Actuary Salary in Goose Creek, SC: $117,878 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Goose Creek, SC earns a median $117,878/year (≈ $56.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Goose Creek's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $128,828 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Goose Creek, South Carolina, the estimated median annual salary for an actuary is projected to be $117,878 in 2026. This figure falls below the national median of $134,160, reflecting a difference of about 12.14%. The pay range locally varies significantly, from approximately $76,799 at the 10th percentile to $182,711 at the 90th percentile, signaling diverse opportunities based on experience and expertise. Local estimates derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parities provide a compelling picture of compensation. Notably, Goose Creek’s job market may be driven by firms specializing in life insurance, health insurance, and consulting, and actuaries in these sectors could find varying fulfillment of their career potential.
About the Goose Creek Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,799 | $36.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $88,891 | $42.74 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $117,878 | $56.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $150,884 | $72.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $182,711 | $87.84 |
Median Salary Position
12.14% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Goose Creek
In Goose Creek, SC, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $105,912 (2026 est.). At $117,878, the local median is 12.14% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Goose Creek: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Goose Creek Actuary Pay Compares
Goose Creek median: $117,878/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Goose Creek Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $122,790 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $134,160 | -12.14% less |
Actuarys in Goose Creek, SC earn a median of $117,878 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.14% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 4.00% below the South Carolina state average of $122,790.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Goose Creek has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Goose Creek, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A actuary earning $117,878 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $128,828 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$95,200
2025 BLS Actual
$114,223
2026 Current Est.
$117,878
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Goose Creek (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $95,200 | Actual |
| 2020 | $97,555 | Actual |
| 2021 | $93,048 | Actual |
| 2022 | $100,156 | Actual |
| 2023 | $105,437 | Actual |
| 2024 | $94,893 | Actual |
| 2025 | $114,223 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $117,878 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $121,650 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Goose Creek metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew 20.0% from $95,200 (2019) to $114,223 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $121,650 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,450 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Goose Creek 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) | $76,799 – $88,891 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $88,891 – $117,878 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $117,878 – $150,884 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $150,884 – $182,711 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Goose Creek
With only 11 actuaries currently employed in Goose Creek, the local job market for actuaries offers a tight-knit community where professionals can face specific challenges. The cost of living index in Goose Creek stands at 91.5, which is below the national average, offering residents the potential for enhanced purchasing power despite salaries lagging behind national figures. Employers such as Prudential and UnitedHealth may provide the highest salaries among local companies, particularly for professionals who progress through exams and attain higher credentials like the FSA or FCAS. The variation in actuary pay within Goose Creek can be attributed to factors such as differences in specialty markets—where property and casualty roles often outweigh life roles in compensation—and the significance of additional incentives like signing bonuses for credential completion. Therefore, aspiring actuaries should focus on maximizing their qualifications and consider the benefits of pursuing employment with firms that value certification and experience in their pay structures.
More salary data for Goose Creek, 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 $114,223 for actuariesin the Goose Creek 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 Goose Creek 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