Actuary Salary in Matthews, NC: $124,131 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Matthews, NC earns a median $124,131/year (≈ $59.68/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Matthews's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $132,619 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Matthews, North Carolina, actuaries can expect a median annual salary of $124,131 in 2026, reflecting a competitive local market within the life and health insurers as well as pension sectors. The salary range for this profession stretches from $76,074 at the 10th percentile to $192,403 at the 90th percentile, indicating that there are substantial opportunities for experienced and credentialed professionals. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, position Matthews slightly below the national median of $134,160. The presence of various employers offers diversity, especially among life and health insurance companies, which are vital players in the local job market.
About the Matthews Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,074 | $36.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $93,207 | $44.81 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $124,131 | $59.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $158,447 | $76.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $192,403 | $92.50 |
Median Salary Position
7.48% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Matthews
In Matthews, NC, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $116,329 (2026 est.). At $124,131, the local median is 7.48% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Matthews: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Matthews Actuary Pay Compares
Matthews median: $124,131/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Matthews Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $125,512 | -1.10% less |
| National Average | $134,160 | -7.48% less |
Actuarys in Matthews, NC earn a median of $124,131 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.48% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 1.10% below the North Carolina state average of $125,512.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Matthews 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.
Matthews, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A actuary earning $124,131 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $132,619 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$100,250
2025 BLS Actual
$120,282
2026 Current Est.
$124,131
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Matthews (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $100,250 | Actual |
| 2020 | $102,730 | Actual |
| 2021 | $97,984 | Actual |
| 2022 | $105,469 | Actual |
| 2023 | $111,030 | Actual |
| 2024 | $115,655 | Actual |
| 2025 | $120,282 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $124,131 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $128,103 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Matthews metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $100,250 (2019) to $120,282 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $128,103 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,853 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Matthews 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) | $76,074 – $93,207 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $93,207 – $124,131 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $124,131 – $158,447 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $158,447 – $192,403 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Matthews
Eight actuaries are currently employed in Matthews, suggesting a niche but stable job market for this profession. Given the local cost of living index at 93.6, which is slightly below the national average, actuaries can enjoy a better purchasing power relative to their salaries compared to many other parts of the U.S. Notably, life insurance companies like Prudential and MetLife often provide competitive compensation packages, especially for those with advanced credentials like FSA or FCAS. The disparity in salary between entry-level positions and more experienced actuaries is largely driven by exam progression, where each passed exam can elevate pay significantly. For those seeking to maximize their earning potential in Matthews NC, focusing on obtaining relevant designations while developing skills in predictive analytics and consulting can provide an edge in this evolving job market.
More salary data for Matthews, 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 $120,282 for actuariesin the Matthews 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 Matthews 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