Actuary Salary in Gastonia, NC: $130,017 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Gastonia, NC earns a median $130,017/year (≈ $62.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Gastonia's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $138,907 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.5% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Actuaries in Gastonia, North Carolina, are finding median annual salaries around $130,017 for 2026, which positions them slightly below the national median of $134,160. The salary range for this profession in the area is projected to span from $79,687 at the 10th percentile to as high as $201,526 at the 90th percentile. This local data is based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS state-level figures, adjusted for regional cost differences. The compensation landscape for positions at the FSA level often sees a marked difference between consulting firms, such as Milliman and Mercer, and traditional insurance companies. With 16 actuaries employed in the region, there are opportunities, but competition and specialty selection can significantly impact earnings.
About the Gastonia Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,687 | $38.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $97,649 | $46.95 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $130,017 | $62.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $166,421 | $80.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $201,526 | $96.88 |
Median Salary Position
3.09% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gastonia
In Gastonia, NC, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $121,839 (2026 est.). At $130,017, the local median is 3.09% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gastonia: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gastonia Actuary Pay Compares
Gastonia median: $130,017/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gastonia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $125,620 | +3.50% more |
| National Average | $134,160 | -3.09% less |
Actuarys in Gastonia, NC earn a median of $130,017 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.09% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 3.50% above the North Carolina state average of $125,620.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gastonia 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.
Gastonia, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A actuary earning $130,017 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $138,907 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$105,004
2025 BLS Actual
$125,985
2026 Current Est.
$130,017
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Gastonia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $105,004 | Actual |
| 2020 | $107,601 | Actual |
| 2021 | $102,629 | Actual |
| 2022 | $110,469 | Actual |
| 2023 | $116,294 | Actual |
| 2024 | $113,361 | Actual |
| 2025 | $125,985 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $130,017 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $134,177 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gastonia metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $105,004 (2019) to $125,985 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $134,177 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,173 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gastonia 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) | $79,687 – $97,649 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $97,649 – $130,017 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $130,017 – $166,421 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $166,421 – $201,526 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Gastonia
Cost of living plays a critical role in determining actual take-home pay for actuaries in Gastonia, with a cost-of-living index of 93.6, indicating a more affordable lifestyle compared to national averages. Employers like Prudential and MetLife in the life insurance sector tend to offer competitive salaries, while consulting firms frequently outbid traditional insurers for highly credentialed talent. Actuaries in Gastonia can maximize their earning potential by focusing on continuous professional development, as each passed actuarial exam can increase base pay by $3,000 to $8,000. Specializing in high-demand areas like predictive analytics can also open doors to positions that command higher salaries. For actuaries aiming to thrive in Gastonia's market, pursuing the ASA-to-FSA transition and leveraging regional expertise will be crucial.
More salary data for Gastonia, 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 $125,985 for actuariesin the Gastonia 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 Gastonia 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