Actuary Salary in Trenton, NJ: $133,685 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Trenton, NJ earns a median $133,685/year (≈ $64.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Trenton's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $129,565 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.5% below the New Jersey state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the average actuary salary in Trenton, NJ, is projected at $133,685, which is slightly below the national median of $134,160. The salary range for actuaries in this area highlights a notable disparity: from $64,005 at the 10th percentile to $178,670 at the 90th percentile. Compensation assessments are derived from the latest official BLS OEWS surveys, revealing a diverse market with opportunities for actuaries at various levels of experience and credentials. This makes Trenton a competitive locale for actuaries, where the market's demands and local economic factors contribute to a robust employment landscape.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,005 | $30.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $105,378 | $50.66 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $133,685 | $64.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $178,216 | $85.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $178,670 | $85.89 |
Median Salary Position
0.35% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Trenton
In Trenton, NJ, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $114,665 (2026 est.). At $133,685, the local median is 0.35% below the national median of $134,160.
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At 40 hours/week in Trenton: You'd be above the median
How Trenton Actuary Pay Compares
Trenton median: $133,685/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Trenton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $154,549 | -13.50% less |
| National Average | $134,160 | -0.35% less |
Actuarys in Trenton, NJ earn a median of $133,685 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.35% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 13.50% below the New Jersey state average of $154,549.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Trenton has a cost of living 3.18% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Trenton, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 103.18 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $133,685 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $129,565 — a 3.08% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$98,310
2025 BLS Actual
$129,540
2026 Current Est.
$133,685
2019–2027 Growth
+40.3%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Trenton (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 | $115,220 | Actual |
| 2025 | $129,540 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $133,685 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $137,963 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Trenton metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 31.8% from $98,310 (2019) to $129,540 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $137,963 by 2027 — a total increase of $39,653 (40.33%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Trenton 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) | $64,005 – $105,378 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $105,378 – $133,685 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $133,685 – $178,216 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $178,216 – $178,670 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Trenton
With approximately 110 actuaries currently employed in Trenton, the local market offers a decent career outlook amid a cost of living index of 103.18, indicating that expenses are higher than the national average. This sophisticated environment for actuaries often attracts employers across multiple sectors, including life insurance firms such as Prudential and MetLife, alongside health insurers like UnitedHealth and Cigna. The variances in pay often stem from factors such as exam progression, with each passed exam potentially increasing base salaries by $3,000 to $8,000. Additionally, credential levels significantly influence compensation, as those with advanced qualifications often find more lucrative opportunities in the consulting arena compared to traditional insurer positions. For aspiring actuaries in Trenton looking to maximize their pay, pursuing additional credentials like FSA or FCAS, alongside honing skills in predictive analytics, can substantially enhance their prospects in this challenging yet rewarding job market.
More salary data for Trenton, 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 $129,540 for actuariesin the Trenton 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, 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