Actuary Salary in Wilkes-Barre, PA: $128,592 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Wilkes-Barre, PA earns a median $128,592/year (≈ $61.83/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Wilkes-Barre's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.4), that paycheck buys what $132,025 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Actuaries specializing in life, health, and pension from the Society of Actuaries (SOA) will find a median salary of $128,592 in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. This represents a slight dip of 4.15% when compared to the national median of $134,160. Salaries in the area can span significantly, from $77,841 at the lower end to $199,318 for the top earners. These figures are projected for 2026 and are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic conditions. The job market for actuaries in Wilkes-Barre is relatively small but poised for growth, as companies increasingly recognize the value of actuarial expertise in risk assessment and financial planning.
About the Wilkes-Barre Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,841 | $37.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $95,843 | $46.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $128,592 | $61.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $164,598 | $79.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $199,318 | $95.82 |
Median Salary Position
4.15% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wilkes-Barre
In Wilkes-Barre, PA, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $121,477 (2026 est.). At $128,592, the local median is 4.15% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wilkes-Barre: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wilkes-Barre Actuary Pay Compares
Wilkes-Barre median: $128,592/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wilkes-Barre Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $130,683 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $134,160 | -4.15% less |
Actuarys in Wilkes-Barre, PA earn a median of $128,592 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.15% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 1.60% below the Pennsylvania state average of $130,683.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wilkes-Barre 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.
Wilkes-Barre, PA has a cost-of-living index of 97.4 (below the national average of 100). A actuary earning $128,592 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $132,025 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.67% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$103,853
2025 BLS Actual
$124,605
2026 Current Est.
$128,592
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Wilkes-Barre (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $103,853 | Actual |
| 2020 | $106,422 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,505 | Actual |
| 2022 | $109,259 | Actual |
| 2023 | $115,020 | Actual |
| 2024 | $122,688 | Actual |
| 2025 | $124,605 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $128,592 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $132,707 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wilkes-Barre metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $103,853 (2019) to $124,605 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $132,707 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,854 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilkes-Barre 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) | $77,841 – $95,843 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $95,843 – $128,592 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $128,592 – $164,598 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $164,598 – $199,318 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Wilkes-Barre
In Wilkes-Barre, only 11 actuaries are currently employed, which offers a tight-knit professional community that can also pose challenges concerning job competition. The cost of living index at 97.4 indicates that, while salaries may be slightly lower than the national average, purchasing power remains manageable for residents. Employers in Wilkes-Barre include major insurance firms such as Prudential and MetLife, which tend to offer competitive pay, particularly for those with completed credentials. Advancement in salary is typically linked to exam progression, with each passed exam yielding increases of $3,000 to $8,000 in base pay. To maximize actuary pay in Wilkes-Barre, professionals should focus on achieving their FSA or FCAS designations, as those with these credentials are more likely to secure higher-paying roles in consulting agencies, where demand for specialized skills in predictive analytics is on the rise.
More salary data for Wilkes-Barre, 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 $124,605 for actuariesin the Wilkes-Barre 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 Wilkes-Barre 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