Actuary Salary in Pittsburgh, PA: $121,363 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Pittsburgh, PA earns a median $121,363/year (≈ $58.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Pittsburgh's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 94.7), that paycheck buys what $128,194 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.1% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, actuary salaries in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, present a competitive picture, with a median annual salary of $121,363, which is slightly below the national median of $134,160. The salary range for actuaries in the area varies significantly, stretching from $75,584 at the 10th percentile to an impressive $185,677 at the 90th percentile. This pay gradient is particularly influenced by the sector in which actuaries find themselves, with consulting firms like Milliman, Mercer, and WTW generally offering higher compensation compared to traditional insurers. The data derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys reveals that Pittsburgh's job market for actuaries supports approximately 170 professionals, showcasing a steady demand for expertise in risk assessment and financial modeling within the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,584 | $36.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $91,611 | $44.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $121,363 | $58.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $150,579 | $72.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $185,677 | $89.27 |
Median Salary Position
9.54% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pittsburgh
In Pittsburgh, PA, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $110,093 (2026 est.). At $121,363, the local median is 9.54% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pittsburgh: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pittsburgh Actuary Pay Compares
Pittsburgh median: $121,363/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pittsburgh Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $130,639 | -7.10% less |
| National Average | $134,160 | -9.54% less |
Actuarys in Pittsburgh, PA earn a median of $121,363 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.54% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 7.10% below the Pennsylvania state average of $130,639.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pittsburgh has a cost of living 5.33% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pittsburgh, PA has a cost-of-living index of 94.671 (below the national average of 100). A actuary earning $121,363 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $128,194 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.63% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$115,050
2025 BLS Actual
$117,600
2026 Current Est.
$121,363
2019–2027 Growth
+8.9%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Pittsburgh (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $115,050 | Actual |
| 2020 | $114,110 | Actual |
| 2021 | $97,970 | Actual |
| 2022 | $101,370 | Actual |
| 2023 | $118,730 | Actual |
| 2024 | $99,700 | Actual |
| 2025 | $117,600 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $121,363 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $125,247 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pittsburgh metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 2.2% from $115,050 (2019) to $117,600 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $125,247 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,197 (8.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pittsburgh 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) | $75,584 – $91,611 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $91,611 – $121,363 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $121,363 – $150,579 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $150,579 – $185,677 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Pittsburgh
Evaluating the local employment landscape, Pittsburgh's actuaries benefit from a cost-of-living index of 94.671, indicating a lower-than-national-average living expense, which enhances their take-home purchasing power. Within this market, salary potential often varies depending on the employer, with life insurance companies such as Prudential and MetLife as well as consulting firms commanding some of the highest pay rates. The notable wage discrepancies between the lower and upper ends of the salary spectrum can be attributed to factors such as exam progression, specialization (e.g., Property & Casualty versus life/health), and credential levels, where each passed exam typically translates to a pay increase of $3,000 to $8,000. For actuaries seeking to maximize their compensation in Pittsburgh, prioritizing completion of fellowships (FSA/FCAS) and developing skills in predictive analytics or data science can be particularly advantageous, given their increasing relevance in the field.
More salary data for Pittsburgh, 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 $117,600 for actuariesin the Pittsburgh 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, 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