Actuary Salary in Altoona, PA: $125,753 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Altoona, PA earns a median $125,753/year (≈ $60.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Altoona's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.4), that paycheck buys what $129,110 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Actuaries in Altoona, Pennsylvania, can expect a 2026 median salary of $125,753, reflecting the local job market and cost of living adjustments. The salary range for this role varies significantly, from a salary of $82,245 at the lower end to as high as $194,918 for those at the top of the scale. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, which highlights how compensation for actuaries in Altoona is around 6.27% lower than the national median of $134,160. The local job market currently supports nine actuaries, who likely benefit from the upward trend in salaries driven by the growth rate of 3.20% annual. This insight suggests that while the pay may not be the highest compared to national averages, there are opportunities for growth and advancement through examinations and experience.
About the Altoona Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,245 | $39.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $95,185 | $45.76 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $125,753 | $60.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $160,964 | $77.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $194,918 | $93.71 |
Median Salary Position
6.27% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Altoona
In Altoona, PA, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $112,673 (2026 est.). At $125,753, the local median is 6.27% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Altoona: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Altoona Actuary Pay Compares
Altoona median: $125,753/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Altoona Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $130,721 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $134,160 | -6.27% less |
Actuarys in Altoona, PA earn a median of $125,753 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.27% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 3.80% below the Pennsylvania state average of $130,721.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Altoona has a cost of living 2.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Altoona, PA has a cost-of-living index of 97.4 (below the national average of 100). A actuary earning $125,753 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $129,110 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.67% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$101,561
2025 BLS Actual
$121,854
2026 Current Est.
$125,753
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Altoona (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $101,561 | Actual |
| 2020 | $104,073 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,264 | Actual |
| 2022 | $106,847 | Actual |
| 2023 | $112,481 | Actual |
| 2024 | $119,979 | Actual |
| 2025 | $121,854 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $125,753 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $129,777 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Altoona metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $101,561 (2019) to $121,854 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $129,777 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,216 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Altoona 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) | $82,245 – $95,185 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $95,185 – $125,753 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $125,753 – $160,964 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $160,964 – $194,918 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Altoona
In terms of local job market dynamics, the cost of living in Altoona, with a cost of living index of 97.4, means that actuaries can enjoy a reasonable purchasing power despite the slightly lower salaries compared to the national averages. Leading employers in the region include life and health insurance companies such as Prudential and UnitedHealth, which typically offer the most competitive pay packages for actuaries. The disparity in compensation often arises from various factors, including exam progression, where each passed exam can increase pay significantly, and differences in credential levels between ASA/ACAS and FSA/FCAS. For those looking to maximize their actuary salary in Altoona PA, focusing on advancing through exams, gaining experience in specialized areas such as property & casualty insurance or consulting, and pursuing positions with larger firms could yield higher financial rewards.
More salary data for Altoona, PA:
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 $121,854 for actuariesin the Altoona 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 Altoona 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