Actuary Salary in Columbia, SC: $137,318 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Columbia, SC earns a median $137,318/year (≈ $66.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Columbia's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.7), that paycheck buys what $146,610 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.9% above the South Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Actuaries in Columbia, South Carolina, enjoy a median annual salary of $137,318, reflecting a robust compensation structure that exceeds the national average by 2.35%. This job market offers a considerable salary range, with entry-level positions starting at $67,740 and experienced professionals potentially earning up to $235,895. The figures presented here are derived from the 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, highlighting not only competitive base salaries but also the growth dynamics within the profession. With the ongoing demand for actuarial expertise in insurance, healthcare, and consulting sectors, Columbia presents a promising environment for aspiring and established actuaries alike.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,740 | $32.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $100,011 | $48.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $137,318 | $66.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $176,224 | $84.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $235,895 | $113.42 |
Median Salary Position
2.35% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Columbia
In Columbia, SC, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $168,155 (2026 est.). At $137,318, the local median is 2.35% above the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Columbia: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Columbia Actuary Pay Compares
Columbia median: $137,318/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Columbia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $122,715 | +11.90% more |
| National Average | $134,160 | +2.35% more |
Actuarys in Columbia, SC earn a median of $137,318 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.35% higher than the national median of $134,160 and 11.90% above the South Carolina state average of $122,715.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Columbia has a cost of living 6.34% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Columbia, SC has a cost-of-living index of 93.662 (below the national average of 100). A actuary earning $137,318 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $146,610 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.77% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$78,690
2025 BLS Actual
$133,060
2026 Current Est.
$137,318
2019–2027 Growth
+80.1%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Columbia (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 | $108,393 | Actual |
| 2022 | $111,460 | Actual |
| 2023 | $117,170 | Actual |
| 2024 | $104,720 | Actual |
| 2025 | $133,060 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $137,318 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $141,712 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Columbia metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 69.1% from $78,690 (2019) to $133,060 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $141,712 by 2027 — a total increase of $63,022 (80.09%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Columbia 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) | $67,740 – $100,011 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $100,011 – $137,318 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $137,318 – $176,224 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $176,224 – $235,895 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Columbia
In Columbia, approximately 80 actuaries are employed, a figure that underscores the city's growing acceptance of actuarial roles. The cost-of-living index stands at 93.662, suggesting that earnings here provide a favorable purchasing power compared to the national average. Major local employers, such as UnitedHealth and Prudential, tend to offer some of the higher compensation packages, leveraging strong benefits aimed at attracting top talent. The broad salary range often stems from variables like exam progression, where each passed exam equates to an increase of $3,000 to $8,000 in salary, and specialization fields, which can drastically influence pay. For those pursuing maximum earnings, expanding one’s qualifications by completing the ASA-to-FSA path or developing predictive analytics skills can provide a significant advantage in this competitive landscape.
More salary data for Columbia, SC:
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 $133,060 for actuariesin the Columbia 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, 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