulting firms place a premium on advanced credentials, analytics capabilities, and industry knowledge.
More salary data for New Brunswick, NJ:
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 $150,332 for actuariesin the New Brunswick 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 Brunswick 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