Actuary Salary in Charlotte, NC: $132,849 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Charlotte, NC earns a median $132,849/year (≈ $63.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Charlotte's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.3), that paycheck buys what $136,468 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.8% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, actuaries in Charlotte, North Carolina, can expect a median annual salary of $132,849, closely aligning with the national average of $134,160. The salary range for actuaries in this city spans from $75,212 at the 10th percentile to $219,455 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a significant variance in compensation based on experience, credentials, and specialty. This data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys and highlights the salary dynamics between those focusing on the Society of Actuaries (SOA) sectors, such as life, health, and pension, versus those aligned with the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) in property and casualty insurance. The Charlotte job market shows promising growth, suggesting strong demand for skilled actuaries in the area.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,212 | $36.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $102,416 | $49.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $132,849 | $63.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $164,429 | $79.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $219,455 | $105.51 |
Median Salary Position
0.98% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Charlotte
In Charlotte, NC, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $144,243 (2026 est.). At $132,849, the local median is 0.98% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Charlotte: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Charlotte Actuary Pay Compares
Charlotte median: $132,849/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Charlotte Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $125,567 | +5.80% more |
| National Average | $134,160 | -0.98% less |
Actuarys in Charlotte, NC earn a median of $132,849 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.98% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 5.80% above the North Carolina state average of $125,567.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Charlotte has a cost of living 2.65% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Charlotte, NC has a cost-of-living index of 97.348 (below the national average of 100). A actuary earning $132,849 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $136,468 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.72% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$147,800
2025 BLS Actual
$128,730
2026 Current Est.
$132,849
2019–2027 Growth
+-7.2%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Charlotte (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $147,800 | Actual |
| 2020 | $156,100 | Actual |
| 2021 | $128,370 | Actual |
| 2022 | $136,050 | Actual |
| 2023 | $142,230 | Actual |
| 2024 | $135,050 | Actual |
| 2025 | $128,730 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $132,849 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $137,101 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Charlotte metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew -12.9% from $147,800 (2019) to $128,730 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $137,101 by 2027 — a total increase of $-10,699 (-7.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Charlotte 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) | $75,212 – $102,416 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $102,416 – $132,849 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $132,849 – $164,429 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $164,429 – $219,455 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Charlotte
With approximately 280 actuaries employed in Charlotte, the local market provides a solid base for career advancement in this profession. The cost-of-living index of 97.348 indicates that living expenses in Charlotte are lower than the national average, enhancing the purchasing power for those in this field. Employers that offer the highest compensation include local life insurance firms like Prudential and MetLife, as well as health insurance giants such as UnitedHealth and Cigna. The disparity in pay can often be attributed to factors like exam progression, credentialing levels, and specialization areas; passing each exam typically results in a pay increase of $3,000 to $8,000, positioning those with further qualifications like Fellow of the Society of Actuaries (FSA) or Fellow of the Casualty Actuarial Society (FCAS) at the top of the salary range. Strategies to maximize actuary pay in Charlotte include pursuing advanced certifications, focusing on critical skills in predictive analytics, and actively seeking positions within consulting firms that offer higher wages for those with strong actuarial foundations.
More salary data for Charlotte, NC:
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 $128,730 for actuariesin the Charlotte 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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