Actuary Salary in Watertown, NY: $154,199 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Watertown, NY earns a median $154,199/year (≈ $74.14/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Watertown's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.9), that paycheck buys what $133,045 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the New York state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Watertown, NY, actuaries earn a median annual salary of $154,199, significantly higher than the national median of $134,160. The salary range for actuaries in this area spans from $95,986 at the 10th percentile to $239,009 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse earning potential influenced by experience, employer type, and specialty areas. These figures represent local estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, which also consider the regional cost of living adjustments. Actuaries working in consulting firms, such as Milliman and Mercer, tend to earn more than their counterparts in insurance roles, especially at the Fellowship level, where advanced credentials can lead to significant financial rewards.
About the Watertown Market
Salary estimated from New York average ($152,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $95,986 | $46.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $112,974 | $54.31 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $154,199 | $74.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $197,375 | $94.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $239,009 | $114.91 |
Median Salary Position
14.94% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Watertown
In Watertown, NY, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $143,023 (2026 est.). At $154,199, the local median is 14.94% above the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Watertown: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Watertown Actuary Pay Compares
Watertown median: $154,199/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Watertown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $155,443 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $134,160 | +14.94% more |
Actuarys in Watertown, NY earn a median of $154,199 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.94% higher than the national median of $134,160 and 0.80% below the New York state average of $155,443.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Watertown has a cost of living 15.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Watertown, NY has a cost-of-living index of 115.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $154,199 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $133,045 — a 13.72% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$124,534
2025 BLS Actual
$149,418
2026 Current Est.
$154,199
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Watertown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $124,534 | Actual |
| 2020 | $127,614 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,718 | Actual |
| 2022 | $131,017 | Actual |
| 2023 | $137,924 | Actual |
| 2024 | $174,704 | Actual |
| 2025 | $149,418 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $154,199 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $159,134 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Watertown metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $124,534 (2019) to $149,418 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $159,134 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,600 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Watertown 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) | $95,986 – $112,974 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $112,974 – $154,199 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $154,199 – $197,375 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $197,375 – $239,009 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Watertown
Despite Watertown having just four actuaries employed in the area, the local job market shows promise, particularly for those looking to navigate their career in this field. Given the cost-of-living index of 115.9, there is a crucial consideration for purchasing power, as higher salaries also correlate with higher living expenses. Among the major employers, consulting firms are known to offer some of the most lucrative compensation packages, especially for FSAs and FCAS, who benefit from specialty pricing in areas such as property and casualty reinsurance. Various factors influence the pay spectrum, including exam progression, with each passed exam typically adding between $3,000 and $8,000 to base salaries. Furthermore, mastering skills relevant to predictive analytics can enhance marketability and salary potential in Watertown. Actuaries looking to maximize their earnings should focus on obtaining advanced credentials, continuing education, and aligning with employers who prioritize experience and specialization.
More salary data for Watertown, NY:
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 $149,418 for actuariesin the Watertown 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 Watertown 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