Actuary Salary in Kernersville, NC: $124,423 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Kernersville, NC earns a median $124,423/year (≈ $59.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Kernersville's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $132,931 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, actuaries in Kernersville, North Carolina can expect a median annual salary of $124,423, slightly below the national benchmark of $134,160. The local salary range reflects considerable variability, stretching from $77,271 at the lower 10th percentile to $192,856 at the upper 90th percentile. These figures are informed by estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost considerations. With a small pool of six actuaries currently employed in the area, job prospects can be competitive, particularly for those specializing in fields relevant to the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS). The choice between these two pathways can significantly influence salary potential and market demand in Kernersville.
About the Kernersville Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,271 | $37.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $93,790 | $45.09 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $124,423 | $59.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $159,261 | $76.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $192,856 | $92.71 |
Median Salary Position
7.26% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kernersville
In Kernersville, NC, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $115,585 (2026 est.). At $124,423, the local median is 7.26% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kernersville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kernersville Actuary Pay Compares
Kernersville median: $124,423/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kernersville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $125,553 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $134,160 | -7.26% less |
Actuarys in Kernersville, NC earn a median of $124,423 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.26% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 0.90% below the North Carolina state average of $125,553.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kernersville 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.
Kernersville, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A actuary earning $124,423 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $132,931 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$100,486
2025 BLS Actual
$120,565
2026 Current Est.
$124,423
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Kernersville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $100,486 | Actual |
| 2020 | $102,972 | Actual |
| 2021 | $98,214 | Actual |
| 2022 | $105,717 | Actual |
| 2023 | $111,291 | Actual |
| 2024 | $115,928 | Actual |
| 2025 | $120,565 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $124,423 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $128,405 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kernersville metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $100,486 (2019) to $120,565 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $128,405 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,919 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kernersville 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) | $77,271 – $93,790 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $93,790 – $124,423 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $124,423 – $159,261 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $159,261 – $192,856 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Kernersville
In terms of take-home buying power, Kernersville's cost-of-living index sits at 93.6, indicating that living expenses are lower than the national average. This reality could enhance the attractiveness of the local actuary pay, especially for those working at prominent employers such as Prudential or UnitedHealth, which are known to offer higher compensation packages than their counterparts in other sectors. The disparities in pay are often driven by factors such as exam progression, where each passed actuarial exam can increase base pay significantly, along with the level of credentials held. Actuaries pursuing fellowships, either through the SOA or CAS, typically see a marked increase in salary potential. For those looking to maximize their earnings in Kernersville, focusing on further credentialing and specializing in lucrative areas such as property & casualty could lead to higher compensation and better career advancement opportunities.
More salary data for Kernersville, 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 $120,565 for actuariesin the Kernersville 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 Kernersville 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