Actuary Salary in Harrisburg, PA: $110,011 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Harrisburg, PA earns a median $110,011/year (≈ $52.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Harrisburg's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.7), that paycheck buys what $111,516 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 15.8% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the 2026 median annual salary for actuaries is set at $110,011, reflecting a significant disparity compared to the national median of $134,160. This compensation framework is derived from the latest available data based on 2025 BLS OEWS research, projecting a salary range that spans from $74,273 at the 10th percentile to $167,287 at the 90th percentile. Notably, actuaries in this city encounter a distinct pay gradient between consulting firms like Milliman and Mercer, which typically offer higher salaries to credentialed professionals, compared to traditional insurance companies. The job market here is characterized by its unique blend of opportunities, suggesting that local actuaries can carve out lucrative careers particularly if they navigate their examination sequences strategically.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,273 | $35.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,055 | $39.93 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $110,011 | $52.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $143,995 | $69.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $167,287 | $80.42 |
Median Salary Position
18% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Harrisburg
In Harrisburg, PA, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $93,014 (2026 est.). At $110,011, the local median is 18% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Harrisburg: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Harrisburg Actuary Pay Compares
Harrisburg median: $110,011/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Harrisburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $130,655 | -15.80% less |
| National Average | $134,160 | -18.00% less |
Actuarys in Harrisburg, PA earn a median of $110,011 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.00% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 15.80% below the Pennsylvania state average of $130,655.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Harrisburg has a cost of living 1.35% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Harrisburg, PA has a cost-of-living index of 98.65 (below the national average of 100). A actuary earning $110,011 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $111,516 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.37% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$112,750
2025 BLS Actual
$106,600
2026 Current Est.
$110,011
2019–2027 Growth
+0.7%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Harrisburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $112,750 | Actual |
| 2020 | $115,690 | Actual |
| 2021 | $86,838 | Actual |
| 2022 | $93,472 | Actual |
| 2023 | $104,310 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,700 | Actual |
| 2025 | $106,600 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $110,011 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $113,532 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Harrisburg metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew -5.5% from $112,750 (2019) to $106,600 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $113,532 by 2027 — a total increase of $782 (0.69%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Harrisburg 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) | $74,273 – $83,055 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,055 – $110,011 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $110,011 – $143,995 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $143,995 – $167,287 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Harrisburg
Within the context of a relatively stable job market, Harrisburg employs approximately 120 actuaries, emphasizing the viability and demand for this profession in the area. The cost of living index at 98.65 indicates that overall living expenses are slightly below the national average, which positively influences take-home pay for actuaries. Employers such as Prudential and UnitedHealth are noted for their competitive compensation packages, with higher pay often available in the consulting sector compared to insurance roles. Moreover, the variance in salaries is largely driven by factors such as exam progression and specialization; the jump from ASA to FSA significantly impacts earnings potential, as does the actuarial specialty area, with property and casualty roles generally commanding higher pay than life or health sectors. To maximize earnings in Harrisburg, aspiring actuaries should focus on continuous education, completing exams promptly, and targeting consulting positions while developing expertise in analytics.
More salary data for Harrisburg, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do actuaries make in Harrisburg, PA in 2026?
Is Harrisburg, PA a good place to work as a actuary?
Can actuaries make $100K in Harrisburg?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted actuary salary in Harrisburg?
How much does a actuary make per hour in Harrisburg?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Pennsylvania
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 $106,600 for actuariesin the Harrisburg 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-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