Actuary Salary in Pennsylvania: $127,269 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Pennsylvania's 24 metropolitan areas, the average median actuary pay sits at $127,269/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 15-2011. Because Pennsylvania sits at BEA RPP 97.4 (3% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $130,666 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Bethlehem ($128,407), Philadelphia ($127,770), Allentown ($125,641).
In Pennsylvania, the projected average median salary for actuaries in 2026 is $127,268, which is approximately 5.1% below the national median of $134,160. The salary range across the state varies significantly, with Bethlehem leading at $132,516 and Harrisburg at the lower end with $110,011. This $22,505 gap is influenced by factors such as cost of living, demand for actuarial services, and the concentration of financial industries in certain metro areas. Pennsylvania's regulatory environment includes specific licensing requirements that actuaries must fulfill, such as passing a series of exams and obtaining certification from professional organizations. The demand for actuaries is driven by the need for risk assessment in insurance, finance, and healthcare, contributing to an expected annual growth rate of 3.20% in jobs by 2026. The top projected cities for actuarial salaries in Pennsylvania include Philadelphia at $131,859, Allentown at $129,662, and Williamsport at $129,444, indicating a healthy job market in areas with financial sector presence and educational institutions focused on actuarial science. Overall, the outlook for actuarial careers in Pennsylvania remains positive, with room for growth and variance in earnings based on location.
Pennsylvania Actuary Salary Range
Overall salary range in Pennsylvania: $73,673 (lowest entry-level) to $225,348 (highest top earner)
Pennsylvania vs National Average
Pennsylvania actuaries earn 5.14% less than the national median ($-6,891/year difference).
Pennsylvania Actuary Salary Distribution (2026)
Actuary salaries in Pennsylvania range from $81,941 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $209,984 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $127,269. The Pennsylvania median is $6,891 below the US national median of $134,160. The average hourly rate is $61.19/hr. Approximately 1,306 actuarys are employed across 24 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$109,954
2025 BLS Actual
$123,322
2026 Current Est.
$127,269
2019–2027 Growth
+19.5%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Pennsylvania (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $109,954 | Actual |
| 2020 | $110,662 | Actual |
| 2021 | $112,928 | Actual |
| 2022 | $109,371 | Actual |
| 2023 | $125,654 | Actual |
| 2024 | $122,728 | Actual |
| 2025 | $123,322 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $127,269 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $131,341 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pennsylvania metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 12.2% from $109,954 (2019) to $123,322 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $131,341 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,387 (19.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pennsylvania 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Pennsylvania
Lowest Paying Cities in Pennsylvania
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Harrisburg | $110,011 |
| Scranton | $113,830 |
| Pittsburgh | $121,363 |
| West Chester | $122,335 |
| Pottstown | $123,239 |
Best Value Cities for Actuaries in Pennsylvania
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Pennsylvania cities offer the most purchasing power for actuaries.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bethlehem | $132,516 | 97.4 | $136,053 |
| Allentown | $129,662 | 97.4 | $133,123 |
| Williamsport | $129,444 | 97.4 | $132,899 |
| Reading | $128,832 | 97.4 | $132,271 |
| Lebanon | $128,744 | 97.4 | $132,181 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Pennsylvania
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $81,941 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $127,269 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $209,984 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Pennsylvania metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 24 Cities in Pennsylvania
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bethlehem | $132,516 |
| 2 | Philadelphia | $131,859 |
| 3 | Allentown | $129,662 |
| 4 | Williamsport | $129,444 |
| 5 | Reading | $128,832 |
| 6 | Lebanon | $128,744 |
| 7 | Wilkes-Barre | $128,592 |
| 8 | Erie | $128,181 |
| 9 | Lancaster | $127,508 |
| 10 | Hazleton | $126,807 |
| 11 | Norristown | $126,564 |
| 12 | Chester | $126,270 |
| 13 | Altoona | $125,753 |
| 14 | New Castle | $125,018 |
| 15 | Chambersburg | $124,949 |
| 16 | York | $124,688 |
| 17 | State College | $124,607 |
| 18 | Easton | $124,577 |
| 19 | Johnstown | $124,232 |
| 20 | Pottstown | $123,239 |
| 21 | West Chester | $122,335 |
| 22 | Pittsburgh | $121,363 |
| 23 | Scranton | $113,830 |
| 24 | Harrisburg | $110,011 |
More Pennsylvania Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced actuaries.
Compare Cities in Pennsylvania
View all comparisons →Explore More Actuary Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do actuaries make in Pennsylvania in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for actuaries in Pennsylvania?
How does Pennsylvania actuary pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level actuary salary in Pennsylvania?
How many actuaries are employed in Pennsylvania?
Which Pennsylvania city offers the best value for actuaries?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 actuary compensation across Pennsylvania. State averages are employment-weighted across 24 metro areas — larger metro areas with more actuariescontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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