Actuary Salary in South Carolina: $125,729 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across South Carolina's 26 metropolitan areas, the average median actuary pay sits at $125,729/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 15-2011. Because South Carolina sits at BEA RPP 91.5 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $137,409 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Columbia ($133,060), Charleston ($122,749), North Charleston ($122,701).
In South Carolina, the projected average median salary for actuaries in 2026 is $125,730, which is about 6.3% lower than the national median of $134,160. The highest salary for actuaries is found in Columbia at $137,318, while the lowest is in Clemson at $113,041. This $24,277 salary gap can be attributed to factors such as cost of living differences, local demand for actuarial services, and the presence of major employers in certain areas like Columbia. Actuaries in South Carolina must meet state licensing requirements and adhere to scope of practice laws, which may differ from those in other states. The regional demand is driven by sectors such as insurance, finance, and healthcare. The job market for actuaries shows a promising growth rate of 3.20% annually, indicating a steady demand for qualified professionals. Furthermore, the top cities for actuary employment include Charleston at $126,677, North Charleston at $126,627, Mount Pleasant at $124,557, and Greenville at $123,624. Each city's salary reflects local economic conditions, which contribute to the overall employment landscape in the state.
South Carolina Actuary Salary Range
Overall salary range in South Carolina: $67,740 (lowest entry-level) to $235,895 (highest top earner)
South Carolina vs National Average
South Carolina actuaries earn 6.28% less than the national median ($-8,431/year difference).
South Carolina Actuary Salary Distribution (2026)
Actuary salaries in South Carolina range from $72,529 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $201,157 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $125,729. The South Carolina median is $8,431 below the US national median of $134,160. The average hourly rate is $60.45/hr. Approximately 291 actuarys are employed across 26 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$78,690
2025 BLS Actual
$121,831
2026 Current Est.
$125,729
2019–2027 Growth
+64.9%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in South Carolina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78,690 | Actual |
| 2020 | $79,580 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,245 | Actual |
| 2022 | $101,347 | Actual |
| 2023 | $117,170 | Actual |
| 2024 | $97,609 | Actual |
| 2025 | $121,831 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $125,729 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $129,753 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Carolina metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 54.8% from $78,690 (2019) to $121,831 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $129,753 by 2027 — a total increase of $51,063 (64.89%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Carolina 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 South Carolina
Lowest Paying Cities in South Carolina
Best Value Cities for Actuaries in South Carolina
When adjusted for local cost of living, these South Carolina cities offer the most purchasing power for actuaries.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | $137,318 | 93.662 | $146,610 |
| Charleston | $126,677 | 91.5 | $138,445 |
| North Charleston | $126,627 | 91.5 | $138,390 |
| Mount Pleasant | $124,557 | 91.5 | $136,128 |
| Greenville | $123,624 | 91.5 | $135,108 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in South Carolina
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $72,529 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $125,729 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $201,157 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across South Carolina metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 26 Cities in South Carolina
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbia | $137,318 |
| 2 | Charleston | $126,677 |
| 3 | North Charleston | $126,627 |
| 4 | Mount Pleasant | $124,557 |
| 5 | Greenville | $123,624 |
| 6 | Rock Hill | $122,263 |
| 7 | Greer | $121,946 |
| 8 | Hilton Head Island | $121,936 |
| 9 | Anderson | $121,822 |
| 10 | Aiken | $121,726 |
| 11 | Hanahan | $121,555 |
| 12 | Mauldin | $120,841 |
| 13 | Myrtle Beach | $120,755 |
| 14 | Summerville | $120,192 |
| 15 | Florence | $119,184 |
| 16 | Spartanburg | $119,135 |
| 17 | Simpsonville | $118,211 |
| 18 | Fort Mill | $118,156 |
| 19 | Goose Creek | $117,878 |
| 20 | Sumter | $116,907 |
| 21 | Bluffton | $116,811 |
| 22 | Lexington | $115,949 |
| 23 | Easley | $113,881 |
| 24 | Conway | $113,263 |
| 25 | Tega Cay | $113,254 |
| 26 | Clemson | $113,041 |
More South Carolina Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore actuary hourly pay in South Carolina cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced actuaries.
Explore More Actuary Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do actuaries make in South Carolina in 2026?
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How does South Carolina actuary pay compare to the national average?
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Which South Carolina 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 South Carolina. State averages are employment-weighted across 26 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, 6-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