Actuary Salary in Carrboro, NC: $118,356 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Carrboro, NC earns a median $118,356/year (≈ $56.90/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Carrboro's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $126,449 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.7% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, actuaries in Carrboro, North Carolina, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $118,356, which reflects local estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional cost adjustments. The complete salary range spans from $71,545 at the 10th percentile to $180,586 at the 90th percentile, demonstrating the income potential based on experience and specialization. While these figures show a competitive level of compensation, they are notably below the national median annual salary of $134,160, indicating a regional pay gap that is relevant for professionals choosing between the SOA and CAS specialty markets. This context highlights the need for actuaries in Carrboro to understand local employment dynamics as they consider career opportunities.
About the Carrboro Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $71,545 | $34.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $95,200 | $45.77 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $118,356 | $56.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $148,974 | $71.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $180,586 | $86.82 |
Median Salary Position
11.78% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Carrboro
In Carrboro, NC, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $109,041 (2026 est.). At $118,356, the local median is 11.78% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Carrboro: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Carrboro Actuary Pay Compares
Carrboro median: $118,356/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Carrboro Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $125,510 | -5.70% less |
| National Average | $134,160 | -11.78% less |
Actuarys in Carrboro, NC earn a median of $118,356 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.78% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 5.70% below the North Carolina state average of $125,510.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Carrboro 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.
Carrboro, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A actuary earning $118,356 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $126,449 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$95,586
2025 BLS Actual
$114,686
2026 Current Est.
$118,356
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Carrboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $95,586 | Actual |
| 2020 | $97,951 | Actual |
| 2021 | $93,425 | Actual |
| 2022 | $100,562 | Actual |
| 2023 | $105,864 | Actual |
| 2024 | $110,275 | Actual |
| 2025 | $114,686 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $118,356 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $122,143 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Carrboro metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $95,586 (2019) to $114,686 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $122,143 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,557 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Carrboro 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) | $71,545 – $95,200 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $95,200 – $118,356 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $118,356 – $148,974 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $148,974 – $180,586 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Carrboro
With only six actuaries employed in the area, the job market for this profession is relatively small. However, the cost of living index in Carrboro is at 93.6, which is below the national average of 100, making company pay for actuaries potentially go further in terms of purchasing power. Top employers in this region include life insurance stalwarts like Prudential and MetLife, alongside health care firms such as UnitedHealth and Cigna. The variation in pay is driven by several factors, including the level of credentialing, which greatly influences salary prospects—those who progress from ASA to FSA command higher rates. Additionally, specialties tend to dictate compensation trajectories, with positions in property and casualty reinsurance generally offering higher pay compared to life or health roles. To maximize their earnings in Carrboro, actuaries should focus on advancing through examinations and acquiring relevant VEE credits, as each exam passed can add substantial value to their base salary.
More salary data for Carrboro, 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 $114,686 for actuariesin the Carrboro 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 Carrboro 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