Actuary Salary in New Bern, NC: $123,146 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in New Bern, NC earns a median $123,146/year (≈ $59.21/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in New Bern's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $131,566 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In New Bern, NC, the projected 2026 median salary for an actuary stands at $123,146, reflecting a competitive position in the job market compared to the national median of $134,160. Salary ranges are quite diverse, from $74,349 at the 10th percentile to $190,877 at the 90th percentile. These figures, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, are adjusted for local costs, indicating that while New Bern's actuarial salaries are slightly lower than the national average, candidates can still find well-paying opportunities. Consulting firms like Milliman, Mercer, and WTW often offer higher salaries than traditional insurers, setting a distinct pay gradient that can influence candidates' career choices.
About the New Bern Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,349 | $35.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $91,256 | $43.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $123,146 | $59.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $157,628 | $75.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $190,877 | $91.77 |
Median Salary Position
8.21% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in New Bern
In New Bern, NC, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $116,528 (2026 est.). At $123,146, the local median is 8.21% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in New Bern: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How New Bern Actuary Pay Compares
New Bern median: $123,146/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | New Bern Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $125,532 | -1.90% less |
| National Average | $134,160 | -8.21% less |
Actuarys in New Bern, NC earn a median of $123,146 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.21% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 1.90% below the North Carolina state average of $125,532.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
New Bern 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.
New Bern, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A actuary earning $123,146 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $131,566 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$99,455
2025 BLS Actual
$119,328
2026 Current Est.
$123,146
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in New Bern (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $99,455 | Actual |
| 2020 | $101,915 | Actual |
| 2021 | $97,206 | Actual |
| 2022 | $104,632 | Actual |
| 2023 | $110,149 | Actual |
| 2024 | $114,738 | Actual |
| 2025 | $119,328 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $123,146 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $127,087 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Bern metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $99,455 (2019) to $119,328 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $127,087 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,632 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Bern 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) | $74,349 – $91,256 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $91,256 – $123,146 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $123,146 – $157,628 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $157,628 – $190,877 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in New Bern
The local job market features seven actuaries, indicating a small yet meaningful community within New Bern. With a cost-of-living index of 93.6, residents enjoy favorable purchasing power, which can somewhat mitigate the salary differences when compared to larger metropolitan areas. Among the various employers, consulting firms typically provide the highest compensation packages, followed closely by life insurance companies like Prudential and MetLife. The variance in salaries stems from several factors, including exam progression and the level of professional credentials. Actuaries advancing from ASA to FSA may see significant pay increases, as can those specializing in areas like property and casualty or consulting. For actuaries aiming to maximize their pay in New Bern, focusing on passing exams and acquiring relevant VEE credits can be beneficial strategies, as each completed step in the exam process generally translates to increased base salary.
More salary data for New Bern, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do actuaries make in New Bern, NC in 2026?
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Can actuaries make $100K in New Bern?
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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 $119,328 for actuariesin the New Bern 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 New Bern 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