Actuary Salary in Taos, NM: $99,592 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Taos, NM earns a median $99,592/year (≈ $47.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Taos's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 94.4), that paycheck buys what $105,500 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.0% below the New Mexico state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Actuaries in Taos, NM, can expect a median annual salary of $99,592 in 2026, reflecting a substantial local differential compared to the national average of $134,160. Compensation ranges from approximately $64,610 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $153,409 for the top earners (90th percentile). These salary estimates are derived from 2025 BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional cost differences, indicating a more affordable lifestyle with a cost-of-living index pegged at 94.4. With four actuaries currently employed in this area, the market's modest size suggests opportunities may be limited yet competitive within this unique cultural hub.
About the Taos Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,610 | $31.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,149 | $37.09 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $99,592 | $47.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $126,255 | $60.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $153,409 | $73.76 |
Median Salary Position
25.77% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Taos
In Taos, NM, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $88,799 (2026 est.). At $99,592, the local median is 25.77% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Taos: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Taos Actuary Pay Compares
Taos median: $99,592/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Taos Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $108,252 | -8.00% less |
| National Average | $134,160 | -25.77% less |
Actuarys in Taos, NM earn a median of $99,592 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.77% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 8.00% below the New Mexico state average of $108,252.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Taos 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.
Taos, NM has a cost-of-living index of 94.4 (below the national average of 100). A actuary earning $99,592 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $105,500 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$80,432
2025 BLS Actual
$96,504
2026 Current Est.
$99,592
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Taos (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $80,432 | Actual |
| 2020 | $82,422 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,614 | Actual |
| 2022 | $84,619 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,081 | Actual |
| 2024 | $93,792 | Actual |
| 2025 | $96,504 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $99,592 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $102,779 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Taos metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $80,432 (2019) to $96,504 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $102,779 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,347 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Taos 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) | $64,610 – $77,149 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,149 – $99,592 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $99,592 – $126,255 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $126,255 – $153,409 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Taos
In terms of local job market dynamics, actuary salaries in Taos highlight the impact of exam progression and the level of professional credentials on pay. The market is defined largely by unique insurance and consulting firms, with those specializing in life, health, and property & casualty potentially offering better compensation prospects. To maximize income, candidates should focus on advancing their qualifications, as each passed actuarial exam often leads to an incremental pay increase. Additionally, securing positions in consulting firms like Milliman or Mercer can significantly enhance earnings, particularly for those achieving fellowship status (FSA/FCAS). Understanding the demand for data science skills alongside traditional actuarial principles can also render a candidate more appealing to prospective employers in Taos, elevating their overall pay potential. Efforts to improve exam completion times and seeking employers that offer study time benefits can further boost job satisfaction and financial outcomes.
More salary data for Taos, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $96,504 for actuariesin the Taos 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 Taos 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