Actuary Salary in Sanford, NC: $123,809 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Sanford, NC earns a median $123,809/year (≈ $59.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Sanford's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $132,275 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Sanford, North Carolina, actuaries can expect an impressive median annual salary of $123,809 in 2026, reflecting local estimates from BLS state-level data adjusted for regional living costs. The salary range for this profession is quite diverse, spanning from a lower threshold of $75,337 for entry-level positions (P10) to a high of $191,905 for well-experienced professionals (P90). As this area becomes increasingly important for the actuarial field, the financial incentives available indicate a competitive job market for actuaries prepared to excel through rigorous exam progression, where each successive exam passed typically realizes additional compensation.
About the Sanford Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,337 | $36.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $92,567 | $44.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $123,809 | $59.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $158,476 | $76.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $191,905 | $92.26 |
Median Salary Position
7.72% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sanford
In Sanford, NC, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $116,568 (2026 est.). At $123,809, the local median is 7.72% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sanford: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sanford Actuary Pay Compares
Sanford median: $123,809/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sanford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $125,567 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $134,160 | -7.72% less |
Actuarys in Sanford, NC earn a median of $123,809 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.72% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 1.40% below the North Carolina state average of $125,567.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sanford 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.
Sanford, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A actuary earning $123,809 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $132,275 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$99,990
2025 BLS Actual
$119,970
2026 Current Est.
$123,809
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Sanford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $99,990 | Actual |
| 2020 | $102,464 | Actual |
| 2021 | $97,729 | Actual |
| 2022 | $105,195 | Actual |
| 2023 | $110,742 | Actual |
| 2024 | $115,356 | Actual |
| 2025 | $119,970 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $123,809 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $127,771 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sanford metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $99,990 (2019) to $119,970 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $127,771 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,781 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sanford 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) | $75,337 – $92,567 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $92,567 – $123,809 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $123,809 – $158,476 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $158,476 – $191,905 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Sanford
The actuarial job market in Sanford supports a small yet specialized population, with just five actuaries employed in the area. The cost of living index in this region stands at 93.6, below the national average, which translates to improved purchasing power for actuaries, making salaries stretch further. Employers among the local firms span various sectors, including life insurance companies like Prudential and MetLife, along with health insurers such as UnitedHealth and Anthem. High salaries are often commanded by professionals working in property and casualty insurance or consulting firms, particularly for those who achieve Fellowship status (FSA/FCAS). The disparity in pay levels in Sanford can be attributed to several factors—including exam progression, credential advancement, and specialization. Actuaries aiming to maximize their compensation should consider developing skills in predictive analytics and other emerging areas, while strategically pursuing additional exams to enhance their qualifications and marketability.
More salary data for Sanford, 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 $119,970 for actuariesin the Sanford 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 Sanford 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