Actuary Salary in Asheville, NC: $122,493 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Asheville, NC earns a median $122,493/year (≈ $58.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Asheville's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $130,869 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Asheville, North Carolina, an actuary can expect a median annual salary of $122,493 in 2026, which is approximately 8.70% lower than the national median of $134,160. The compensation range stretches from $76,502 at the 10th percentile to as high as $189,864 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price variations, illustrate the pay gradient between consulting firms such as Milliman and Mercer compared to traditional insurance employers. As the job market evolves, Asheville presents a robust opportunity for actuaries, particularly at the fully qualified Fellow level, where compensation can significantly increase based on experience and additional certifications.
About the Asheville Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,502 | $36.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $90,293 | $43.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $122,493 | $58.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $156,792 | $75.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $189,864 | $91.28 |
Median Salary Position
8.7% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Asheville
In Asheville, NC, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $113,362 (2026 est.). At $122,493, the local median is 8.7% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Asheville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Asheville Actuary Pay Compares
Asheville median: $122,493/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Asheville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $125,634 | -2.50% less |
| National Average | $134,160 | -8.70% less |
Actuarys in Asheville, NC earn a median of $122,493 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.70% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 2.50% below the North Carolina state average of $125,634.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Asheville has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Asheville, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A actuary earning $122,493 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $130,869 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$98,928
2025 BLS Actual
$118,695
2026 Current Est.
$122,493
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Asheville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $98,928 | Actual |
| 2020 | $101,375 | Actual |
| 2021 | $96,691 | Actual |
| 2022 | $104,077 | Actual |
| 2023 | $109,565 | Actual |
| 2024 | $114,130 | Actual |
| 2025 | $118,695 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $122,493 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $126,413 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Asheville metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $98,928 (2019) to $118,695 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $126,413 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,485 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Asheville 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) | $76,502 – $90,293 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $90,293 – $122,493 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $122,493 – $156,792 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $156,792 – $189,864 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Asheville
While the actuarial profession in Asheville is represented by just 14 professionals, employment stability is reinforced by the area's cost of living index of 93.6, which offers a favorable environment for take-home income. Employees in this locale stand to benefit from lucrative opportunities at major life and health insurance companies like Prudential and UnitedHealth, as well as in property and casualty sectors with firms like State Farm. Pay variations arise from factors such as exam progression and specialization, with each passed exam contributing considerably to base salary, ranging from $3,000 to $8,000. For those looking to maximize their actuary pay in Asheville, focusing on obtaining FSA credentials, developing data science skills, and gaining experience in sectors that command higher salaries—such as consulting—will be essential in navigating their career trajectory effectively.
More salary data for Asheville, NC:
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 $118,695 for actuariesin the Asheville 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 Asheville 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