Actuary Salary in Los Alamos, NM: $99,779 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Los Alamos, NM earns a median $99,779/year (≈ $47.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Los Alamos's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 94.4), that paycheck buys what $105,698 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.8% below the New Mexico state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The 2026 actuary salary in Los Alamos, New Mexico is projected at $99,779, reflecting the area's unique market primarily influenced by the Society of Actuaries (SOA) and the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS). The salary range for actuaries here spans from $65,044 at the 10th percentile to $154,658 at the 90th percentile, demonstrating significant variation based on experience, credentials, and specialization. These figures are drawn from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and regional economic factors, highlighting that the compensation landscape for actuaries in Los Alamos is competitive yet notably lower than the national median of $134,160. This context poses interesting implications for new and seasoned actuaries exploring opportunities within the region.
About the Los Alamos Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,044 | $31.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,521 | $37.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $99,779 | $47.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $127,717 | $61.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $154,658 | $74.36 |
Median Salary Position
25.63% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Los Alamos
In Los Alamos, NM, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $89,614 (2026 est.). At $99,779, the local median is 25.63% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Los Alamos: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Los Alamos Actuary Pay Compares
Los Alamos median: $99,779/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Los Alamos Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $108,220 | -7.80% less |
| National Average | $134,160 | -25.63% less |
Actuarys in Los Alamos, NM earn a median of $99,779 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.63% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 7.80% below the New Mexico state average of $108,220.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Los Alamos has a cost of living 5.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Los Alamos, NM has a cost-of-living index of 94.4 (below the national average of 100). A actuary earning $99,779 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $105,698 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.93% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$80,583
2025 BLS Actual
$96,685
2026 Current Est.
$99,779
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Los Alamos (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $80,583 | Actual |
| 2020 | $82,576 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,761 | Actual |
| 2022 | $84,778 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,248 | Actual |
| 2024 | $93,968 | Actual |
| 2025 | $96,685 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $99,779 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $102,972 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Los Alamos metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $80,583 (2019) to $96,685 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $102,972 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,389 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Los Alamos 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) | $65,044 – $77,521 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,521 – $99,779 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $99,779 – $127,717 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $127,717 – $154,658 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Los Alamos
With only six actuaries currently employed in Los Alamos, the local job market offers a specialized niche for professionals seeking careers in both life and health insurance, as well as property and casualty sectors. The cost of living index in Los Alamos stands at 94.4, which, while below the national average, may influence the purchasing power of these actuaries. Employers such as Prudential and UnitedHealth are known to provide the highest compensation packages within the area. Factors driving the salary disparity include exam progression, which can add $3,000 to $8,000 with each passed exam, and the level of credentialing that significantly impacts earnings. Given the region's low competition, actuaries aiming to maximize their pay should focus on completing additional exams, pursuing FSA or FCAS credentials, and honing skills in predictive analytics, which are increasingly sought after in this evolving job market.
More salary data for Los Alamos, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do actuaries make in Los Alamos, NM in 2026?
Is Los Alamos, NM a good place to work as a actuary?
Can actuaries make $100K in Los Alamos?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted actuary salary in Los Alamos?
How much does a actuary make per hour in Los Alamos?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New Mexico
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 $96,685 for actuariesin the Los Alamos 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 Los Alamos 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