Actuary Salary in Houston, TX: $84,283 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time actuary in Houston, TX earns a median $84,283/year (≈ $40.52/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2011). Once you factor in Houston's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.6), that paycheck buys what $85,455 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 34.6% below the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the actuary salary in Houston is projected to reach $84,283 annually, reflecting a significant disparity compared to the national median of $134,160. This figure illustrates the local market’s current state, where salaries range from $60,496 at the 10th percentile to $189,031 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlights the potential for growth within the industry but indicates that how much do actuaries make in Houston is notably lower than the national average. With the market poised for a growth rate of 3.20% annually, opportunities may increase, especially for those pursuing further credentials and experience in this vibrant Texas city.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $60,496 | $29.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,496 | $29.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,283 | $40.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $135,718 | $65.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $189,031 | $90.88 |
Median Salary Position
37.18% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Houston
In Houston, TX, the actuary salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $128,535 (2026 est.). At $84,283, the local median is 37.18% below the national median of $134,160.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Houston: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Houston Actuary Pay Compares
Houston median: $84,283/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Houston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $128,874 | -34.60% less |
| National Average | $134,160 | -37.18% less |
Actuarys in Houston, TX earn a median of $84,283 per year (2026 est.), which is 37.18% lower than the national median of $134,160 and 34.60% below the Texas state average of $128,874.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Houston has a cost of living 1.37% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Houston, TX has a cost-of-living index of 98.629 (below the national average of 100). A actuary earning $84,283 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $85,455 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.39% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$96,750
2025 BLS Actual
$81,670
2026 Current Est.
$84,283
2019–2027 Growth
+-10.1%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Houston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $96,750 | Actual |
| 2020 | $103,060 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,770 | Actual |
| 2022 | $110,600 | Actual |
| 2023 | $119,240 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,690 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,670 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,283 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,981 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Houston metropolitan area, the median actuary salary grew -15.6% from $96,750 (2019) to $81,670 (2025). At a 3.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,981 by 2027 — a total increase of $-9,769 (-10.10%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Houston 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) | $60,496 – $60,496 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,496 – $84,283 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,283 – $135,718 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $135,718 – $189,031 |
ASA, FSA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual actuary compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Actuary Job Market in Houston
In Houston, approximately 390 actuaries are employed, providing a relatively stable job market despite the lower pay compared to national averages. The cost-of-living index sits at 98.629, suggesting that take-home purchasing power can still be favorable for many professionals. Life insurance companies like Prudential and MetLife often lead in local compensation, but consulting firms such as Mercer and Aon might provide competitive pay for qualified FSAs/FCAS candidates, particularly those skilled in data analytics. The wage disparity in this market can often be traced back to exam progression—each passed exam typically results in an increase of $3,000 to $8,000 in base pay. To maximize earnings in Houston TX, aspiring actuaries should focus on achieving fellow status while honing specialized skills, as this aligns closely with higher compensation in property and casualty reinsurance and consulting sectors.
More salary data for Houston, TX:
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 $81,670 for actuariesin the Houston 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